The new pieces bring to an end a summer program of contemporary artwork.
We’ve been treated to many months of stunning art spectacles on the facade of the Merchandise Mart since they returned earlier in 2022 for a spring program in collaboration with Shedd Aquarium. After the climate change-themed projections of ‘Choral’ and the dynamic dance pieces of ‘Floe’ the 25-story-tall face of the Merchandise Mart then brought to life ‘Billiken’ inspired by the largest and longest-running African American parade in the country, Chicago’s annual Bud Billiken Parade and Jonas Denzel’s sound-focused piece ‘explore’ along with Nick Cave’s ‘Ba Boom Boom Pa Pop Pop’.
Running through Friday, November 18 the “largest permanent digital art projection in the world” is now showing two completely new shows ‘Trap Moulin Rouge’ by Jasmin Taylor and ‘Love Letters’ by Yuge Zhou. Both shows are presented in alignment with the City of Chicago’s 2022 Year of Chicago Dance and will light up the 2.5-acre river-façade at 8:30 & 9 pm nightly.
According to the Art on the MART program, ‘Love Letters’ is a video projection by Chinese-born, Chicago-based artist Yuge Zhou that “portrays a lively courtship dance between two urban dwellers searching for each other through a labyrinth of colorful geometry.”
Jasmin Taylor’s ‘Trap Moulin Rouge’ meanwhile has been made in co-production with Motion/Pictures Dance Project and takes audiences to Chicago’s South Side to showcase the vibrant Black culture and dance that emanate from it.
“Taking sonic and aesthetic inspiration from the 2001 film “Moulin Rouge,” Trap Moulin Rouge combines classical, R&B, and jazz melodies with a variety of dance styles with the aim of creating and promoting equity in Chicago through the performing arts” reads the summary.
Attracting thousands to the Riverwalk and Wacker Drive in downtown Chicago every week Art on theMART provides a public platform for local artists, national artists, and international artists with work ranging from schools to renowned exhibitions and everything in between.
The 30-minute shows run nightly at 8:30 pm and 9 pm. The best places to view the projections are from the jetty section of the Chicago Riverwalk between Wells and Franklin Streets.
More information can be found at artonthemart.com/programming.
[Featured image from artonthemart.com]