Artist Talk and Discussion
Artist Talk and Discussion
This discussion with the Raqs Media Collective was presented as part of the Reimagining Cosmopolitanism capstone conference.
Exhibitions
Raqs Media Collective: Cavalcade
05.08.2025 – 07.11.2025
Raqs Media Collective, Cavalcade, 2025. Courtesy of the artists.
Exhibition Summary
A new film and a suite of AI-inspired works in print expand our understanding of what it means to be cosmopolitan.
Cavalcade, a new film by the Delhi-based Raqs Media Collective, zooms in on a gathering where humans and non-humans jostle for space. A congregation of figures emanate from dreams, myths, and speculations, posing the question of what it might mean to extend human solidarity to forms of animal, mythic, and machinic sentience. Moving through forests, climbing the upthrust of petrified lava, flying over brick kilns and dry riverbeds, observing ships at sea, and walking with a procession of devotees celebrating the nuptials of the Indic deities Shiva and Parvati, Cavalcade expands our understanding of what it means to be cosmopolitan. The video was accompanied by three works in print that incorporated AI responses to the artists’ prompts, a welcome intrusion of proto-sentience into the cosmos of the show.
Curated by Dieter Roelstraete.
This exhibition was presented in partnership with the Reimagining Cosmopolitanism research project, jointly organized by the Neubauer Collegium and the Chicago Center for Contemporary Theory (3CT).
Related Project
This exhibition is part of
Gallery
Exhibition Narrative
Carousel with 3 slides shown at a time. Use the Previous and Next buttons to navigate, or the slide dot buttons at the end to jump to slides.
The Cosmos Reimagined: Reflections on Cavalcade
The Cosmos Reimagined: Reflections on Cavalcade
As Raqs Media Collective's Cavalcade comes to a close, Neubauer Collegium Communications Assistant Nessa Ordukhani (MA'25) offers some reflections on the exhibition and its inquiry into what it means ...
Raqs Media Collective’s ‘Cavalcade’ on view at Neubauer
Raqs Media Collective’s ‘Cavalcade’ on view at Neubauer
A review in the Hyde Park Herald notes that the film "evokes a curiosity that extends beyond the screen to the viewer."
A Cosmopolitan Imagination in Raqs Media Collective's Cavalcade
A Cosmopolitan Imagination in Raqs Media Collective's Cavalcade
University of Chicago PhD student Amreeta Das (SALC) has published a thoughtful review of Cavalcade for "The Critical Collective."
Cosmic Glow, Dissenting Tongues
Cosmic Glow, Dissenting Tongues
The Delhi-based artists propose a new theory inspired by the "extended tongue" figuration that features prominently in their Cavalcade exhibition.
Raqs Media Collective in Solidarity With Non-Humans at Neubauer Collegium
Raqs Media Collective in Solidarity With Non-Humans at Neubauer Collegium
Kinoki reviews Raqs Media Collective's new film, Cavalcade.
Art for Summer 2025
Art for Summer 2025
The Chicago Tribune has included Cavalcade at the top of its list of the city's best exhibitions for the summer.
Reimagining Cosmopolitanism Capstone Conference
Conference
Reimagining Cosmopolitanism Capstone Conference
This conference brought together an international group of scholars who are rethinking the concept of "cosmopolitanism" for our times.
Artist Talk and Opening Reception for Raqs Media Collective's Cavalcade
Exhibition Opening
Artist Talk and Opening Reception for Raqs Media Collective's Cavalcade
This exhibition features a new multimedia work commissioned as part of the Reimagining Cosmopolitanism research project.
Newcity Names Raqs Media Collective's Cavalcade a Must-See Exhibition for May
Newcity Names Raqs Media Collective's Cavalcade a Must-See Exhibition for May
Newcity has included Cavalcade in its "Art Top 5" list for May 2025.
Carousel with 3 slides shown at a time. Use the Previous and Next buttons to navigate, or the slide dot buttons at the end to jump to slides.
Carousel with 3 slides shown at a time. Use the Previous and Next buttons to navigate, or the slide dot buttons at the end to jump to slides.
The Cosmos Reimagined: Reflections on Cavalcade
The Cosmos Reimagined: Reflections on Cavalcade
As Raqs Media Collective's Cavalcade comes to a close, Neubauer Collegium Communications Assistant Nessa Ordukhani (MA'25) offers some reflections on the exhibition and its inquiry into what it means ...
Newcity Names Raqs Media Collective's Cavalcade a Must-See Exhibition for May
Newcity Names Raqs Media Collective's Cavalcade a Must-See Exhibition for May
Newcity has included Cavalcade in its "Art Top 5" list for May 2025.
Carousel with 3 slides shown at a time. Use the Previous and Next buttons to navigate, or the slide dot buttons at the end to jump to slides.
Raqs Media Collective’s ‘Cavalcade’ on view at Neubauer
Raqs Media Collective’s ‘Cavalcade’ on view at Neubauer
A review in the Hyde Park Herald notes that the film "evokes a curiosity that extends beyond the screen to the viewer."
A Cosmopolitan Imagination in Raqs Media Collective's Cavalcade
A Cosmopolitan Imagination in Raqs Media Collective's Cavalcade
University of Chicago PhD student Amreeta Das (SALC) has published a thoughtful review of Cavalcade for "The Critical Collective."
Raqs Media Collective in Solidarity With Non-Humans at Neubauer Collegium
Raqs Media Collective in Solidarity With Non-Humans at Neubauer Collegium
Kinoki reviews Raqs Media Collective's new film, Cavalcade.
Art for Summer 2025
Art for Summer 2025
The Chicago Tribune has included Cavalcade at the top of its list of the city's best exhibitions for the summer.
Carousel with 3 slides shown at a time. Use the Previous and Next buttons to navigate, or the slide dot buttons at the end to jump to slides.
Cosmic Glow, Dissenting Tongues
Cosmic Glow, Dissenting Tongues
The Delhi-based artists propose a new theory inspired by the "extended tongue" figuration that features prominently in their Cavalcade exhibition.
Carousel with 3 slides shown at a time. Use the Previous and Next buttons to navigate, or the slide dot buttons at the end to jump to slides.
Reimagining Cosmopolitanism Capstone Conference
Conference
Reimagining Cosmopolitanism Capstone Conference
This conference brought together an international group of scholars who are rethinking the concept of "cosmopolitanism" for our times.
Carousel with 3 slides shown at a time. Use the Previous and Next buttons to navigate, or the slide dot buttons at the end to jump to slides.
Artist Talk and Opening Reception for Raqs Media Collective's Cavalcade
Exhibition Opening
Artist Talk and Opening Reception for Raqs Media Collective's Cavalcade
This exhibition features a new multimedia work commissioned as part of the Reimagining Cosmopolitanism research project.
Explore
Featured Exhibition
WORKS BY: Tony Lewis with Bethany Collins, Devin T. Mays & Ellen Rothenberg
Explore