Say HELLO to ALO!

It has been a while since our last post, so I thought I would take the time to announce an exciting new project that we have been working on over at the TSG offices. Chicago Loop Alliance - who is always thinking of innovative new ways to engage Chicagoans in our city's rich culture - has joined forces with the Chicago Artists' Coalition to present ART LOOP OPEN.

This name might seem kind of confusing as we spent the entire summer promoting ART LOOP 2010 and Tony Tasset's much talked about EYE. However, since this is another CLA public art initiative it seems sensible to keep the names similar for branding purposes. Art Loop Open (or ALO as we have taken to calling it) is a Chicago-wide art competition. This may seem simple and straightforward...but it is not. There are so many facets surrounding this project that I am still trying to wrap my mind around it. Don't get me wrong - in order for this project to be successful it must have many working components, but in order to explain myself better I'll break it down in 3 parts: VISIT, VIEW, VOTE.

VISIT - as with everything CLA does, the point is to bring visitors into the Loop area and ALO is no different. This initiative is reaching out to tourists and Chicagoans alike. If you are a Loop employee and you need a quick coffee break, you have the opportunity to step out of your drab office and into a world of culture by visiting one of the many participating venues (Macy's, theWit, Palmer House...to name a few) and check out the many installations created by artists within the Chicagoland area. OR if you are a tourist and you are picking up your annual supply of Frango Mints at Macy's you might also realize you in the middle of an art gallery featuring sculptures, paintings and video projects. I mean...how often does that happen at the Woodfield Mall?

VIEW - this part is pretty self-explanatory. CLA and the Chicago Artists' Coalition are essentially turning some of the biggest venues in the Loop into public art galleries. The participating venues will be opening their doors for the sole purpose of showcasing some of the most incredible art to the public. Each venue will contain a range of pieces and let me tell you...no two pieces are alike.

VOTE - this is the exciting part. WE, the people of Chicago, determine the winners of ALO. That means you don't have to have an art history degree, be a student at SAIC, or have curated a rave-reviewed exhibition at the MCA in order to place your vote. All you have to do is go into one of the venues (or a few or ALL!) in between Oct. 15 - 21, check out some pieces and vote for some of your favorites. Then on Oct. 22 the Top Ten pieces will be announced and you get to vote for your absolute favorite. The winners will be announced on Oct. 29.

There are many ways that you can place your vote. First you can text in your vote, or use a special Smart Phone application, OR you can visit HUB 37. No, this is not the restaurant on Dearborn and Hubbard. This is a special area in Block 37 that will be the hub of communication during ALO. HUB 37 provides many different and innovative ways for ALO participants to engage and immerse themselves into the project, but I do not want to give too much away beforehand...so go check it out!

That is all for now. There will be more updates to come...but until then GET EXCITED.