Starting today, Chicagoans taking public transportation may be surprised to see a new array of trains riding on the Chicago Transit Authority "L" tracks, each one covered in colorful artworks by a slew of local artists.
The project is called “Track(ed) Changes” and it also features a number of community events that seek to expand the positive economic effects involved in hosting the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. In a way, the plan is to quite literally "spread the wealth."
According to the New York Times, the trains will be in use across town for up to a year, each one enveloped in art created by the likes of designer Nick Cave, Esperanza Rosas, Noel Mercado and many more.
“It’s all democracy related and fabulous,” designer Bob Faust, the project's curator, said to the New York Times, specifically mentioning that the group of artists tapped were told not to fall into the over political or electioneering.
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“Track(ed) Changes” isn't the only cultural effort tied to the Democratic National Convention in Chicago this year. In fact, cultural agency Gertie is working hard to kick off “Next Stop: Chicago,” a city-wide venture that focuses on local infrastructure inequality by launching a series of public art projects that coincide with the political event.
“Next Stop: Chicago is designed to highlight the important intersection of infrastructure and the arts through installations and programs that address resource allocation and infrastructure inequity—an issue that has disproportionately impacted Black and brown people in this city,” said Abby Pucker, the founder of Gertie, in an official statement. “This problem won’t be solved with a one-size-fits-all approach, and requires collaboration and creativity across sectors to ensure our city thrives at its highest level.”
Among the various activations brought forward by Gertie are a a few community arts festivals, a special sound scrulpture, new murals and a 50-foot-long light installation by Jack C. Newell and Vinod Havalad under the "L" tracks along Wabash Avenue.
Clearly, the city's cultural minds are going all out this week.