On Rock-Soft Matters: Curating Slowness and Reconnection through the Visual Arts
You are invited to an immersive exhibit and 2026 film screening on view in Hyde Park, Chicago, from April 2 - April 12, 2026!
On Rock-Soft Matters: Curating Slowness and Reconnection through the Visual Arts is presented by Italian visual artist and curator Chiara Bastoni, Seldon’s current Artist in Residence. The exhibition brings together Bastoni’s photography and her 2026 film A Sun In The Palm, alongside a selection of more than one hundred original visual works by celebrated Egyptian artists Hazem El Mestikawy, Huda Lutfi, Marwan Fayed, and Nour El Sherif.
Bastoni’s work offers a profound reflection on the relationship between art, connection, and Islamic ways of seeing. It opens up a contemplative space that feels especially resonant at this moment.
Highlights:
- Reception night on Saturday, April 4, at 6 PM, featuring live music by Egyptian instrumentalist Mohamed Radwan.
- 90-minute immersive visits, available through the RSVP link, offering an intimate experience with Chiara herself—guiding visitors through the exhibition and film.
- An online conversation with Egyptian artists Marwan Fayed and Nour El Sherif on Saturday, April 11, as part of the exhibition schedule.
Venue: 5659 S Woodlawn Ave., Chicago, IL
