Signs of the Times - September 2012 - 22

VINYL APPS
By Steve Aust

“The idea evolved into ColorJam, which, at more than 70,000 sq. ft., became the largest public-art installation in Chicago’s history.”

Jam Session
A Chicagoland provider transforms State and Adams into a digital-graphics mecca.

Throughout its history, Chicago built its hard-nosed reputation as
the “city with broad shoulders” (as characterized by poet Carl Sandburg in 1916) through its legacy as a meatpacking, manufacturing and textile-production center. However, the city’s tough reputation grew in tandem with a counterbalancing artistic affinity. Chicago’s worldclass symphony orchestra, the Art Institute of Chicago (one of the top U.S. art schools) and the Second City improv-comedy troupe (Dan Aykroyd, Mike Myers and Stephen Colbert are alums) attest to the city’s diverse culture and personality. The Chicago Loop Alliance, an organization that represents the interests of the diverse businesses within the district (which spans from the Chicago River to Congress Pkwy.), wanted a colorful backdrop to create buzz and attract more Loop tourism. The idea evolved into ColorJam, which, at 75,000 sq. ft., became the largest public-art installation in Chicago’s history. The project will remain in place at the intersection

The Chicago Loop Alliance, an organization that represents the interests of businesses and organizations located between the Chicago River and Congress Ave. downtown Chicago, commissioned ColorJam, a 75,000-sq.-ft. installation that’s reportedly the largest public-art installation in Chicago history. Alliance officials contracted Bloomingdale Signs (Bloomingdale, IL), a Signs by Tomorrow franchisee, to produce more than 70,000 sq. ft. of vinyl graphics.

of State and Adams Sts. until the end of September. The Loop Alliance has commissioned past public-art installations, such as Tony Tasset’s 30-ft.-tall eye

Jessica Stockholder (above), a multimedia artist and senior faculty member in the Univ. of Chicago’s visual-arts department, designed the graphics. Loop Alliance spokesman Tristan Hummel said, “We want to promote local arts and culture, and make State Street a destination. We hope ColorJam enhances the lives of anyone fortunate enough to experience the work.” 22 SIGNS OF THE TIMES / SEPTEMBER 2012 / www.signweb.com

sculpture, which was in place two summers ago. Jessica Stockholder, a well-known artist and sculptor who currently serves as chairwoman for the University of Chicago’s visualarts department, designed the playful ColorJam typography and composed the brilliant color palette. “The arts community in Chicago is both large and intimate, and I’m proud to be part of it,” she said. “My goal was to create something that could be part of the city, but not swallowed up by it. I enjoy that ColorJam slows people down to experience colors and surfaces that are unusual downtown.” The Loop Alliance approached Bloomingdale Signs (Bloomingdale, IL), a Signs by Tomorrow franchisee, about executing the project. Alan C. Schellerer, co-owner of Signs by Tomorrow, said, “They outlined the scope and the budget. It was up to us to work with these parameters. To complete the job, we took a very thorough look at

http://www.signweb.com

Signs of the Times - September 2012

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