About this Event
Join us for an evening of art, conversation, and community and be among the first to experience our four new exhibitions.
The season features The Condition of Being Near, a group exhibition tracing histories of proximity and solidarity across Black, African, and Chinese diasporic communities; Wilmer Wilson IV: SKIRL!, the first exhibition to emerge from our new R+D residency; Waste Scenes by artists Maia Chao and Fred Schmidt-Arenales, reopening our Project Space; and a new commission for ICA’s Entryways series by Saif Azzuz. Returning is the Open Video Call program, renewing a longstanding ICA platform for Delaware-Valley artists.
In addition to experiencing the new exhibitions, enjoy live music, light refreshments, and a few surprises to spark curioristy and build connection thoroughout the evening.
Reserve your spot today.
We look forward to celebrating with you!
ICA will be closed to the public until 7 PM on Friday, September 25th.
Our regular visitation hours will resume on Saturday, September 26th at 12 PM.
ABOUT THE EXHIBITIONS
This group exhibition developed by curators Zairong Xiang and Denise Ryner explores solidarity across Black, African, and Chinese diasporic communities. Through video, installation, print, and archival materials, nine artists examine connections between historical Global South coalitions and contemporary cultural and economic networks spanning the Caribbean, West Africa, China, Taiwan, the South Pacific, and the United States.
The inaugural exhibition of ICA’s new R+D residency program, SKIRL! follows artist Wilmer Wilson IV’s research into the Eastern Gray Squirrel as a lens for examining American histories, ecologies, and ideas of belonging. Through archival research and new artworks, Wilson traces overlooked cultural narratives to explore how categories like “pet,” “pest,” and “wildlife” shape systems of care, visibility, and value.
Created during a residency at Philadelphia’s Recycled Artist in Residency (RAIR), Waste Scenes is a two-channel video work filmed within an active recycling center. Using performative vignettes built around found materials, the artists reflect on post-industrial decline, material waste, and the culture of consumption in contemporary America.
For ICA’s latest Entryways commission, artist Saif Azzuz will transform the Sansom Street-facing windows with graphics inspired by Philadelphia’s natural history. Drawing from his Indigenous perspective and ongoing interest in native plants and land stewardship, the project invites reflection on the relationship between communities and the natural environment.
ACCESSIBILITY
ICA is committed to creating a welcoming environment for all visitors. For more notes on accessibility, including accessible parking nearby, visit our Accessibility landing page. If you require any accessibility accommodations or have any questions about the program, contact us at [email protected].
SUPPORT
Programming at ICA is made possible in part by the Emily and Jerry Spiegel Fund to Support Contemporary Culture and Visual Arts and the Lise Spiegel Wilks and Jeffrey Wilks Family Foundation. Public and Student Engagement at ICA is supported by the Bernstein Public Engagement Fund, Suzanne Weiss Doft & Jacob W. Doft, Stacey & Robert Goergen Jr., Hilarie L. & Mitchell Morgan, the Nash Family Foundation, Joline & David Stemerman, and by Dana McDonald Strong & Mark W. Strong.
Image Credits:
Image 1: Hong-Kai Wang. Southern Clairaudience: some sound documents for a future act, 2016–2019. Photo: Jules Lister. Courtesy Nottingham Contemporary. Image 3: Wilmer Wilson IV, Untitled, 2025. Courtesy the artist. Image 4: Maia Chao and Fred Schmidt-Arenales, video still from Waste Scenes, 2024. Two-channel video installation. Courtesy the artists. Image 5: Saif Azzuz, Ehotama yu haki (I love this land), 2026. Acrylic on canvas, 60 x 80 inches. Courtesy of the artist and Anthony Meier, Mill Valley.
Event venue & nearby stays
Institute of Contemporary Art, 118 South 36th Street, Philadelphia, United States
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