THE MUSEUM CAMPUS​ - PUBLIC ART PROPOSAL 

'Harmony' is a monumental contemporary public artwork that ignites curiosity and expands the imagination by seamlessly blending aesthetic beauty, music, technology, community, and culture into a singular, captivating experience. "Harmony" is a beacon of hope!

CONCEPT
‘Harmony’ is one of the most ambitious public art projects in North America as it embodies a space, an experience, an artifact that exudes a profound sense of belonging, as though it was organically unearthed in situ, while simultaneously carrying an enigmatic allure as if it descended from the cosmos

​By fostering meaningful connections, interactions, and engagement, 'Harmony' aims to bridging people, cultures and communities together through distinctive, ever evolving, and transformative experiences. Our shared aspiration is nurturing innovative solutions that catalyze participation, growth, and expand public knowledge. 

The quest for 'Harmony':
At the heart of our initiative lies a fascinating narrative, one that we believe has the potential to complement and enrich the Museum Campus' identity as a destination with the community at its core. We believe that your involvement will not only contribute significantly to the success of our project but also offer you a rewarding experience as an integral part of our community-oriented initiative. 

​We envision repurposing the materials from the current Horizon Pavilion, such as wood and CLT (cross-laminated timber), to create benches, archways, and other landscape elements across the campus. This upcycling initiative will contribute to a sustainable narrative, blending innovation with environmental stewardship.

As 'Harmony' unfolds on the Horizon site, the plan is enhancing the area with unique paver patterns, seating areas, and designated “hangout” spots, reinforcing both placemaking and wayfinding. These elements will guide visitors through the newly created “Harmony Hub,” revitalizing the site while offering greater clarity to the overall campus layout. This effort will not only streamline navigation but also enhance the cultural experience for visitors to the three museums and the surrounding gardens.

Contributing to more sustainable and wildlife-friendly structures:

To mitigate bird collisions with reflective mirror surfaces, it is essential to break up the illusion of open sky or vegetation these surfaces create by applying visible patterns to the surface that birds can easily perceive. (i.e. patterns should have high contrast and be spaced no more than 2 inches horizontally or 4 inches vertically, as birds may attempt to fly through larger gaps).  Mitigating light pollution can be achieved by using programmable lighting systems that reduce the impact on birds and other wildlife in the vicinity. These systems can be set to dim or switch off unnecessary lights during critical periods, such as migratory seasons or nighttime hours when many species are most active. By using motion sensors and timers, light exposure can be minimized while maintaining functionality for human activity. Additionally, programming lights to emit warmer tones, which are less disruptive to wildlife, and shielding fixtures to direct light downward can further reduce skyglow and habitat disturbance. Such strategies create a balance between human needs and ecological health, fostering a more harmonious coexistence.

The 'Harmony' team will collaborate with professional consultants to develop practical and thoughtful solutions that harmonize human activity with the natural environment.

OUTREACH

As a Beacon and Hub to the Museum Campus, ‘Harmony’ offers an accessible experience that enhances the museum's environment, instilling a sense of wonder and curiosity that promotes learning. It fosters a connection to the place, creating a sense of belonging, safety, and intuitive exploration throughout the museum campus. ‘Harmony’ aims at creating an interactive, participatory, shared experience of creative expression.

TEAM MEMBERS & PARTNERS

'Harmony' is a place where innovation, education, and entertainment intersect and where individuals can connect to themselves, their community, their heritage and a narrative that helps define the community's identity and soul. Harmony addresses Land (Stone), Water (reflective Metal), and Stars (Oculus). Harmony creates a sense of arrival, a destination, an experience that makes you want to return regularly. Thus, connecting the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, and Adler Plenetarium as a cohesive Museum Campus experience.

A Tiered Approach to 'Harmony':
Central to Harmony’s strategy is the achievement of robust community engagement and outreach programming, encompassing various mediums like art, music, and motion graphics. With the goal of creating meaningful connections, interactions, participation, and a commitment to bridging people, communities, and cultures together through art, music, and technology.
​
This effort culminates in the creation of two Mockups known as 'Melody' (smaller-scale versions of ‘Harmony’ as depicted below). This "Proof of Concept" serves a dual purpose: first, to refine our understanding of the larger, more ambitious vision, and secondly, to produce two tangible artifacts that function as interconnected virtual portals in distinct spaces (e.g., exhibit halls in the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Adler Plenetarium, etc.). These portals will offer a comprehensive sensory experience showcasing artistic community affairs and activities.

PRECEDENTS - REFERENCES

Chicago is considered a public art mecca. Picasso, Chagall, Miro, Calder, Plensa, Kapoor, etc.— legendary artists ornament the City, making its streets an urban art museum everyone can enjoy. 'Harmony' will provide the same sense for the Obama Presidential Center

MATERIAL PALETTE

Careful consideration was given to technical principles related to durability, maintenance requirements, and the physical strength of the chosen materials. All selected materials not only meet these stringent criteria but also engage in a timeless dialogue on how they gracefully and naturally weather. The overarching intention is to embrace the inherent nature of these materials and observe this evolving conversation over time.

This curated material selection provides beauty, longevity, and is low-maintenance

• Custom Cast UHPC: Custom Bas-Relief Flora Patterns and textures, it requires minimal maintenance
• Mirror and Satin Stainless-Steel Components: corrosion-resistant, high tensile strength, very durable, temperature resistant, easy formability and fabrication, low-maintenance (long-lasting), attractive appearance
• Galvanized Rust-Proof Steel Structural Elements
• Stainless-Steel Hardware
• Commercial Grade LED Displays, Light Fixtures, Speakers & Sensors: with programmable capabilities, ready-available components, durable and safe for severe weather conditions

INTEGRATED TECHNOLOGY, MEDIA & SOUND

An opportunity for community engagement, outreach, and active learning experiences

MUSIC

PLAY, LEARN, EXPLORE, EXPRESS YOURSELF, AND SHARE

​Music, and Classical music particularly, can enhance, shape and enrich our society, communities, and personal development. Classical music provides a cultural touchstone connecting us to history and heritage. It can serve as a cross-cultural platform for exchange that promotes our understanding and empathy between groups. Classical music can bring people together through shared listening experiences, educational programs, and community ensembles, that enhance social cohesion and foster a sense of belonging. Classical music is not a luxury for elite groups, but an enriching opportunity for all. 'Harmony' will be instrumental in nurturing an environment where classical music can thrive as conprehensive to the public art experience

PRELIMINARY PROJECT SCHEDULE

TURN KEY SERVICE - WHERE STORY MEETS EXECUTION
SUPPLY            
Includes Design Assist, Design Development, Consulatancy with Environmental & Campus Professional Advisory, R&D, Coordination, Project Management, Material Samples, Prototypes, Mockup 1:1, Submittal Drawings, Raw Material Procurement, Custom Fabrication, Finishing, Staging, Quality Control

PACKING / CRATES / SHIPPING   
Includes custom crating, protection materials and labor, staggered deliveries and removal of packaging materials / clean up at site

SITE VISITS / INSTALLATION 
Based on Non-Union Supervision of Union Installation Labour /  Day Shifts, includes allowances for equipment

MEET THE ARTISTS
ANNA MURPHY: 
Born in England, Anna P. Murphy is a Chicago-based Artist with over a decade of experience working in many different communities and exhibiting artwork and installations in public spaces across Chicago and beyond. She has worked and collaborated with such entities as The Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago Park District, The Chicago Field Museum, Soho House Chicago, The Chicago Chinatown Community, South Chicago, La Villita, The Chickasaw Nation, IndyArts and Pacers Sports Entertainment, FrankArts, and many more. She cherishes her community-led projects and in collaboration with the Chicago Field Museum was recently a co-author of a how to guide book to inspire placemaking and public art in urban natural areas. She is a DCASE (City Of Chicago’s Public Art Prequalified List) approved artist, and was named by Artist Replete as one of Chicago’s top 10 artists to look out for in 2020. Her work has been featured several times in the Chicago Sun Times, Frank Magazine, The front page of The State Journal, Color and Curiosity, and one of her collaborative murals featured in the West Loop of Chicago includes acknowledgments from Oprah Winfrey. 

HERMAN MEJIA:
Originally from Tegucigalpa, Honduras, Herman Mejia is a North American based design entrepreneur committed to developing timeless built environments, iconic placemaking, and cohesive experiences. Bringing narrative to life and life to narrative, Mejia is driven by curiosity with expertise in architecture, public art, industrial design, and custom fabrication to co-create bespoke projects where execution and storytelling converge. Mejia strives to craft authentic experiences and products that can bring communities together and where creativity can push the limits of imagination. Working with a wide variety of clients and partners on projects of all scopes and scales, his pursuit is engaging end users at a higher, more sustainable level, culminating in lasting relationships. He draws inspiration from the modest beauty inherent in everyday life and the captivating mosaic woven by his travels, enriching his appreciation for the intricate facets that compose the tapestry of human experience. Learn more at HermanMejia.com

The combination of these artists’ works adds a vibrant and engaging artistic dimension to the public space with the aim to honor the past while inspiring the present and future generations through creative expression and story telling.

RESUME - ANNA MURPHY

​Unique quality that merges fine art and street art into one unique expression...
Rooted in spirituality and research into the power and divinity of feminine energy.
​A celebration of nature’s beauty and our divine connection to Mother Earth and Animal Kingdom

‘LEGENDARY’ 
by Anna Murphy
Features: 2,880 SF
Client: IndyArts and Pacers Sports Ent., Indianapolis, IN

Lead Artist of a 2,880 SF mural located in the Bicentennial Unity Plaza in downtown Indianapolis. The mural depicts 43 portraits of local legends of Indianapolis who had a significant impact on Indiana’s capital city between 1820 and 2020. Also included is flora and fauna that have symbolic connections to Indianapolis and to the individuals honored.  The 2,880 sq, ft. mural  is located in the Bicentennial Unity Plaza in downtown Indianapolis. Included are some of the City’s most prominent civil rights leaders, community activists, politicians, sports figures, arts and culture luminaries, educators, philanthropist and more. The blue and gold color palette is an homage to the Indiana State Flag. For this final installment of the ‘City of Indianapolis Bicentennial Legends Series’ more than 150 artists from around the county applied for the opportunity to paint the mural, and a 40 person committee spent six moths reviewing and selecting the legends for the mural, considering nearly 200 leaders. The final lineup includes Julia Carson, Eli Lilly, President Benjamin Harrison, Tony Hulman, Kurt Vonnegut, Madam C.J. Walker, Slick Leonard, James Whitcomb Riley, Hoagie Carmichael, Sam Jones, John Wooden, Richard Lugar, Bill Hudnut, and James Whitcomb Riley to name a few. An informational digital series highlighting the legends of the mural is featured inside the interactive ‘Sphere’ sculpture by Herman Mejia located adjacent to the mural.

“The vision for Bicentennial Unity Plaza has from its inception been to create a space to celebrate our city’s history, recognize our change-makers, and inspire new generations eager to lead our city into the future. The diverse group of legends depicted in the mural left their own unique imprints on Indianapolis and we consider it a privilege to honor them in this way”, said Andy Mallon, executive director of the CIB (Capital Improvement Board of Indiana)
‘We have some great murals in town, theres no doubt about it, but the fact that we could find a way to do a mural that has 43 of our forefathers on whose shoulders we stand. This is a group that has made Indianapolis such that guys like me want to spend their whole life here.” – Rick Fuson, Pacers Sports and Entertainment CEO
“Through these artworks, we are building knowledge of and appreciation for our city’s history and culture in an equitable, inclusive way.” – Julie Goodman, Indy Arts Council president and CEO
“Anna Murphy’s vision for this piece perfectly aligns with the spirits of unity, history, and equity central to what Bicentennial Unity Plaza stands for”. – Vop Osili, President of the Marion City Council

‘BEAUTIFUL AND BRAVE’  
by Anna Murphy
Features: 1.200 SF
Client: Franklin County Arts Council (FrankArts), Frankfort KY

​Located in Historic Downtown Frankfort Kentucky,  overlooking the Kentucky river, in the most popular three block radius of shops, eateries, and downtown attractions. One of three large scale murals to beautify the capital city of Kentucky as part of an international artist call by the Franklin County Arts Council for their downtown mural series. A permanent stop on the Frankfort Public Art tour.

“The work on the mural is already intriguing patrons. After having a meal at the restaurant, some walk outside to watch Anna paint. Arts Downtown gives people another reason to come downtown. It makes the area akin to an art museum, as some of the work does not have a Frankfort tie, but it is still made by a world-renowned artist. The art also provides an avenue for conversation to begin. Art allows people to come together and agree and disagree from all demographics.” -Kelly May, Frankfort Commissioner. Excerpt from The Washington Times article 2019

“I think what it brings to Frankfort is some new energy and it helps tell the story of our community better.” - Suzanne Gray, President of FrankArts

“You moved me mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. For the first time in my 50 years of life, I truly appreciated art. Thank you.”-Local Frankfort resident, excerpt from Frank Magazine article, 2020

‘HERE IN SPIRIT’ 
by Anna Murphy
Features: 1,600 SF
Client: Private Commission in collaboration with The Chickasaw Nation

​In honor of Hoka, a Chickasaw woman, who was allotted land in 1836 where a portion of Oxford was later founded. We remember and honor her history and the beauty of the Chickasaw people, which still remains to this day.
 
Inspired by their reverence for Mother Earth, the mural reflects native animals and plants of the Chickasaw Homeland including Red Wolf (which once populated the area), White Tailed Deer, Northern Mockingbird, Monarch Butterfly, and the Ofi Tohbi Ishto (Large White Dog) who was a spiritual protector and guide for the Chickasaw people. The plants include several native species such as Southern Magnolia and Southern Indica Azalea as well as plants culturally relevant to the Chickasaw people including American Lotus and Button Snakeroot.
 
A special thanks to Helen Overstreet of Mike Overstreet Properties, LLC for commissioning the mural, Earl Dismuke (Art consultant and curator), and the generosity and support of Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby.

“I want to thank Anna (Murphy) and Helen (Overstreet) on behalf of the Chickasaw Nation for their work in recognizing the Chickasaw history. This project is a step in honoring our Chickasaw ancestors and recognition of the resilient spirit of the Chickasaw people that remains to this day”. Shelby Banko, Chickasaw Nations Division of Heritage Preservation

‘PING TOM PARK - MURALS’ 
by Anna Murphy
Client: Ping Tom Park Advisory Council (PAC) and Coalition for a Better Chinese-American Community (CBAC)

​A series of monumental, 71’ x 20’, hand painted murals located at the center of Ping Tom Memorial Park, in Chinatown Chicago. The murals were created in close collaboration with the Chinatown community to bring beauty and elegance to the 18th St bridge underpasses. Their giant scale and classical designs bring a contemporary feel to traditional Chinese artistic practices and aesthetics. Working closely with the local community this was a collaborative effort from the design phase through to the painting of the mural, with the goal of bridging different cultures together.

“The mural is inspired by the beautiful and rich history of the Chinese Silk landscape paintings, considered by many to be the highest form of painting. Striking and bold in its large scale, it gives a contemporary feel to an age-old tradition. The reflective gold background sparkles with light as the sun moves across its surface, breathing new life into every changing moment. With a loving reverence for the natural world, this image is full of meaningful symbolism: the towering evergreen trees and elegant cranes are symbols of longevity; the flowers are symbols of purity and perseverance; and the birds are symbols of change and togetherness.” -Ping Tom Park Advisory Council 

RESUME - HERMAN MEJIA

Where Story Meets Execution...
Expertise in architecture, public art, industrial design, development, estimating, and custom fabrication to create bespoke projects where execution and storytelling converge, and where creativity can push the limits of imagination

‘TOGETHER’
by Herman Mejia (a design collaboration with Populous)
Features: 130’ Long by 30’ High, Mirror Stainless-Steel + Indiana Limestone + Lighting
Fabricator: Eventscape, Inc.
Client: Indiana Pacers, Indiana CIB

The centerpiece of Bicentennial Unity Plaza is an arced stainless-steel and limestone sculpture entitled ‘Together’, a gesture inspired by Kennedy & King’s historical connection to Indy. Two overarching geometries that almost meet, to be interpreted as the continuous effort to bring unity and harmony. “This sculpture, in particular, will be an important visual reminder of how and why we must bridge our differences and celebrate our diversity,” said Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett

In addition to serving as the gateway to the plaza, visitors will be able to engage with the sculpture using two mirrored alcoves designed for reflection and capturing photos. The sculpture also will include programmable LED lighting to highlight the custom limestone and trigger lighting effects at night at the alcove platforms

The objective was to take the vision for these public art sculptures and create a destination where people can come together, gather, and celebrate in community

---

‘SPHERE’ 
by Herman Mejia (a design collaboration with Populous)
Features: 23’-9” High, Mirror Stainless-Steel + Concave LED Media + Sound + Lighting
Fabricator: Eventscape, Inc.
Client: Indiana Pacers (PS&E), Indiana CIB

 ‘Sphere’ is an homage to Indy’s heritage and love for the game of basketball, a reflection of the self, and a blank canvas to tell stories that matter. Allowing Bicentennial Unity Plaza visitors an opportunity to interact from within the sculpture as well as around it. This dome-like installation is fabricated with the same stainless-steel elements of ‘Together’ and includes two kinetic screens that can project live images, video,  and sound as well as randomly selected photos of landmarks located across Indianapolis. The projection system is programmable for special events as well 

Adjacent to the home of the Indiana Pacers and Fever, the height of the domed art installation will be 23 feet, 9 inches, matching the distance from the NBA 3-point line to the basket. ‘Sphere’ is a blank canvas for storytelling that will engage plaza guests in so many ways. Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb said. “It’s about always leaving that Hoosier hospitality neon light on for all to see and all to gravitate toward”

“Bicentennial Unity Plaza represents a call to action to celebrate our history and diversity, engage each other, and collaborate on programming that brings to life our collective vision of a unified and inclusive community,” said PS&E Chief Executive Officer Rick Fuson. So, creating two distinct sculptures that work in unison and foster community engagement was the ultimate objective

‘CAMPFIRE’ 
by Herman Mejia & Michael Belmore
Features: 15’ High, Stainless-Steel Core + Custom Perforated Corten Steel Scroll
Fabricator: Eventscape, Inc.
Client: City of Toronto

A campfire at the water’s edge is an event, a signaling device, or celebration. A campfire offers warmth, provides comfort. It is an extension of the setting sun, pushing back the cool night air. At some point in our lives, most of us have been lost in thought, looking deep into the flickering light emanating from burning embers. This fire-inspired sense of solitude has existed since humankind first transformed kindling to flame.

Campfire’s core is a window into the past, present, and future, It frames the “instagrammable” moment  with the City of Toronto within its aperture. A tessellated skin custom fabricated from laser-cut, brake-formed corten steel with custom perforated motifs. Perforations upon corten flame integrate artwork from the community outreach program. To have a woman’s voice and as inspiration for the artwork, Jean Augustine Centre (JAC) participated in a community engagement workshop activity to empower young women and develop imagery that discusses important topics such as empowerment, inclusion, equality, justice, freedom, and representation.

Artists' News & Media