Federal Property Part of Chicago's 'Color Jam' Canvas

GSA's 202 S. State Street building in downtown Chicago was unveiled as part of Color Jam, a large-scale, multi-colored outdoor art exhibit on display throughout the summer. 

Created from 76,000 square feet of teal, lime green, and burnt orange vinyl and paint, Color Jam covers the surfaces of the four corner buildings of State and Adams as well as the sidewalks and crosswalks of the intersection. 

“[Color Jam] provides a moment to knock you off of your regular thinking/feeling track,” said Jessica Stockholder, the sculptor and installation artist commissioned by the Chicago Loop Alliance to create the piece as part of its award-winning Art Loop series. 

“There’s a kind of simplicity to it; it’s pleasurable,” Stockholder said, noting that the colors and shadows of the work change throughout the day, contrasting with the grays, browns, and blacks of the surrounding cityscape and giving passers-by the sensation of "walking through an animated film."

On display through September 30, Color Jam also invites the public to participate in "Jams" throughout the city – programs, concerts, and other artistic events around the Loop. Once such event, a lecture by Stockholder in July, was arranged by GSA's Great Lakes Region.

Check the Color Jam webpage for more photos and a map of Jam sites throughout the city.