Cirque du Soleil’s Presents City With Public Art Projections Inspired by VOLTA

Cirque du Soleil's Presents City With Public Art Projections Inspired by <em>VOLTA</em> 1 Cirque du Soleil, in celebration of its latest production, VOLTA, which starts performances in Chicago May 18, is presenting the City with a unique series of public art projections inspired by the show for the next three weeks through May 25. VOLTA, a story of transformation taking place in an urban setting, will transform three of Chicago’s most popular urban neighborhoods - Lakeview, West Loop and Wicker Park - with one-of-kind installations. A different dramatic 10 x 10’ black & white mural inspired by VOLTA’s geometric elements will ‘pop up’ in each neighborhood for one week only – and come to life in a full color spectacle each evening from 8-10pm through vibrant illumination. Free and open to the public, residents and passersby are invited to come together at the following locales: Lakeview Low-Line, at Southport Avenue, now through May 11; Old Saint Pat’s Church, 700 W. Adams Street, May 12-18; and outside of Big Star Chicago, 1531 N. Damen Avenue, May 19-25.  “VOLTA is our most contemporary show, inspired by the urban sports and culture. We thought there’s no better way to express that energy than via this series of murals activating Chicago neighborhoods,” said Steven Ross, Senior Publicist of VOLTA by Cirque du Soleil. “VOLTA also tells a story about freedom and self-acceptance. It’s about being true to oneself and fulfilling one’s true potential, which is a positive message we want to share with the Chicagoans.” 

Cirque du Soleil, in celebration of its latest production, VOLTA, which starts performances in Chicago May 18, is presenting the City with a unique series of public art projections inspired by the show for the next three weeks through May 25. VOLTA, a story of transformation taking place in an urban setting, will transform three of Chicago’s most popular urban neighborhoods – Lakeview, West Loop and Wicker Park – with one-of-kind installations. A different dramatic 10 x 10’ black & white mural inspired by VOLTA’s geometric elements will ‘pop up’ in each neighborhood for one week only – and come to life in a full color spectacle each evening from 8-10pm through vibrant illumination. Free and open to the public, residents and passersby are invited to come together at the following locales: Lakeview Low-Line, at Southport Avenue, now through May 11; Old Saint Pat’s Church, 700 W. Adams Street, May 12-18; and outside of Big Star Chicago, 1531 N. Damen Avenue, May 19-25.  “VOLTA is our most contemporary show, inspired by the urban sports and culture. We thought there’s no better way to express that energy than via this series of murals activating Chicago neighborhoods,” said Steven Ross, Senior Publicist of VOLTA by Cirque du Soleil. “VOLTA also tells a story about freedom and self-acceptance. It’s about being true to oneself and fulfilling one’s true potential, which is a positive message we want to share with the Chicagoans.” 

Concepted by creative media agency Empower and designed by Chicago Projection Mapping, LLC, illuminated temporary mural designs will transform each neighborhood. By day, 2D black & white murals are in place, drawing the eye but quickly becoming a part of daily life in the neighborhood, but then, by night, the murals will come to life with 3D illusions and animations, ‘breaking the fourth wall of the audience’s perception and expectations of street art,’ according to Chicago Projection Mapping Director of Development J Matthew Nix.

Each neighborhood will showcase a different design to be activated for two hours per night, starting at 8 PM, with a rotating library of over thirty minutes of original content on display and live-mixed by CPM artists.

About the show

Energetic, urban and contemporary, VOLTA is a captivating voyage of discovery that showcases never-before-seen under the Big Top acrobatics in a visually striking world. Driven by a stirring melodic score and inspired in part by the adventurous spirit that fuels the culture of street sports, VOLTA is a story of transformation. It is about being true to oneself, fulfilling one’s true potential, and recognizing one’s own power to make it possible. Ultimate freedom comes with self-acceptance, and with the liberation of the judgement of others.

Cirque du Soleil will present VOLTA’s Chicago engagement under its signature Big Top at the Soldier Field South Lot, 1410 Museum Campus Drive, Chicago, May 18 – July 6, 2019. Tickets, starting at $49, are available for purchase by visiting cirquedusoleil.com/volta or calling 1-877-9CIRQUE (1-877-924-7783).

Partners

VOLTA gratefully acknowledges its Official Partners, Hennessy Black, Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte, and Sirius.

Cirque du Soleil

VOLTA is Cirque du Soleil’s 41st original production since 1984, and its 18th show presented under the Big Top. The company has brought wonder and delight to more than 190 million spectators in more than 450 cities on six continents. Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group has close to 4,000 employees, including 1,400 performing artists from close to 60 different countries.

For more information about Cirque du Soleil, visit cirquedusoleil.com.