After transforming Garfield Park Conservatory with the popular installation, “solarise: a sea of all colors,” artistic duo Luftwerk is setting its sights on the 606 for its next public project. Artists Petra Bachmaier and Sean Gallero have proposed an LED light installation on the trail's Milwaukee Avenue bridge, entitled “Turning Sky.”
More than just eye candy, Luftwerk's proposed display of lights will present a visualization of current weather data, changing color as factors such as temperature and wind speed rise and fall throughout the day. “Turning Sky” would be the latest in a string of art installations on the 606, including Chakaia Booker’s Brick House 2015 in the Damen Arts Plaza and a mural near Humboldt Boulevard that was painted by students working with the nonprofit organization Marwen.
The Trust for Public Land is currently running a crowdfunding campaign to raise money for the installation and several other ongoing art projects along the 606. The campaign is raising $25,000 for the 606 Arts Program, which will go toward maintaining the graffiti garden, funding performing art on the trail and obtaining new rotating installations. It's unclear how much of the money will be put toward “Turning Sky,” but there's a chance that you may never see twinkling lights on the Milwaukee Avenue bridge if this campaign doesn't reach its goal.
According to DNAInfo, “Turning Sky” could be installed in mid-December and remain on the bridge for up to five years. Take a look at a visualization of the project below:
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