"Lightscape" to Bring Holiday Cheer to State Street

By Chuck Sudo in Arts & Entertainment on Nov 18, 2011 4:20PM

If you notice clusters of lights along State Street, it's part of a new art installation by the Chicago Loop Alliance called "Lightscape."

The group decided on the installation instead of trimming trees with white lights this year in the interest of doing something a little different.

Located in twelve planters from Lake to Van Buren, Lightscape will feature clusters of 50 to 100 LED lights each. Between 8 a..m and 11 p.m. each day, the installation's embedded speakers will broadcast musical selections and special announcements, as lights change patterns in synchronization with songs.
Lightscape is designed to be a year-round attraction that will break new ground in branding and placemaking, celebrating Chicago’s historic State Street in a new and exciting way. Additionally, by using low-energy LED lights in place of costly temporary holiday lighting displays, Lightscape will advance Chicago's standing as a leader in smart energy use.

When I was in vacation in Denver this summer I would pass the Federal Reserve Building downtown and hear different sounds broadcast from speakers embedded in the storm drains: trains, water rushing, birds chirping, along with public service announcements. If Lightscape is similar to that, a lot of people are going to lose their ever-loving minds. But it does look pretty.