Since the beginning of his career, the multidisciplinary work of late visionary artist and designer Virgil Abloh (Rockford, Illinois, 1980–2021, Chicago, Illinois) has reshaped how we understand the role of fashion, art, design, and music in contemporary culture. Virgil Abloh: “Figures of Speech,” developed by the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, is the first museum exhibition devoted to Abloh’s work. It spans two decades of his practice, including collaborations with artists Takashi Murakami and Arthur Jafa, and photographer Juergen Teller, among others; material from his fashion label Off-White; and items from Louis Vuitton, where he served as the first Black menswear artistic director.

Newly added for the Brooklyn Museum’s presentation are never-before-seen objects from the artist’s archive, as well as a “social sculpture,” which draws upon Abloh’s background in architecture. The installation offers a space for gathering and performances, and is designed to counter the historical lack of space afforded to Black artists and Black people in cultural institutions.

“Figures of Speech” traces Abloh’s exploration of the communicative power of design. His use of language and quotation marks turns his designs, and the people who engage with them, into literal figures of speech. The artist uses the Black gaze to dismantle the traditionally white-crafted structures at work in fashion, design, architecture, and art, reconstructing new work through the lens of the Black cultural experience.

A publication, published by DelMonico Books, was created for the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago’s presentation of Virgil Abloh: “Figures of Speech” and will be available for purchase at the Brooklyn Museum.

In honoring Abloh’s vision, the Museum is making SOCIAL SCULPTURE available to community and organizational partners working with youth who may wish to make use of it. To request more information, please email [email protected] 

Exhibition Date: July 1, 2022–January 29, 2023

Location: Brooklyn Museum, Great Hall, 1st Floor

200 Eastern Parkway

Brooklyn, NY 11238.

Museum Hours:

Wednesday - Sunday: 11am - 6pm

First Saturdays: 5pm - 11pm

TICKETED EXHIBITION

Adults 

$20 Wed–Fri

$25 Sat–Sun

Adults 65+

$12 Wed–Fri

$16 Sat–Sun

?Visitors with disabilities (care partner free of charge)

$12 Wed–Fri

$16 Sat–Sun

Students 13+ (with valid I.D.)

$12 Wed–Fri

$16 Sat–Sun

?Ages 4 to 12

$8 Wed–Fri

$10 Sat–Sun

Ages 3 and under

Free

Members (Join us!)

Free

All tickets to the Museum are for timed entry in 15-minute increments. We strongly recommend purchasing tickets in advance. A limited number of tickets are reserved for same-day purchase at the Museum each day.

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