CHANCE THE RAPPER TO OPEN POP-UP SHOP, EXHIBIT THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO

Chance the Rapper celebrated the release of his official debut album, “The Big Day,” this weekend in Chicago with the opening of a special mixed-media art exhibit and pop-up shop known as, “The Big Store.”

Featuring art installations by artist Sara Shakeel and thousands of Swarovski crystals, the immersive nine-room experience offers fans an intimate look into Chance’s past and present. The experience opened Saturday, July 27th and will re-open to fans on Thursday, August 1st during Lollapalooza, the popular music festival, weekend.

Highlights from the exhibit include a “family room” with toys, furniture, games, and other pieces of nostalgia from Chance’s childhood all encrusted with Swarovski crystals. It also includes a “music room” with Swarovski crystal-covered microphone and stand, as well as a “wedding room” that directly brings the beauty and finesse of Chance’s wedding day to life through a room entirely covered in crystal cup chain from Swarovski crystals.

The inspiration for the installations started with the album cover image, which features a glass and resin CD that Shakeel embellished with Swarovski crystals. This piece of art, the artist explained, inspired Chance to contact her directly to help bring this immersive experience to life.

“I received a message from Chance after I posted a digital image on Instagram that I had I created of a transparent CD glittering with crystals and the caption of, ‘this is what music looks like to me’,” said Shakeel. “He told me that the image inspired him so much and he wanted it to be his album cover so we worked together to create a real glass version with Swarovski crystals. He then asked if I could help create a pop-up experience inspired by important moments of his life, past and present, and show how each moment led him to where he is today. For me, as an artist, it is a true dream come true to work with someone so talented and creative and who really puts his art first.”

Tickets to “The Big Store” are available here.