Congress theater
a test site project
chicago IL
The Congress theater is a historic movie palace built in the 1920’s. In 1999-2000 the theater was not operating and was at threat of being torn down to make way for development projects. Test Site was a Chicago artist collective that put on site specific art events typically in spaces that were not traditionally used as art venues. In this project Test Site was very interested in bringing awareness of the the Congress Theater to the transitional neighborhood of Logan Square and to Chicago arts community in hopes to save the historical building.
Started by its core members including Kristian Anderson, Robin Barcus , Eduardo De Soignie Test Site expanded to 20 plus artists who put on performances and site specific installations in inside the space, opening the doors to the public to experience the building. The group helped connect the owners with historical preservationists and conservationists, worked to restore parts of the building and helped lay the pathway to the building being named a historical landmark in 2002. Learn more>
Started by its core members including Kristian Anderson, Robin Barcus , Eduardo De Soignie Test Site expanded to 20 plus artists who put on performances and site specific installations in inside the space, opening the doors to the public to experience the building. The group helped connect the owners with historical preservationists and conservationists, worked to restore parts of the building and helped lay the pathway to the building being named a historical landmark in 2002. Learn more>
