Ross Dwyer Although he’s now a multihyphenate designer, globe-trotting DJ, and influential cultural figure, Virgil Abloh‘s roots are actually in architecture, and together with NikeLab Chicago, he’s returning to his alma mater, the IIT College Of Architecture, to present a “Re-Creation Center.” Abloh recently shared images of a clear-windowed case outside of the college’s S.R. Crown Hall stuffed full of colorful socks and printed with details of a NikeLab Chicago showcase that’ll open to the public on May 31st. Details on what the “center” will provide are somewhat sparse, with text on the display reading “power plant of a different kind.” This seems to hint at an interactive think tank of sorts, one that may bear some similarities to the “Off-Campus” events that accompanied the original release of Abloh’s “The Ten” collection back in 2017. Along with his women’s-only “Athlete In Progress” Nike collection that’s centered around the Zoom Terra Kiger 5, this side project serves as an ideal bridge to the opening of Abloh’s “Figures Of Speech” career retrospective at MCA Chicago on June 10th, and the rumored release of his highly-anticpated blue Off-White Air Force 1s as well. Check out the installation here, and stay tuned for further updates on Virgil’s wide swath of upcoming projects as they’re available.
Updated May 29th: Every week, the NikeLab Chicago Re-creation Center will open a public session with different topics per week. Reserve spots on Nike SNKRS in the Chicago area.
Official statement from Nike:
In collaboration with Virgil Abloh, on May 31st, Nike is launching the NikeLab Chicago Re-Creation Center, a space where sport meets creativity. This summer, the NikeLab Re-Creation Center will act as a cultural hub complete with workshops, product launches and mentorship opportunities from some of the city’s most notable creative minds.
“It’s a way to contribute to the local creative community,” says Virgil. “I see it as a place to experiment under the context of sport and creativity.”
Virgil Abloh x NikeLab Chicago “Re-Creation Center”
June 8 Graphic Design
June 15 Visual Arts
June 22 Photography
June 29 Art is a Playlist
July 6 Design Identity
July 13 Architecture
Images: virgilabloh/alphonso_peluso
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