While going to the Chicago Bears game Sunday, I got sidetracked with a streetscape art installation in Chicago’s south downtown area. I saw the creations several times since they appeared on Roosevelt Road heading to Museum Campus, but I never really soaked it in nor learned more about it. Because I was painfully early for the game, I had plenty of time to inspect the entire stretch.

© BJ Krivanek – Krivanek+Breaux/ Art+Design

The “Places and Traces” streetscape runs about four blocks and features inscribed crosswalks, walkways, benches and streetlights. The stainless steel benches are etched with natural and cultural artifacts, events and places. Perforated aluminum forms matching streetlight profiles are inscribed with single words of momentary human thoughts. Random sidewalk pavers are engraved with words describing indirect human actions.

© BJ Krivanek – Krivanek+Breaux/ Art+Design

This was a very ambitious project because of the number of parts, the location and the number of people and organizations involved. Challenges included choosing the best words, making the elements extremely durable and working with civic and public groups. It took a lot of peaceful cooperation and collaboration, but all involved reported it was a surprisingly smooth process. Artists BJ Krivanek and Joel Breaux did a wonderful job making “Places and Traces” visually appealing and impactful while blending into the natural surroundings.

© BJ Krivanek – Krivanek+Breaux/ Art+Design

As expected, the Bears lost the game, but my unexpected detour into Chicago’s art scene made my day.

© BJ Krivanek – Krivanek+Breaux/ Art+Design

— John Wroblewski, online writer

© BJ Krivanek – Krivanek+Breaux/ Art+Design