In this edition of Expositions Magazine, we examine what it means to be from a place. In a world that feels increasingly commodified and homogenized, it’s easy to forget about the cities and towns that have quietly retained ways of life that are decades—even centuries—old. Like all of our previous editions of Expositions, this occurs both at home and abroad. 

Our authors take us on a whirlwind tour of Chicago, with all of its abandoned buildings [9], haunting churches [76], and strange stores [34], and give us a view of the city as we’ve never seen before. What little pockets of heritage hide across the city? Can we find life where we least expect it? Readers who are into urban exploration: this issue is for you.

Leaving Chicago, we also get a fascinating look at the western United States, taking a pitstop in Las Vegas [78] and small town Utah [39]. While you may not characterize either of these locations as representing the heights of society, our authors uncover the heart hiding beneath the desert sand.

Of course, this wouldn’t be Expositions Magazine without international pieces. From the fields of Armenia, to the landmarks of Paris, to a timely look at Antakya, our authors not only invite you to inhabit cultures you’ve perhaps never considered before, but they seat you directly at the kitchen table.

It was our pleasure to work with all of the authors, illustrators, and photographers appearing in this edition of Expositions. First-person narratives continue to remain our mainstay, but we’re also proud to present in-depth investigative journalism, creative writing that blends the lines between fantasy and reality, and highly skilled works of architectural illustration. As you make your way through Issue No. 4 of Expositions Magazine, we hope you feel deeply rooted in all of the cultures you encounter.