In conjunction with EXPO CHICAGO 2018, Related Midwest has unveiled the three artists whose works will be featured in the grand lobbies of One Bennett Park, the developer’s new 70-story residential tower under construction in Chicago’s Streeterville neighborhood. The first Chicago high-rise designed by Robert A.M. Stern Architects (RAMSA), the lobbies in One Bennett Park will showcase works by internationally renowned artists Tomás Saraceno, Pae White and Nick Cave.
Related Midwest made the announcement during a private collector’s dinner at the seventh annual EXPO CHICAGO. The art was selected in collaboration with art consultant Andrea Hazen of New York-based Hazen Art Advisory. The mixed-media work by Cave, along with imagery of the site-specific commission by Saraceno and the piece by White, will be on display throughout EXPO, from Thursday, Sept. 27, through Sunday, Sept. 30, at One Bennett Park’s VIP Booth.
“The museum-quality pieces selected for One Bennett Park underscore Related’s commitment to commissioning and curating extraordinary art that enhances the daily living experience of our residents,” said Curt Bailey, president of Related Midwest. “From commissioning public sculptures like Thomas Heatherwick’s 15-story ‘Vessel’ for New York City’s Hudson Yards, to purchasing original works from local artists for our buildings’ amenity spaces, Related believes in the power of art to inspire communities and elevate design. At One Bennett Park, the breathtaking works by Saraceno, White and Cave complement RAMSA’s elegant, distinctive interiors and mark the beginning of our art program for this legacy building.”
One Bennett Park will display the works from Saraceno, White and Cave in its two separate lobbies: one for the 69 condominium residences, located on floors 41 through 66 and expected to deliver in early 2019, and another for the 279 apartment units, located on floors four through 39 and scheduled to open in November.
The condominium lobby, an expansive entrance with soaring 20-foot ceilings, will house a “floating” sculpture from Saraceno commissioned through the Tanya Bonakdar Gallery in New York City entitled “Stillness in Motion – 7 Airborne Self Assemblies.” Gracing the north wall of the condominium lobby will be an oversized cotton, lurex and polyester tapestry from White, an L.A.-based artist, entitled “Bugs’ +body[radom10)]+”_abrash”+(black/blue)+newCoke” (2016). Finally, “Tondo” (2018) will be the centerpiece of the apartment lobby—a mixed-media piece by the Chicago-based interdisciplinary artist Cave.
“With One Bennett Park, I sought to meet Related’s vision of featuring artists whose work would integrate seamlessly and meaningfully with the formal and classically inspired architecture designed by RAMSA,” said Hazen. “This meant going beyond the traditional mediums for lobbies and selecting artists like Saraceno, White and Cave, each of whom adds a distinct aesthetic and global perspective to the One Bennett Park collection.”
