Holding the title of the “largest permanent digital art projection in the world”, Art on theMART attracts thousands to the Riverwalk and Wacker Drive in downtown Chicago every week by transforming the 2.5-acre river façade of the Merchandise Mart. Taking a break for winter, the projections returned in April to once again provide spectacular art displays for passersby.
This year a special spring program in celebration of Art on theMART’s 5th anniversary, featured new commissions by internationally renowned artists Derrick Adams along with new works by local Chicago Public Schools (CPS) seniors before Pride projections lit up the mart with a nightly program of bold, bright colors and messages of inclusivity throughout June.
Now a new set of projections have begun illuminating the Merchandise Mart for the 2023 summer season including a new commission by the Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project.
A multi-year project house at the Logan Center at the University of Chicago, the Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project aims to uplift and strengthen the impact of Black dance in Chicago and beyond.
Running from July 6 until September 13, the new projection, titled The Big Bang: Movement Theory + the Black Dancing Body, will join Building Light which began on June 8 and will also continue through to September 13.
Designed by Anna Nelson and Franklin Guttman of Gensler’s Chicago brand studio, the ART on theMART website explains that Building Light “explores themes of discovery, urbanism, and change through four abstracted and time-lapsed vignettes.”
“Aiming to evoke optimism and wonder, Building Light speaks to what design can do for our communities and its ability to find creative solutions to society’s biggest challenges.”
The piece will be accompanied by an original soundscape from Gilded Audio, composed by Andy Chugg and Nick Dooley.
The best places to view the projections are from the jetty section of the Chicago Riverwalk between Wells and Franklin Streets.
The shows will run from 9 pm until 10:30 pm nightly.
More information can be found at artonthemart.com.
[Featured image from Art on TheMart]