Reconfigured from "As We Grow," at the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL

This is Maren Hassinger’s Showers. Originally commissioned for the Art Institute of Chicago in 2023, a new rendition is presented here for her solo exhibition. Hassinger’s use of industrial wire rope is a staple of her practice, as it allows her to create sculptures that, in her words, “resemble living, breathing things.” The theme of movement within her work stems from her roots as a performance dancer and her fascination with and love for nature. One can see Hassinger’s intention of capturing nature’s essence in the way this work imitates the patterns and fluidity of the natural world, while presenting a material juxtaposition. By employing methods of weaving and uncoiling, Hassinger imbues the rigid material with the malleable nature of water and wind.