“THINKING OF YOU. I MEAN ME. I MEAN YOU.”

For nearly five decades, Barbara Kruger has used sourced imagery with provocative text to reflect on mass consumerism, power cycles, and our relationship with one another. Never one to slow down, the artist has unveiled a new body of work, entitled “THINKING OF YOU. I MEAN ME. I MEAN YOU.” at The Art Institute of Chicago. 

Despite featuring older work, it is important to note that the exhibition is not a retrospective, because Kruger has worked with the museum’s staff to reinvent many of her past artworks to uniquely inhabit the halls and galleries of the Art Institute. Examples of this can be seen in several type-heavy displays, such as “Untitled (Griffin Court),” 2020 and “Untitled (Cast of Characters),” 2020. This flexibility is possible because of the largely typographic nature of her practice, along with the timeless messaging that has held a grim prominence throughout her career.

Kruger’s work will not only fill the 8,000 square-foot Regenstein Hall, but will also be mapped out across the Michigan Avenue facade, lobby, and ticketing areas; the Modern Wing facade; Griffin Court and the Balcony Café; the Alsdorf Galleries windows that look onto the train tracks; the stairs in the Rice building; and several elevators throughout the campus.

“THINKING OF YOU. I MEAN ME. I MEAN YOU.” is on view at the Art Institute of Chicago until January 24. To accompany the exhibition, the museum has also released a book that provides an added layer of depth.

Posted by: TAWD on November 11, 2021