“What Time Is It?” A Cultural and Civic Archive invites Chicago’s BIPOC & LGBTQIA+ artists, healers, and freedom fighters to examine our historic moment through the lens of global time.

Check out the full archive.

“What Time Is It?” was inspired by Grace Lee Boggs & Jimmy Boggs who organized for Black Power in Detroit for over 50 years. Together they visualized 3,000 years of human history on a 12 hour clock where every minute represents 50 years. Building on this model of time, they theorized that revolution as the primary driver of social change is only 5 minutes old. They advocated for “visionary organizing” rooted in re-imagining not only structures and institutions, but also ourselves and our relationships. 

Founded in May 2020, by interdisciplinary artist Irina Zadov, the archive uplifts and documents Chicago’s social, political, and cultural histories through visual art and oral histories. Our creative team includes: graphic designer Jay Sath, editor and public programmer Rivka Yeker, audio producer Najee-Zaid Searcy, and interdisciplinary artist and curator Juarez Hawkins.

Exhibitions & Public Programming

April 5, 2021 - May 2, 2021 “What Time Is It?” A Cultural & Civic Archive was projected in the main gallery of the Hyde Park Art Center in conjunction with Faheem Majeed’s Planting and Maintaining A Perennial Garden: Shrouds Exhibition.

“What Time Is It?” A Cultural & Civic Archive had its first large scale solo show at the Chicago Art Department from November 10th - December 1st, 2023. The exhibition featured a book launch, panel discussion & intergenerational family programming. The panel discussion featured community archive participants: William Estrada, Kamilah Rashied, Dave Stovall, and Benji Hart facilitated by Hilesh Patel.

“What Time Is It?” also had a book launch at First Sip Cafe on July 15, 2024 featuring a panel of archive participants include: Patricia Nguyen, Benji Hart, Fawn Pochel, and Irina Zadov.

Artist Book

The What Time Is It? artist books is a limited edition 180 page artist book featuring 20 full-color portraits and conversations painted and facilitated by Irina Zadov, designed by Jay Sath and printed by For The Birds Trapped in Airports. The book was edited by Rivka Yeker, Stepha Velednitsky, Rosie Accola, and Percy Van Ort.

Featured artists, activists, and healers include: Irina Zadov, zakkiyyah najeeba dumas o’neal, Brenda Hernandez, Sanie Yi, Fawn Pochel, Aymar Jean Christian, Benji Hart, William Estrada, Aislinn Pulley, Dave Stovall, Kamilah Rashied, avery r. young, Todd Palmer, Tracie D. Hall, Juniper Battle, Natalia Stroika, Tonika Lewis Johnson, Patricia Nguyen, Zebulon B. Hurst, and Peregrine Bermas.

Audio Stories

What Time Is It? Portrait Conversations is a curated selection of intimate conversations between Irina Zadov and the What Time Is It? portrait participants recorded between May 2020 and August 2023. These audio stories were lovingly produced by Najee-Zaid Searcy, transcribed by Rivka Yeker, and designed by Jay Sath.