BRIDGEPORT — The idea for an art student’s boob-shaped pop-up art gallery was roundly lauded by the online donors who funded the project in just a few days time.
Now, the project will make its big public debut this weekend at Siegel Field at 33rd and State streets on the Illinois Institute of Technology campus.
"People have these crazy reactions like ‘What is that? What are you doing?’ It’s been really cool to see how people interact with it,” said Lynne Lee, of Bridgeport.
The 22-year-old Shimer College student created the gallery to “explore and reshape what a space represents to our society. A space has endless possibilities, and its purpose can be molded to any idea."
That the gallery is shaped like a pair of breasts is sort an objection to society's status quo on female anatomy: Why should the exhibit offend anyone? Would it be a big deal if it was shaped like an arm?
"It's a challenge to the scandalous nature of the human body. We all have bodies and they can be a source of laughter and fun. They don’t have to blasphemous or scary," she said.
The weekend event runs from 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and will feature a packed schedule of performances, from paintings and poetry slams to lectures and live music. Admission is free.
“All of these [performers] are associated with my school. It’s about giving back to my community and also showcasing what the community has to offer. It has something for everybody. It's full of fun stuff," she said.
Similar to a pair of "hexayurts” originally designed for emergency housing, the structures are made of durable hexacomb walls bonded together with tape. She can assemble the pieces in about 20 to 30 minutes and tear them down even quicker.
Lee, a California native, got the OK from the tiny liberal arts school's faculty who allowed her to create a hands-on project instead of writing a lengthy thesis in order to graduate.
