First there was Dale Chihuly’s delicate glass art show. Then, the Niki in the Garden exhibit with large brightly colored ceramic mosaics. Now, a new temporary light and sculpture installation is helping turn the Garfield Park Conservancy into an art gallery under glass.
The latest exhibit called solarise by Chicago’s Luftwerk Studio will be on display at the conservancy, highlighting its architecture and plant collection, for one year beginning Sept. 23, the city and Chicago Park District announced on Wednesday.
“During the day, the installations will use sunlight to provide a unique experience of shadow play and a cloak of color for rooms throughout the building. Solar panels will power the energy efficient LED lighting that will illuminate the sculpture both indoors and outdoors during evening hours,” the news release said.
The interactive installation, paid for through a grant from ComEd and Exelon, falls in line with Mayor Emanuel’s initiative to put art in public places including parks, the lakefront and in neighborhoods.
Here are some of the pieces included in the exhibit at the conservancy, according to the release:
The Beacon, LED lights connected to the Palm House and visible from inside the conservancy and outside in front of the building
Florescence, canopy of red and blue petals that shine down in colorful shadows inside the Show House
Seed of Light, a ripple of shadows across the floor of the Horticulture Hall
Prismatic, a prism sculpture in the Desert House
Portal, mirrored sculpture panels to frame the Palm House reflection pond and the Fern Room’s waterfall
Luftwerk also created a light installation called the transLIT illuminating the viaducts of Humboldt Boulevard for the opening of The 606 as well as another called Luminous Field in 2012 illuminating Cloud Gate, or “the Bean” at Millennium Park with geometric shapes.
