Seldon Institute

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&nbsp;is presented by Italian visual artist and curator&nbsp;Chiara Bastoni, Seldon’s current Artist in Residence. The exhibition brings together Bastoni’s photography and her 2026 film&nbsp;A Sun In The Palm,&nbsp;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:<ul><li>Reception night on Saturday, April 4, at 6 PM, featuring live music by Egyptian instrumentalist Mohamed Radwan.</li><li>90-minute immersive visits, available through the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.seldoninstitute.org/bastoni" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">RSVP</a>&nbsp;link, offering an intimate experience with Chiara herself—guiding visitors through the exhibition and film.</li><li>An online conversation&nbsp;with Egyptian artists Marwan Fayed and Nour El Sherif on Saturday, April 11, as part of the exhibition schedule.</li></ul> <a href="https://www.seldoninstitute.org/bastoni" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">RSVP Here</a> Venue:&nbsp;5659 S Woodlawn Ave., Chicago, IL <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/dfafo598z/image/upload/v1774475521/vrfrttfnxmqcrsrrpw71.jpg">

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