Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago

Midwest Art Survey

The MCA Chicago's 2011 exhibition "Chicago Light" was a comprehensive survey of light-based artworks created in or exhibited in the American Midwest over the past four decades.

Pool Player was selected as one of the representative works showcasing the development of neon as an artistic medium in the region, from early experimental pieces to recent installations.

Installation Context

The work was installed in a purpose-built environment that simulated a late-night pool hall atmosphere, with Pool Player's neon figures appearing to play an endless midnight game.

The installation's environment was designed to evoke the isolation and contemplation of the game's practitioners, with the neon glow providing the only illumination in the space.

Exhibition Documentation

Conceptual Framework

Pool Player explores themes of competition, solitude, and the passage of time through the metaphor of the cue sport. The neon figures capture frozen moments of concentration and release.

Each figure is rendered in a characteristic pose, with the precision of the neon tubing mirroring the accuracy required in the game itself.

Specifications