November Highlights

	Atom Egoyan

Doc Films
Presidential Fellows in the Arts Series:
Screening and Discussion with Atom Egoyan.
7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9
Max Palevsky Cinema
Ida Noyes Hall, 1212 E. 59th St.
http://docfilms.uchicago.edu.

Atom Egoyan—Cairo born, Canadian-bred and of Armenian descent—creates films that are uniquely personal, often exploring issues of grief, intimacy, displacement and the impact of technology and media on modern life. His films, including The Sweet Hereafter, Exotica, and Where the Truth Lies, have earned both critical acclaim and commercial success around the world. Egoyan is known for pushing boundaries and using film to tell complicated stories from a variety of nonlinear perspectives. Unafraid of controversy, Egoyan has been noted and lauded by critics for his comfort in making both big, commercially successful films and smaller, personally gratifying films Creator of more than a dozen films, Egoyan is one of Canada’s most prominent filmmakers.

	The Schola Antiqua of Chicago

The Rockefeller Memorial Chapel Events
“Harmonies for the Queen of Heavens: Chant and Polyphony from the 15th Century.”
8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10
1156 E. 59th St. 702-7059

The Schola Antiqua of Chicago performs Guillame Du Fay’s last polyphonic mass, based on the antiphon “Ave Regina Celorum” and the composer’s 1463 motet of the same name. For this special program, Du Fay’s beautiful, intricate mass movements are interspersed with appropriate liturgical plainchant. This event is free.

The Department of Music
Concert and Workshop: Astral Project.
Concert: 2 p.m. Workshop: 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 5
Fulton Recital Hall, 1010 E. 59th St., fourth floor

Since 1978, Astral Project has been New Orleans’ most exciting and respected modern jazz group. Downbeat magazine called these world-class improvisers “one of the most distinctive and cohesive groups in jazz.” The concert begins at 2 p.m. and the workshop follows at 4 p.m. This event is free.

	Ben Gest, "Erick in His Volvo," 2005 40" x 66" Archival Inkjet Print

The Renaissance Society
Photographic Exhibit: Ben Gest.
Sunday, Nov. 12 to Friday, Dec. 22
5811 S. Ellis Ave., fourth floor
(773) 702-7823. http://www.renaissancesociety.org.

Although constructed from dozens, if not hundreds, of digital photographs, Chicago-based artist Ben Gest’s photographs are seamless. The result is a composition that in its subtle exaggeration of space is akin to Mannerist painting. In his new body of work, Gest turns from photographing groups of people to individuals. As formal portraits taken at informal moments, the sitters are caught in fleeting but nonetheless deep bouts of introspection. More than illustrating the sitter’s psychology, Gest’s new photographs capture the demeanor given to private thought as it marks the withdrawal from public self.