Antoine’s Organ (2016) is a monumental, immersive multimedia installation by contemporary artist Rashid Johnson, on view as a part of his career-spanning exhibition, A Poem for Deep Thinkers. Serving as a metaphor for the artist’s own brain, the artwork explores complex themes of race, class, yearning, Afrocentric identity, and the subversion of cultural containment.

Named after the classically trained pianist and music producer Antoine Baldwin (also known as Audio BLK), who originally activated the work in its 2016 debut, a piano is hidden at the center of the labyrinthine structure. Throughout the exhibition’s run, musicians perform live improvisations from within the structure. Music floats through the foliage, giving life and cohering community through shared narrative.

Due to limited capacity, we encourage guests to cycle through the gallery during the performance.

About the Performer

Born and raised on the west side of Chicago in a close-knit community, Justin Dillard attended both Vandercook College of Music and The Velvet Lounge as institutions of higher aptitude. He has performed/recorded with and/or received tutelage from the likes of Branford Marsalis, Ornette Coleman, Dionne Warwick, Fred Anderson, NEA jazz master Von Freeman, and Roscoe Mitchell to name a few. Howard Reich (Chicago Tribune) writes: “A new generation of jazz improvisers has emerged in Chicago in recent years, but few are more promising than organist/pianist Justin Dillard. Musically, Dillard tends to be all over the keyboard, drawing upon the examples of virtuosos such as Dr. Lonnie Smith, and McCoy Tyner. But there’s something more to Dillard’s work as well; a quest for new ideas in music, in the historic practice of his AACM mentors.” Dillard has been a Hammond Organ Endorsed Artist for 15 years and has received four grammy nominations (two in 2023, with Sir Kahil El’ Zabar and the legendary Bobby Broom). He has performed on national television (ABC) with his organ trio The DOT, and continues to transform his career by composing for and performing with his vast array of ensembles, all while accompanying great musicians all over the world.