Minsuk Cho, the Seoul, South Korea-based architect behind MASS Studies, is speaking in Chicago as part of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago’s ongoing lecture series. Cho has the career and connections of a fast-rising star not yet at the apogee of his career, and the work to back it up. At the 2014 Venice Architecture Biennial, his one-time employer, Rem Koolhaas, presented him with the Golden Lion for his work on the Korean Pavilion, which presented a history of the two Koreas without bias or politics, only investigating and exploring the divergent architectural history. Lectures, though, are to be more than a presentation of past work, a glorified marketing exercise to the future interns and wannabe clients of honored architectural offices. Given the richness and depth Cho has shown in his professional and academic work, one can be sure that he will present a strong opinion on the state of architecture and its place in the world. (Nick Cecchi)
Tuesday, April 7, 6:30pm at the Art Institute of Chicago, Fullerton Auditorium, 111 South Michigan. Free.
Finishing the Hat: The Fine Art of Optimo In 2011, GQ magazine featured Optimo as one of the seven best hat stores in America. It took lots of bold steps for Graham Thompson to reach the top of his game and become one of the best fine hatmakers in America.
