Art on theMart Returns With New Program and Viewing Guidelines

WDCB’s Gary Zidek talks to Art on theMart executive director Cynthia Noble.

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WDCB's Gary Zidek talks to Art on theMart executive director Cynthia Noble about the public art organization's latest program.

“We think that this reopening is important now, because we think its going to be literally a light and beacon of hope for our city, our community at this time. At the same time we are taking a lot of precautions to make sure that we’re not convening in the way that we used to do it” - Art on theMart executive director Cynthia Noble talking about the decision to bring back programming this November.

Art on theMart executive director Cynthia Noble

One of the world’s largest art canvases has been reactivated after a long lay-off because of the pandemic. The latest iteration of Art on theMart debuted on November 12. A new 30 minute program featuring images from the Joffrey Ballet, Art Institute and the local non-profit Arts of Life is being projected onto river-facing façade of theMart, formerly known as the Merchandise Mart, every night at 7 and 7:30.

Projection of Claude Monet’s 'Stacks of Wheat (End of Summer),' 1890-91. The Art Institute of Chicago.

You might remember, Art on theMart originally debuted in the fall of 2018. High-powered projectors installed on the other side of the Chicago River project nearly one million lumens of light onto the 2.5 acre façade of theMart illuminating moving and static images. Art on theMart organizers collaborate with cultural institutions and artists on programming that’s usually rolled out multiple seasons. This year’s spring program was cancelled because of the pandemic. But an announcement earlier this fall revealed the public art program was returning in November, with some special guidelines to ensure everyone’s safety.

Projection of Bisa Butler’s 'The Princess,' 2018. The Art Institute of Chicago, Collection of Bob & Jane Clark.

Art on theMart has partnered with some cultural heavyweights for its new winter program. The Joffrey Ballet will debut a moving-image work of art featuring production images from its acclaimed production of The Nutcracker set to music from Tchaikovsky’s beloved score; the Art Institute of Chicago will present images from two of its current exhibitions, Monet and Chicago, and Bisa Butler: Portraits; and Arts of Life, a nonprofit working with individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities, will show a compilation of the artists’ images, animated together as a video projection.

Projection of the Joffrey Ballet's "The Nutcracker"; Photo courtesy of Art on theMART

Art on theMart’s new 30 minute winter program will be presented at 7 and 7:30pm outside theMart. In-person viewers are encouraged to social distance and everyone must wear a mask. If you don’t feel comfortable going in person, you can check out the projections virtually by visiting artonthemart.com. The program will continue through December 30.