ACTIVATE is an “interactive exhibit of art and culture,” conceptualized and coordinated by the Chicago Loop Alliance. Each event re-imagines an ordinary alley in the Chicago Loop, transforming neglected spaces into destinations for unique cultural experiences.
ACTIVATE’s opening night for the 2015 schedule, ACTIVATE: NIGHTBLOOM, was held Friday, May 15, 2015, from 5:00-11:00 in the Sullivan Center Alley. I arrived at 7:00pm to a streetscape packed with eager attendees. The evening was an extraordinary success, with a projected 1,500 total visitors throughout the night.
Using the tagline “Linger Longer in the Loop,” ACTIVATE programs ensure that many who work downtown don’t rush home after quitting time.
A festive atmosphere, fueled in part by $4 beer and wine, ensures an evening of energetic encounters with artists and art lovers alike.
The initial night of the season was curated by Johalla Projects, and included art, video, audio design, and a photo booth, all enhancing the sense of creative immersion. The most compelling projects were truly interactive: wooden pyramids lit from within functioned like inspired campfires around which people congregated. In a video projection of elephants, the animals seemed to sway across the surrounding walls, amplifying the mood and music selected by the DJ.
Future ACTIVATE events for the 2015 season are scheduled for June 12, July 30, August 27, September 18, and October 23. Details about ACTIVATE, including location, are announced two weeks prior to each event. Sending an RSVP offers the added incentive of one free drink ticket, and a great night out downtown.
Each ACTIVATE occurs one night only, a compelling call to attend; I’ll be there.
The Flâneur's Turtle 