Darkness & Light: Contemporary Nordic Photography

An exhibition featuring the wide range of depth and style from artists across the northern European region

by Laura Feinstein Nordic countries aren’t known for their mild climates. Whether it’s the near-mythic winter darkness of the Scandinavian “polar night,” or the periods of 24-hour light that characterize the Midnight Sun, this is a region of stark contrasts. “Darkness & Light: Contemporary Nordic Photography,” now in its final month at NYC’s Scandinavia House, attempts to celebrate the mysterious effect this bipolarity has had …

Conventional Wisdom: World Clown Association

An inside look at the wonky world through photographer Arthur Drooker's lens

Just putting on an oversized, colorful suit and slapping on some makeup does not a clown make. There’s a deep understanding of comedy, coupled with zany performance abilities and an acceptance that the role is a historic one. The roots of clowning go back centuries; they’ve been spokespeople for brands, much-loved television presenters—and some have been feared. Situated at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Northbrook, …

Link About It: This Week’s Picks

Uncomfortable objects, intellectual erotica, Frankie Knuckles enduring legacy and more in our look at the web this week

1. The Unknown Vivian Maier In 2007, a 26-year-old amateur historian named John Maloof paid $380 for a box of negatives and undeveloped film at an auction. Therein, he would discover the intimate, beautiful images of photographer Vivian Maier, a Chicago nanny who captured remarkable scenes during the 1950s and ’60s. A new BBC documentary, “Finding Vivian Maier” charts Maloof’s quest to uncover the now-deceased …