Welcome Back, Chicago
Navy Pier, in partnership with the Design Museum of Chicago, is adding a splash of color to its North Dock wall with the installation of a vibrant new mural, Postcards to Chicago, which will bring alive the Pier’s iconic colors and symbols to enhance the guest experience, offer elegance to the entrance of the Pier and provide meaningful and accessible public art to Chicagoans and guests, alike.
This privately-funded new public artwork is centered on representational forms of four Navy Pier icons: the USS Chicago, Lake Michigan, the Centennial Wheel, and the Wave Wall staircase.
Centennial Wheel
Postcards to Chicago was made by the Design Museum of Chicago. The concept behind the colossal shapes and vibrant colors stems from the significant place Navy Pier holds in the visual makeup of Chicago. Each of the four towers represents a memorable and celebrated aspect of the Pier and are connected by a series of three compositions comprised of common geometric elements shared between them.
Lake Michigan
Each of Navy Pier’s four icons were documented by a talented group of photography students from Harry S Truman College (City Colleges of Chicago), the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and the University of Illinois at Chicago. Students worked collaboratively, and without art direction, to capture four still black-and-white images.
Wave Wall
Each photograph was then integrated prominently within the overall design, providing context for the artwork while amplifying student voices. The color palette utilizes shades of blue, magenta, and green from Navy Pier’s Lake Michigan, fireworks show and green spaces, respectively.
USS Chicago Anchor
Postcards to Chicago is part of Navy Pier’s free, year-round arts and culture programming, designed to inspire, educate and connect communities across the city and globe.
Centennial Wheel: Harry S Truman College, City Colleges Of Chicago (Photographers: Victoria Marty, Daniel Reyes, Mayra Cruz-Mendoza, Marco Tecua, Marilyn Ramirez; Teacher: Jaclyn Silverman)
Lake Michigan: University Of Illinois At Chicago (Photographer: Mark Paul, Teacher: Sara Condo)
Completed Panorama
USS Chicago Anchor: Harry S Truman College, City Colleges Of Chicago (Photographers: Victoria Marty, Daniel Reyes, Mayra Cruz-Mendoza, Marco Tecua, Marilyn Ramirez; Teacher: Jaclyn Silverman)
Wave Wall Staircase: School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago (Photographer: Alayna N. Pernell, Teacher: Oliver Sann)
With Love, From Chicago
Photo by: Murmur Ring (@mur.mur.ring)
Photo by: Murmur Ring (@mur.mur.ring)
Photo by: Murmur Ring (@mur.mur.ring)
Photo by: Murmur Ring (@mur.mur.ring)
Postcards to Chicago has been generously supported by Virginia and Norman Bobins, The Robert Thomas Bobins Foundation; Jim and Ann Nicholson; and the Linda & Richard Price Family Fund.
Prints by Color 4, LLC