New artworks by 12 artists are now on view at the recently renovated Goldblatt Building at 1613-1635 W. Chicago Ave. The building, which is accessible to the public, is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call the Department of Cultural Affairs at (312) 744-6630 for more information on this project.
Commissioned by the Chicago Public Art Program, the following internationally-recognized artists submitted work which is permanently installed throughout the building: Don Baum (Chicago), Stephanie Brooks (Chicago), Rodney Carswell (Chicago), Carlos Flores (Chicago), Jin Lee (Chicago), Donald Lipski (Chicago native), James Lutes (Chicago), Thomas McDonald (Oak Park), Michael Piazza (Chicago), Art Shay (Deerfield), Tony Tasset (Oak Park), and Lane Twitchell (New York). The artwork consists of varying media, including sculpture, installations, conceptual art, photography, painting, and assemblages.
Much of the work relates directly to the Goldblatt building or the neighborhood. Twitchell’s work depicts a history of Chicago, and McDonald’s sculpture pays homage to the people who work in the building. Lipski’s two works pay direct homage to the Goldblatt Brothers Department Store, where both of his parents worked.
The city of Chicago Public Art Ordinance stipulates than 1.33 percent of the cost of construction or major renovation projects in municipal buildings be set aside for permanent public art. The Goldblatt art budget was $160,000.
History of the Goldblatt Building
Architect Alfred S. Alschuler designed the Goldblatt Building, which was constructed between 1921 and 1928. The City of Chicago purchased the property in 1996, and the building received landmark status in 1997. The renovation was designed by Holabird and Root. A collection of City Departments are housed at the Goldblatt Building, including the Mayor’s Office of Workforce Development, the Department of Consumer Services, the Department of Human Services, the Department of Children and Youth Services, and the West Town Senior Satellite Center (Department on Aging). |
