All tomorrow’s art parties: “Polaroids: Mapplethorpe,” “Holle Cambodia” and “Tender Twenties”

Robert Mapplethorpe

Okay, this isn’t really a party, but I, at least, am dancing up and down at the thought of “Robert Mapplethorpe: Artist and Activist.” The Block Museum (Northwestern University, 40 Arts Circle Dr, Evanston) hosts this free symposium Saturday 7, from 2–4pm, in conjunction with its “Polaroids: Mapplethorpe” exhibition, and the distinguished speakers include Catherine Opie, who’s one of my favorite photographers; the show’s curator, Sylvia Wolf; and Northwestern prof Lane Relyea. Read our story about  “Polaroids: Mapplethorpe” here and see some of his photos in our gallery.

Anne Elizabeth Moore teaches a zine workshop at ThreeWalls (119 N Peoria St, suite 2D) on Saturday 7 from 3–5:30pm in conjunction with “Holle Cambodia,” an exhibition of zines, photographs and audio books made by young women who took a self-publishing workshop she taught in Phnom Penh. (ThreeWalls provides supplies and refreshments, $5 suggested donation.) Moore discusses “Holle Cambodia” in this week's issue.

Spudnik Press (1821 W Hubbard St, suite 308) hosts a free opening reception for “Tender Twenties Print Exchange” Saturday 7 from 6–10pm. Curator Angee Lennard asked about 20 twentysomething artists to submit prints that define their demographic.