Documentary to focus on Chicago imagists

The documentary "Hairy Who and The Chicago Imagists" tells the story of a dynamic group of artists who, beginning in the 1960s and spanning two decades, thumbed their noses at the art establishment, producing works that were outrageous, aggressive, humorous and significant.

The lavishly illustrated documentary will be screened at 6 p.m. Friday, March 31, in the Schaible Science Center, Illinois Hall at Elmhurst College, 190 Prospect Ave., Elmhurst. Admission is free, but reservations are suggested by emailing specialevents@elmhurst.edu.

All of the Hairy Who's founding members, including Suellen Rocca, Elmhurst College's curator and director of exhibitions, still are exhibiting and have become powerful inspirations for a whole new generation of artists, including Jeff Koons and Chris Ware.

After the screening of "Hairy Who and The Chicago Imagists," participants are invited to walk over to the A.C. Buehler Library and explore the college's collection of Chicago imagist and abstractionist art. Rocca will be available for questions during the visit.

For more information, call (630) 617-6110 or visit srocca@elmhurst.edu.

This event is held in conjunction with the Elmhurst Art Museum's exhibition "Kings and Queens: Pinball, Imagists and Chicago," which explores the mutual appreciation and influence of two of Chicago's coolest exports - pinball and Imagist painting.