Great Ideas of Humanity:
One of a Series

June 27 – August 4, 2025

Opening Reception — Fri 6/27

Join us Friday, June 27, 4:30–7:00 PM for the opening of Great Ideas, a new exhibition where powerful phrases are reimagined as bold visual statements, continuing and expanding the legacy of the iconic Great Ideas of Western Man campaign.

Language shapes our understanding of the world—it preserves history, provokes thought, and sparks change. But words alone are not enough. Through design, typography, and artistic interpretation, language takes on form, becoming something we can see, feel, and experience.

Great Ideas of Humanity continues the legacy of the iconic Great Ideas of Western Man campaign, reimagining its vision for a broader, more inclusive future. This latest iteration transforms thought-provoking phrases into striking visual statements, turning ideas into tangible works of art that invite reflection and conversation.

Explore the latest Great Ideas of Humanity and see the full collection on the on the Great Ideas website.

Featured Artists

Alex Paulette Sommerville, Alfonzo Dave IV, Ashley Renée King, Brandon Olsen, Brooke Cirone, Bruce Mau, Bud Rodecker, Camille Ruiz-Funes, Christian Solorzano, Christoph Niemann, Craig Ward, Cristina Bottía, Daniela Marx, D. Washington, Debbie Millman, Drew Larson, Eddie Young, Emilia Chang, Erich Brechbühl, Eugene Varnado, Fletcher Martin, Franc Nunoo-Quarcoo, Garland Kirkpatrick, Helvetica Jones Design, Jack Leary, Jeffrey Hitchens, Jestene Passolt, John Pobojewski, John Terdich, Kevin Moreland, Leila Walker, Lisa Congdon, Luc Weber, Marina Willer, Martina Paukova, Matt Kuta, Matt Normand, Michaile Brooks, Michele Y. Washington, Mikey Burton, Neville Brody, Nick Adam, Nicole Dressel, Olivia Giganti, Paul Sych, Pedro Neves, Reyna Noriega, Rick Valicenti, Sarah Leuchtner, Scott Gericke, Sharon and Guy, Steven Ryan, Susan Bennett, Tanner Woodford, Thomas Chan, Tré Seals, Zach Minnich, and Zach Sherwood.

On May 2, 2025, ten youth poets from Young Chicago Authors performed original work at DMoC. Their poems, drawn from the 2025 Rooted & Radical Youth Poetry Festival, inspired artists and designers in the audience to create new pieces, turning an evening of poetry into a powerful exchange of language, design, and shared vision.

This program is made possible with funding from the Poetry Foundation. The Poetry Foundation recognizes the power of words to transform lives and works to amplify poetry and celebrate poets by fostering spaces for all to create, experience, and share poetry.