September 29, 2018

Statement from Mayor Emanuel on Art on theMART

Mayor's Press Office    312.744.3334

“Art on theMART is a visionary project that brings Chicago’s legacy of public art and iconic architecture into the future. More than 32,000 people came out to witness history at tonight’s launch event, as one of Chicago’s most prominent buildings lit up with the largest curated art projection in the world. I want to thank Vornado, theMART, Terra Foundation for American Art, the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events and the many others who took part in helping reshape the way people interact with the Chicago River.”

Art on theMART will feature work by renowned contemporary artists, Diana Thater, Zheng Chongbin, Jan Tichy and Jason Salavon. The first-of-its-kind digital installation will be projected across 2.5 acres of theMART’s exterior river-façade, creating the longest-running and largest permanent digital art projection in the world.
Projections will be displayed for approximately two hours a night, five days a week (Wednesday – Sunday), for ten months of the year (March – December). Projections will be visible to the public from Wacker Dr. and along the Chicago Riverwalk.

The City of Chicago and theMART will work in partnership to manage and curate the projected artwork over the course of a 30-year agreement. Privately funded by Vornado Realty Trust, owner of theMart, Art on theMART marks the first time a projection of its size and scope will be completely dedicated to digital art with no branding, sponsorship credits or messaging.

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