Architecture, Economic Turmoil and Art Combine in "Still In The Night" New Photography by Lou Raizin, at Spectrum Fine Art Gallery, June 20 – July 18 Opening June 20 5-8 pm

Spectrum Fine Art Gallery is pleased to premier Still in the night, a new series of photographs by award-winning Chicago fine art photographer and community leader, Lou Raizin. The show runs June 20 – July 18, 2013 at 47 Highwood Avenue in Highwood. The opening reception is Thursday, June 20 from 5 – 8 p.m. 

Raizin’s bold new portfolio of abandoned construction projects from around America, though architectural in its nature, deals with the uncertainty of today’s economic turmoil and the question of what is yet to come. In his photos, pitched against the darkness of night, unfinished skeletons of glass, steel and concrete lay naked, exposed to the environment, waiting for a new tomorrow.  Individually they are glowing, geometric images, but put together in a body of work, the ideas behind them are sobering, but hopeful.

“To me, skyscrapers stand as metaphors for yesterday’s economic strength and wisdom. As modern marvels of design, engineering and finance, they are built to withstand even the most severe elements of nature, but may not survive the forces of an erratic global economy. Like Atlantis and Pompeii they sit frozen in time, but if we listen closely enough we might still hear a heartbeat,” said Raizin. To see more of Raizin’s work, visit louraizin.com.

Raizin is a Chicago-based artist, whose passion for photography is matched only by his passion for business. He is president of Broadway In Chicago, which operates the Bank of America Theatre, Cadillac Palace, Oriental Theatre and the Broadway Playhouse, as well as booking theatrical productions in the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. As former Chair of the Chicago Loop Alliance, Raizin was instrumental in bringing pop up art galleries to the Loop. Raizin is an avid Chicago leader, sitting on the boards of Choose Chicago, the State Street Commission and the Great North Michigan Avenue Association, as well as other civic and cultural institutions. A life-long photographer, Raizin built his first darkroom at 16, the same year he set foot into the entertainment business.

Six local artists started Spectrum Fine Art Gallery this spring to create an inviting and accessible environment for people to experience art, as well as to add to their collections. The gallery features a full range of media including paintings, drawings, fiber art, ceramics and photography. Spectrum was founded by painter Susan Chertkow of Wilmette, painter Diane Nelson of Northbrook, fabric artist Charlotte Kaplan of Wilmette, painter Ellin Blumenthal of Northbrook, potter and painter Jill Hurwitz of Highland Park and painter Jill Raizin of Lincolnshire. Summer hours are Wednesdays from 4 to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from noon to 8 p.m., Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. and by appointment.

For further information, visit spectrum-fineart.com or call (847) 926-3294.