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CHICAGO – Navy Pier, Chicago’s mission-driven cultural district, is bringing a splash of color and beam of light in the form of art to the Pier’s Polk Bros Park this winter. From Friday, February 16 through Sunday, April 15, guests will have the opportunity to interact with Prismatica, a free, temporary public art installation presented in partnership with Quartier des Spectacles and RAW Design and supported by Hilton.
Prismatica is a dynamic art experience comprised of 25 six-foot pivoting prisms – resembling giant kaleidoscopes – that transform the space into a field of bold colors and bright lights. The prisms reflect every color in the visible spectrum and transmit blissful sounds upon interaction, allowing for infinite interplay with this unique art installation.
“We are constantly looking for artistic work that inspires curiosity and creativity among our guests, while also providing fun and memorable experiences,” said Navy Pier Chief Program and Civic Engagement Officer, Michelle T. Boone. “Prismatica aligns perfectly with our mission and serves as a great example of what happens when art intersects with play.”
Navy Pier is set to host a free public ceremony for the grand opening of Prismatica on February 16 at 5:30 p.m. in Polk Bros Park. Guests are invited to count down to the lighting of the installation. Hot chocolate will be available to attendees on a first-come, first-served basis. Following the opening ceremony, the installation will be on display and open to public interaction every day during standard Navy Pier operating hours through April 15.
“Navy Pier plays an integral role in attracting visitors to Chicago, offering a variety of unique experiences tailored to people from all walks of life,” said Hilton Senior Director of Destination Marketing, Anna Dix. “Prismatica has all the makings of a hit public art installation that is sure to draw attention and participation from Hilton guests in Chicago.”
Prismatica is brought to Navy Pier in part by Montreal-based Quartier des Spectacles, the same group that presented last year’s hit art installation, Impulse. They have now teamed up with Toronto-based RAW Design to present the imaginative and whimsical creation that is Prismatica. The intricate design showcases the installation’s stunning prisms, made of panels laminated with a dichronic film, that reflect a variety of colors in juxtaposition to the light source from the standpoint of the observer. The prisms are mounted on bases containing projectors. As the prisms rotate, guests will hear the soothing sounds of soft bells, combining the elements of color, light and music.
Prismatica is part of Navy Pier’s ongoing commitment to offer guests free, one-of-a kind arts and culture programming, designed to inspire, educate and connect communities and guests across the city and globe. Navy Pier’s free cultural and community programming is supported by the Polk Bros. Foundation. For more information on this and other special offerings at the Pier, visit www.navypier.org.
RESOURCES: Photos | Credit: Cindy Boyce
NAVY PIER MISSION STATEMENT
Navy Pier is the People’s Pier, Chicago’s lakefront treasure, welcoming all and offering dynamic and eclectic experiences through partnerships and programs that inspire discovery and wonder.
ABOUT NAVY PIER
Visit our new website, navypier.org. The change to .org is small, but impactful. We are excited to move in to our second century as a mission-driven cultural district, welcoming all and inspiring our more than 9 million guests.
Located on Lake Michigan, Navy Pier is one of the top-attended nonprofit cultural destinations in the Midwest, stretching more than six city blocks and welcoming more than nine million guests annually. Originally opened in 1916 as a shipping and recreation facility, this Chicago landmark showcases more than 50 acres of parks, restaurants, attractions, retail shops, sightseeing and dining cruise boats, exposition facilities and more. In 2017, Navy Pier continues to celebrate its centennial with a series of special events and programming, year-round rides on the Centennial Wheel and ongoing pier-wide redevelopment efforts as part of the Centennial Vision. Navy Pier, as a nonprofit organization, maintains and manages the 50-acre pier that is being redeveloped as a contemporary, environmentally responsible urban space. More information is available at www.navypier.org.
About Navy Pier
Navy Pier is the People’s Pier, Chicago’s lakefront treasure, welcoming all and offering dynamic and eclectic experiences through partnerships and programs that inspire discovery and wonder.
Since its reopening in 1995, more than 180 million guests have come to enjoy the Pier’s 50 acres of unparalleled attractions and experiences. In 2022, Navy Pier continues to evolve into an accessible, year-round centerpiece for Chicago’s diverse arts and cultural treasures.