Show and Tell

Jack Siegel is a Chicago-based photographer who traverses the streets of Chicago with camera in hand. Jack's practice includes architectural photography and urban landscapes.

Archive

All in Chicago

"#Abandon Biden"

Dec 30

Dec 30 "#Abandon Biden"

Chicago, Demonstrations, Performance, Protest, Public Declarations

On December 30, 2023, a group of Palestinian advocates held a press conference in Chicago announcing the expansion of their #AbandonBiden campaign to all 50 states. The group hopes to build a coalition to defeat President Biden in 2024. I attended the press conference. While the imagery is not dynamic, the event could be a watershed in the 2024 Presidential Election. Here are my thoughts and images, including ones from the annual Muslim American Society-Islamic Circle of North America Convention that was held at McCormick Place, drawing 30,000 attendees.

Dec 16

Dec 16 No Joy

Chicago, Chicago Tourism, Demonstrations, Protest, Public Declarations

On Saturday, I attended a rain-soaked pro-Palestinian demonstration that included some theater both inside and outside of the Michigan Avenue Zara store. Here are my thoughts about and images from the demonstration.

Killed By Israel

Dec 15

Dec 15 Killed By Israel

Chicago, Demonstrations, Protest, Public Declarations

On Friday while waiting for a bus, I read a breaking story reporting that Israel had just killed three hostages who were shirtless and holding white flags. I then saw a ‘Kidnapped’ sign for one of the now dead hostages. Here are my thoughts about and two images that capture this creepy coincidence.

A Hanukah March

Dec 14

Dec 14 A Hanukah March

Chicago, Demonstrations, Public Declarations, Protest

I attended a rally late this afternoon held by members of the Chicago’s Jewish Community (and others) demanding a cease fire in Gaza and calling for the end of U.S. aid to Israel. The event included a celebration of Hanukah and a march to Boeing’s Chicago offices. Here are my thoughts about and images from the rally and march.

Doctors Take A Stand

Dec 8

Dec 8 Doctors Take A Stand

Chicago, Demonstrations, Protest, Public Declarations

Tonight I attended a demonstration by Palestinian health care workers outside the Art Institute of Chicago that was meant to call attention to the ongoing medical crisis in Gaza. Here are my thoughts about and images from this passionate, but rather low-key demonstration.

Picketing Boeing

Dec 8

Dec 8 Picketing Boeing

Chicago, Demonstrations, Protest, Public Declarations

On Friday afternoon, a group of pro-Palestinian demonstrators held a rally outside Boeing’s corporate offices, calling out the defense contractor for producing weapons that the demonstrators believe are being used by the Israelis in their crusade against Hamas. Here are my thoughts about and images from the demonstration.

A Powerful Silence

Dec 7

Dec 7 A Powerful Silence

Chicago, Demonstrations, Public Declarations, Protest

On December 7, 2023, a lone man set up an elaborate display in Chicago’s Jane Byrne Plaza (the site of the Old Water Tower) in support of the Palestinian people. Here are my thoughts about and images from the event, including a summary of our conversation.

Dec 2

Dec 2 Taking Control

Chicago, Demonstrations, Protest, Public Declarations

Today, I attended another pro-Palestinian demonstration and march in Chicago. Once again, the Chicago Police Department seemingly lost control of the situation. Here are my thoughts about and photographs from the day.

Nov 25

Nov 25 90th Holodomor

Chicago, Demonstrations, Performance, Protest, Public Declarations

Tonight, I attended the Chicago Ukrainian Community’s annual Holodomor memorial in Jane Byrne Plaza and Holy Name Cathedral. Here are my thoughts about and images from the event.

Nov 24

Nov 24 Black Friday

Chicago, Protest, Public Declarations

Black Friday saw Michigan Avenue shut down by pro-Palestinian demonstrators, a blockade of Victoria’s Secret and the Starbucks flagship store, and arrests when several demonstrators refused to call it a day. Here are my thoughts about and images from the day’s events

Nov 12

Nov 12 "Shut It Down"

Chicago, Demonstrations, Public Declarations, Protest

Ten days I attended a pro-Palestinian demonstration that shut down Michigan Avenue, raising serous questions whether spontaneous shutdowns of public right-of-ways are appropriate. Here are my thoughts about that issue, as channeled through six weeks of pro-Palestinian demonstrations, as well as my images from the particular demonstration.

Removing the Crown

Nov 10

Nov 10 Removing the Crown

Chicago, Demonstrations, Protest, Public Declarations

Yesterday, I attended a demonstration outside of the Art Institute of Chicago organized by Behind Enemy Lines. Among the demonstrators were students from School of the Art Institute who demanded that Steven Crown, an Art Institute trustee, be removed from the board of trustees because his family’s investment in General Dynamics finances the production of the bombs being dropped on Gaza. Here are my thoughts about and images from the demonstration.

Canceling Biden

Nov 9

Nov 9 Canceling Biden

Chicago, Demonstrations, Protest, Public Declarations

Ten days ago, President Joe Biden was Chicago for a fundraiser. Pro-Palestinian demonstrators staged a protest a block away from the event. Here are my thoughts about and images from the demonstration.

The Electric Hippo

Nov 3

Nov 3 The Electric Hippo

Chicago, Jazz, Musicians, Performance

On November 3, 2023, Theon Cross brought his electrified tuba to the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts. It was quite a night of innovative jazz fusion, with some hip hop added to the voodoo. Here are my thoughts about and images from the evening’s performance.

Oct 21

Oct 21 Ben Wendel

Chicago, Jazz, Musicians, Performance

On October 21, 2023, tenor saxophonist Ben Wendel brought his quintet to the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, together with visual artist Xuan. Here are my thoughts about and images from the evening.

Oct 18

Oct 18 A Page Turner

Chicago, Demonstrations, Protest, Public Declarations

If it’s Wednesday, there must be another Palestinian demonstration in the streets of Chicago. This one was in direct response to the hospital bombing in Gaza. Here are my thoughts about and images from this massive demonstration.

Oct 15

Oct 15 1000 Days

Chicago, Demonstrations, Performance, Public Declarations, Protest

Last Sunday, following the Ukrainian demonstration outside the Wrigley Building, members of Chicago’s Russian Community marked the 1000th day Russian dissident Alexei Navalny’s captivity at the hands of Vladimir Putin. Here are my thoughts about and images from this demonstration.

Remembering Azovstal

Oct 15

Oct 15 Remembering Azovstal

Chicago, Demonstrations, Protest, Public Declarations

This past Sunday, I attended an unusually small demonstration by members of Chicago’s Ukrainian Community. Some in attendance were recent émigrés. They were demanding that Russia release 500 prisoners who surrendered following the siege of the Azovstal Iron and Steel Works in Mariupol, Ukraine. Here are my thoughts about and images from the demonstration.

Oct 14

Oct 14 5 To 8

Chicago, Demonstrations, Parades, Protest, Public Declarations

According to one report, between 5,000 and 8,000 people filled the streets of Chicago last Saturday in support of the Palestinian people. Here are my thoughts about the third Palestinian demonstration since the start of the Israeli-Hamas War, together with the images I captured during Saturday’s massive rally and march.

Off-Key Messaging

Oct 12

Oct 12 Off-Key Messaging

Chicago, Demonstrations, Protest, Public Declarations

Thursday night I attended a rally and march held by members of Chicago’s Jewish Community. The messaging was inappropriately mixed under the circumstances giving rise to the demonstration. Here are my thoughts about and images from the evening.