Mary Dixon: EXPO Chicago is back at Navy Pier for its 10th year. Art lovers and collectors are expected to gather for the four-day art exposition, which features thousands of dynamic artworks from around the world. I visited with EXPO Chicago founder and director Tony Karman as crews were preparing to open this massive show. 

So, looking around EXPO Chicago isn't even open. There is so much activity, you know, paintings being put up and artworks being displayed and machines moving all around and workers. How long does it take to set all this up?

Tony Karman: You know, it's an amazing process to be a part of because we literally build a city out here at the Navy Pier using pretty much every aspect of festival hall. We start about two weeks out. And you know, you started building with trusts and lights and walls, the electricians and carpenters, we work very closely with the trades, they're extraordinary. And then the artwork starts to come in this week. Artwork was delivered on Monday and Tuesday, before we opened on Thursday is when the dealers arrived to start hanging. And so you've got this beautiful stew of artwork and artists and gallerists and tradesmen and women. And it's just a magical little city we built.

Mary Dixon: What are you most excited about in this year's exposition?

Tony Karman: You know, happening again. And I said this after April of '22. We reset ourselves in a new time slot last year. Happening again this year without COVID in our midst has allowed the whole city to collaborate like it does, well, together again with it's museums, galleries and institutions. And I'm excited that to renew sort of EXPO art Week and all that we get to do when we welcome the world to our great city.

Mary Dixon: And along with the artworks, what discussions are you planning?

Tony Karman: You know, there's so many discussions over 20 some panels that are open to all the patrons that come to EXPO Chicago. You know, there's one on opening night with Chance the Rapper and Hank Willis Thomas. I think that's going to be illuminating to kick things off. But there is an incredible array of discussions that really speak to what artists are doing from around the world. And I think it's important to note that this is an international art fair. We have 170 galleries from 36 countries and 90 international cities, 3,000 works of art. It's a chance to come to Navy Pier and survey what's happening in the contemporary art world today.

Mary Dixon: Are there local artists that we should look out for this week?

Tony Karman: You know, there's so many. I hope you don't mind if I'm saying we're represented well by the Chicago galleries that are doing the fair. And there's so many artists from Chicago that are, are not just showing here, but also back to your first question that are involved as installers, are active. And that's another way that the fair sort of supports the whole community. You know, there's a lot of individual artists that are employed by galleries and us.

Mary Dixon: Are there any international artists you're particularly keen about seeing this weekend?

Tony Karman: Off the top of my head, there's a beautiful performance artwork that's happening on Saturday with artists named Shani Crowe and Zizipho Poswa from Southern Guild Gallery in South Africa. It's going to be this beautiful four hour hair braiding experience. And I think that those are moments where the fair allows an individual to experience a cultural moment, experience a look into another country, or another culture's methods and eyes. And I think that that's just one of the many, many highlights that one will be able to see.

Mary Dixon: Tony Karman leads EXPO Chicago. Thank you so much for your time. 

Tony Karman: Thanks so much Mary.

Mary Dixon: This is WBEZ. And this note, EXPO Chicago is a financial supporter of WBEZ.

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