Client: Riverside Investment and Development

Location: Chicago, IL, United States

Completion date: 2022

Artwork budget: $712,000

Project Team

Artist Duo

Petra Bachmaier and Sean Gallero

Luftwerk

Architects

Joachim Schuessler and Richard Barrett

Goettsch Partners

Fabrication

Vector Custom Fabricating

LED Lighting

Alex Agulair

RGB Light Inc

Sculpture Engineering

Alexey Nefedov

Laufs Engineering Design

Cast and Machined Aluminum Hubs

Scott Rayfield and Justin Allen

Trio Foundry

Aluminum Struts

Alro

PowderCoating

Paradigm Coatings

Installation

MJ Erectors

Overview

Artist duo Petra Bachmaier and Sean Gallero bring us this light sculpture in the breezeway of a newly constructed 50 story tower in downtown Chicago designed by architectural firm Goettsch Partners. Composed of more than 1,000 individual programable LED lighting nodes, Arboreta beckons those navigating the city’s streetscape to the respite of a beautiful and relaxing green space. Moving images of wind blowing through leaves, clouds in the sky, and sunlight filtering through foliage animate the sculpture to further enhance its geometry, reminiscent of tree branches. The two assemblies sprawl through an arial space spanning 30′ by 150′.

Goals

Arboreta provides an intimate transitional experience for those passing from the busy streets of downtown Chicago and a beautiful and relaxing green space open to the public.

Process

Luftwerk received a special invitation from Goettsch Partners to propose an installation for this new construction.
Vector Custom Fabricating was then approached to develop the project and ultimately build and install it. Several designs were considered by the assembled team before settling on a custom cast and machined aluminum hub which maintained the artists' desired aesthetic and kept the project within budget.