The Dwell Guide to Events in Your City

WEDNESDAY:

For years, AIGA has sponsored a lecture series featuring leaders of design-savvy companies. Today, the brains of Playboy Enterprises, Christie Hefner, explains why her well-designed brand hasn’t gone bust. Doors at 7:15pm; 213 West Institute Place; 312-337-8200; www.aigachicago.org

Verbal gymnastics is what you’ll get at this lecture by Ricky Burdett, design advisor for the London 2012 Olympics. IIT College of Architecture, Crown Hall, South Federal Street; 312 567-3000; www.webservices.iit.edu/calendar

The 26th annual Reeling Film Festival, which bills itself as “the second-oldest GLBT [Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender] film festival in the world,” continues its 11 days of fabulous films. Through Nov 18. 773-293-1447; reelingfilmfestival.org

In celebration of The Poetry Foundation’s 53rd Annual Poetry Day, acclaimed Irish poet Eavan Boland reads from her work. 6pm; Fullerton Hall, The Art Institute of Chicago, 111 South Michigan Avenue; 312-787-7070; www.poetryfoundation.org

THURSDAY:

Today, Ricky Burdett (see Wednesday) joins city officials Suzanne Malec-McKenna, Janet Attarian and Pete Mulvaney to discuss climate change and its affects on urban infrastructure. 6pm; $20/$10 members/$15 students; The John Buck Company Lecture Hall Gallery at the ArchiCenter, 224 S. Michigan Avenue; 312-922-3432; www.architecture.org

Do you soak up design blogs in your spare time? Then keep in mind Design Sponge’s meetup at Jayson Home and Garden tonight, where you can meet editor Grace Bonney and fellow design fanatics. 7-9pm; 1885 N Clybourn; 773.248.8180; www.designspongeonline.com

FRIDAY:

Last Chance: A coffee shop, living room, bus stop and several suburban roads get Architecture Foundation vistors thinking about how everyday decisions impact their lives and communities. The ArchiCenter, 224 S. Michigan Avenue; 312-922-3432; www.architecture.org

Alejandro Zaera-Polo, the better half (we hope) of the husband and wife team behind Foreign Office Architects, speaks at the UIC School of Architecture tonight. The firm is known for the ultra-modern Yokohama International Port Terminal in Japan, and its design for London’s forthcoming BBC Music Centre. 6pm; Rm 3100 Art & Architecture Building, 845 W. Harrison Str.; 312-996-3335; www.arch.uic.edu

Attend “Allegoric,” a display of over 300 works by distinctive designers, artists and illustrators, including Amy Mayfield, Andrew Jeffrey Wright, Bill McRight, Chris Hiltz, Chris Kerr, Chris Silva, Edith Abeyta, Erika Somogyi, Gala Bent, Hannah Woodroofe, Jesse Goldstein, Joseph Lappie, Karl Koett, Kelly Bowman, Ks Rives, Lee Piechocki, Matthew Feyld, Mel Kadel, Michael Genovese, Michael Pajon, Nelson Kahikina, Nick Butcher, Paul Nudd, Sighn, Travis Millard, and William Buzzel. 7-11pm; Chicago Country Club, 1100 N. Damen; 312-919-0036; allegoricspace.com

SUNDAY:

Kariann Fuqua presents 20 new paintings that explore the cityscape’s grit and energy in searing, acidic hues. “On Unstable Ground,” Through Feb 9. 5020 S. Cornell Avenue Chicago; 773-324-5520; www.hydeparkart.org

MONDAY:

Peter Schjeldahl, art critic for the New Yorker magazine talks about the art world’s glory days and the 40 year history of the Museum of Contemporary Art. 6pm; Free; 220 E. Chicago; 312-397-4010; www.mcachicago.org

TUESDAY:

The Series A readings that showcase experimental writers of the Midwest bring you authors Cris Mazza and Ray Hsu. 7pm; Hyde Park Art Center, 5020 S. Cornell Ave; 773-324-5520; www.moriapoetry.com

…Didn’t catch this last week? No worries. Here’s a reminder of what’s in town:

Jasper Johns
“Gray”
111 South Michigan Avenue; 312-443-3600; www.artic.edu
Through January 6, 2008. 

Jan Theun van Rees
“One Wall Away: Chicago’s Hidden Spaces”
Museum of Contemporary Photography, 600 S. Michigan Ave.; 773-459-5777; www.mocp.org.
Through Jan. 12, 2008.

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