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Artist Interview with Kim Fjordbotten of The Paint Spot

Art in Public Places: Thank you The Arts Initiative

These photos of artwork were not taken in a gallery…

They were actually taken in a mall.

Alexis Marie Chute Chicago Mall Art balloons The Art Initiative

When I visited Chicago recently to speak at The Compassionate Friends of America National Conference (presenting on Healing through Visual Art) I visited the Art Institute of Chicago and the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago – but I also spent an hour at the outlet mall in the hotel district near the airport. What I found there were colourful and stimulating creative sculptures and 2D artwork at every turn.

Alexis Marie Chute Chicago Mall Art fashion The Art Initiative

First of all, I love that a commercial space invited such unique and eye catching art. Well done Fashion Outlets of Chicago.

 Secondly, this just goes to prove that you never know where you’ll find inspiration.

Alexis Marie Chute Chicago Mall Art escalator The Art Initiative

It turns out the mall has paired up with The Arts Initiative (Twitter: @artsinitiative1), a collective “dedicated to placing highly interactive visual art in public spaces.” The Work on show was curated by Miami-based Primary Projects Gallery. The mall features the work of many contemporary artists such as Daniel Arsham, Jim Drain, Friends With You, Bert Rodriguez and Jen Stark for example.

Alexis Marie Chute Chicago Mall Art rainbow The Art Initiative

Personally, I look for inspiration everywhere. That’s just who I am. Yet, I loved being totally surprised when I walked into the Fashion Outlets of Chicago. Fashion inspires me in its own right, but the mall truly was like walking through a place of cultural fusion. And I like that.

More about The Arts Initiative in the Fashion Outlets of Chicago

Alexis Marie Chute Chicago Mall Art food court The Art Initiative