Program Details 2025*

Title

Confessions of a Mad Iconographer: Thoughts on Seeing Something Where Everyone Else Sees Nothing

Description

Art historian and cognitive archaeologist Christopher Kilgore will reflect on his adventures in research, lauding mentors and detailing opposition from a few respected but wretched individuals. He will share his original insights, from decoding ancient visual mysteries through years of private engrossment to discerning artists' cleverly hidden Easter eggs in a spontaneous flash of intuition. Chris will discuss connoisseurship, cognitive knacks, “amateur” scholarship, and the indispensability of the Western Canon of Art. (Full disclosure: Christopher Kilgore is not technically insane.)

Presenter’s Name

Christopher Kilgore

Presenter’s Bio

Christopher Kilgore has spoken at numerous RGs and AGs and has presented his original research at museums and universities in the United States, France, Britain, Spain, and Belgium. Chris is an alumnus of Rice University and received his MA in Art History from the University of Houston, where he was awarded the Art History Writing Fellowship. At the 2018 Indianapolis AG he was crowned “Mr. Mensa.”

*Note: This program was offered last year and may or may not be offered again this year.

Deadlines

  • Registration - Friday, July 17th is the last day to qualify for a great discount. Discounts for advanced registration are available through Friday, October 16th. (Note: Full payment is required by the appropriate deadline to qualify for the discount for which you registered.)
  • Lodging - The hotel is offering a WeeM rate of $132 through Thursday, October 8th, subject to availability. If the hotel block is full, please contact our WeeM Chair  who will try to expand the block.

Follow WeeM on Social Media

29
Oct

Add HalloweeM @Westin North Shore Hotel

HalloweeM @Westin North Shore Hotel
[p]Chicago Area Mensa’s Regional Gathering (RG) HalloweeM is being held at the Westin North Shore Hotel. This is a large (about 500 attendees), fun, family-friendly event. Drinks, snacks, and most meals are included. There are games, tournaments, dances, and a multi-track program as well as the infamous Costume Contest on Friday and both Pretentious Drinking and the Epicurean Experience on Saturday. [/p][p]We encourage you to register and book your room in advance to qualify for any discounts, but you may register on-site. [p]Please sign-up on the website to volunteer in in late September or during October.[/p][p]Bring books and media to donate to our book sale—all proceeds are donated to a charity.[/p][p]See our HalloweeM website ([url]https://chicago.us.mensa.org/weem/index.php[/url]) for the most up-to-date details.[/p]
2026-10-29
16:00
2026-11-01
13:00
601 N Milwaukee Ave, Wheeling, IL 60090

Home Join Contact Members
Only