ART ON theMART ANNOUNCES SPRING 2020 PROGRAM

Largest Permanent Art Projection in the World to Feature Collaborations with Art Institute of Chicago and Arts of Life, Launching April 1.

Chicago—Art on theMART, the largest permanent art projection in the world, returns April 1, 2020 to illuminate the river-façade of the historic landmark theMART (formerly Merchandise Mart). The program is expanding to project every night from April 1 through December 31, 2020 with content that will rotate seasonally, beginning April 1 with Art on theMART’s spring 2020 program. The program features collaborations with longstanding Chicago institutions including the Art Institute of Chicago, whose projection transforms iconic masterpieces by Claude Monet in conjunction with the museum’s exhibition Monet and Chicago; Arts of Life, whose 20th anniversary celebration projection takes inspiration from works created by artists affected by developmental disabilities; and The Adler Planetarium, which celebrates its 90^th anniversary and the 2020 Year of Chicago Music with a sweeping, four-part visual exploration of the universe, accompanied by music by Sun Ra from the Experimental Sound Studio archives. Arts of Life and the Art Institute of Chicago projections will launch April 1, and the Adler Planetarium projection will launch May 16 in alignment with the City of Chicago’s Chicago Riverwalk opening celebration.

“We are delighted to kick off the 2020 program season with such strong content partners,” said Cynthia Noble, Executive Director of Art on theMART. “As we begin year three of theMART’s long-term partnership with the City of Chicago, we are already becoming an integral part of the cultural fabric of the city and an iconic public art platform that amplifies what is important to Chicagoans and the world.”

Arts of Life (April 1 – May 12)
City Circle Heart features five studio artists’ work in a custom animation designed to interact with the unique architecture of theMART. The projection takes inspiration from those impacted by Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) which often affects those with learning disabilities. While the effects of SPD can vary from person to person, the projection creates a calm and soothing display of visual work that will attract people of all abilities to appreciate the movement, colors and unique soundscape created for theMART’s river-façade. The projection features original artwork by Arts of Life artists Marcelo Añón, Veronica Cuculich, Stefan Harhaj, Hector Jones and Maria Vanik with motion graphics and sound production by Lisa Armstrong.

“Art on theMART provides an ideal opportunity to highlight our commitment to supporting artistic expression, to providing professional development opportunities for artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities and to introducing our artists’ work to new audiences,” said Denise Fisher, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Arts of Life. “This featured presentation will build on the momentum of recent public art displays in the Chicago Cultural Center, the Wrigley Building and within theMART to create our largest public display to date – a perfect culminating project for our 20th Anniversary.”

About Art on theMARTArt on theMART is the largest permanent art projection in the world, illuminating new media artwork across the 2.5 acre river-façade of theMART. This expansive permanent public art platform continues Chicago’s legacy of providing both residents and visitors with exceptional art that is both free and accessible to all. Privately funded by Vornado Realty Trust, owner of theMART, Art on theMART marks the first time a projection of its size and scope is completely dedicated to projecting new media artwork. The program is selected with the assistance and expertise of the Curatorial Advisory Board and operates in partnership with the City of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. Projections are visible to the public from Wacker Drive and along the Chicago Riverwalk, with content rotating seasonally from April through December. Art on theMART will launch its spring program in April 2020. For more information, visit https://www.artonthemart.com/ or follow @artonthemart.