Boom Towns! opens to warm reception

Tuesday night, Boom Towns! Chicago Architects Design New Worlds, the exhibition I guest curated for the Chicago Architecture Foundation, had its opening reception. Having never done this before, my nightmare vision was that it would be like this:
Fortunately, in actuality, it was more like - in fact, it was exactly like - this:
My fears, of course, were groundless. CAF is a pro at this, and they know how to throw a good party. Thanks to all the architects, readers and correspondents I was able to meet - many for the first time - and talk with. The architects, in particular, were very patient in dealing with my rampant anxieties and assuring me they were pleased with the presentation of their spectacular projects in Asia and the Middle East. (My apologies, however, to the descendants of the great Chicago architect Solon S. Beman for misspelling his name somewhat more often than I got it right.)

For those who are gluttons for punishment, I will be giving three, free 30 minute "Curator Talks", Tuesday September 30th 5:3o to 6:00 P.M., Saturday, October 18th, 11 A.M. to 11:30 A.M., and Friday, November 7th, 12:30 to 1 :00 P.M. Gather at ArcelorMittal CitySpace Gallery at 224 South Michigan.

The CAF has also arranged for gallery visits at three of the firms whose work is on display in the exhibition, including Adrian Smith+Gordon Gill Architecture LLP on October 28, Goettsch Partners on November 6th, and Skidmore, Owings and Merrill LLP on November 11th. $15.00, $10.00 for CAF members and students. These are rare opportunities and space is limited, so if you're interested, I'd book your reservation now, here. You can see all of CAF's upcoming Boom Towns! programs, including two that will be co-sponsored and part of this year's Chicago Humanities Festival, here.

And also make sure to catch Shanghai Transforming, curated by architect and urban planner and the guy who brought us all those great Tschotskes back from Xintiandi, Iker Gill. A companion to Iker's book of the same name, it's a great look at one an old city that is also one of the 21st century Book Towns "immersed in a deep physical transformation." Shanghai opens October 14th and runs through January 9th.

Boom Towns runs through November 21st.