NAVY PIER WALK 2011 PUBLIC ART PROJECT
TRANSFORMS GATEWAY PARK INTO OUTDOOR ART GALLERY
Chicago (July 12, 2011) — More than two dozen eye-catching artistic installations have transformed Navy Pier’s Gateway Park into an outdoor art gallery near Chicago’s lakefront. Navy Pier officials are proud to join renowned Chicago and American contemporary artists in unveiling Navy Pier Walk 2011. This free public art exhibition will be on display through November 6. The largest outdoor installation of its kind in the country, Navy Pier Walk 2011 returns to Chicago after a 5-year hiatus.
Sculptures of various sizes, designs and materials now welcome lakefront and Navy Pier visitors to Gateway Park. Among the outdoor collection is a large, 14-piece sculpture, that reads, “fix – ice machene,” (note the intentional misspelling) and is spread across one of the park’s largest lawns.
Another work also capturing the attention and imagination of onlookers is a giant poster mural at the Lake Shore Drive viaduct at Grand Avenue, created by renowned street artist, Shepard Fairey. The “Revolutions Mural” (“Obey”) consists of album cover-style imagery, measuring 130’ by 10’. Millions of motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians who use the area to travel to and from Navy Pier this summer will see Fairey’s creation.
“I think public art is very important as a way to capture people’s imaginations, and encourage them to see public space as a forum for creative expression,” said artist Shepard Fairey.
“We are excited to have Navy Pier Walk 2011 back at the Pier. This public art will add aesthetic appeal to the beautiful landscape of Gateway Park, enhancing a space seen and visited by so many Chicagoans and visitors from around the world,” said Marilynn Gardner, Navy Pier General Manager. “We invite the public to come view these works as they spend time enjoying Chicago’s downtown lakefront.”
Navy Pier Walk 2011 curator Joseph Tabet hopes the artwork will amuse, engage and inspire passersby.
“I believe public art exhibitions are an important part of our visual culture. Through public art, people come together to share different ideas, cultures and aesthetics,” said exhibition curator Joseph Tabet. “As curator, my intention is to have Navy Pier Walk 2011 create personal experiences that address the cultural issues of today. And, at Navy Pier, I am fortunate to reach people of all ages and backgrounds. It is a fun exhibition and I hope it is widely enjoyed.”
Navy Pier partnered with the Streeterville Organization of Active Residents (SOAR) to spearhead the outdoor art project, including the Shepard Fairey mural at the Grand Avenue site.
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List of Navy Pier Walk 2011 Artists and Works:
Terry Allen (b. 1943 TX)
-“Nice”, 1991, Bronze, 32 x 19.5 x 20 inches
-“Shoe”, 1991, Bronze, 32 x 22 x 21 inches
The Art Guys, Michael Galbreth (b. 1956, TX) and Jack Massing (b. 1959, TX)
-“fix - ice machene”, 2011, site-specific multiple dimensions, 14 sculptures,
Ronald Bladen (1918-1988, NYC)
- Black Lightning (Garden), 1981, Painted aluminum, 8 H x 20 L x 2 D, feet
- V (Garden), 1973, Painted aluminum, 60 1/2 x 106 x 8 inches, 60 x 106 inches
- Kama Sutra (Garden), 1977, Painted aluminum, 6 1/2 x 4 1/2 x 6 1/2 feet
Shepard Fairey (b. 1970, CA)
- “Revolutions Mural”, 2011, 10’ x 130’
Harry Gordon ( NJ)
- “Snaphance”, 2011, Black granite, 8 x 8 x 4 feet
Ken Little (b. 1947, TX)
- “Lookout”, 2011, cast iron and steel, 9 x 18 x 8 feet
Peter Reginato (b. 1945, NYC)
- “Dear Purple”, 2011, Painted stainless steel, 89 x 78 x 43 inches
- “Hip Shaken Mama”, 2010, Painted stainless steel, 86 x 64 x 32 inches
- “Drunken Angel”, 2011, Painted stainless steel, 92 x 79 x 60 inches
- “Dear Vincent”, 2010, Painted stainless steel, 88 x 68 x 47 inches
NAVY PIER CONTACT: Jon Kaplan, Director of Public Relations, 312.595.5327
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