This summer at ER2 Image Group (formerly Bloomingdale Signs By Tomorrow), we’re jamming. Literally. As installers of Color Jam 2012, a massive multimedia work of art situated at the intersection of State and Adams in downtown Chicago, Bloomingdale Signs By Tomorrow worked two weeks straight to wrap sidewalks, crosswalks, buildings, lampposts, awnings, flowerbeds, and more in over 70,000 square feet of colored vinyl.
That’s enough material to wrap 130 buses.
Or make 50,000 copies of the latest Madonna record on vinyl.
Yeah, it’s big. The biggest public artwork in the history of Chicago.
The Chicago Loop Alliance chose ER2 Image Group( Formerly Bloomingdale Signs by Tomorrow) to bring world-renowned artist Jessica Stockholder’s vision to life.
According to Stockholder, Color Jam was deemed nearly impossible until the Chicago Loop Alliance found Gary Schellerer, Sr. and ER2 Image Group (Formerly Bloomingdale Signs By Tomorrow).
“Every work has its challenges. This became a lot less challenging once we found Bloomingdale Signs by Tomorrow. From that moment, the whole project seemed possible. Before that, we weren’t sure.” – Jessica Stockholder, Color Jam artist
Stockholder wasn’t exaggerating. A tricky execution combined with the street and sidewalk traffic of downtown Chicago, plus the occasional downpour from Mother Nature meant the installation process for Color Jam would be far from black and white. But ER2 Image Group (Formerly Bloomingdale Signs By Tomorrow) was more than up to the challenge. After producing, printing, and laminating four different types of material including window perf, banner mesh, concept vinyl, asphalt art and more.
The non-traditional shapes of many fixtures at the intersection required the best of skill to ensure a streamlined, clean look. “It’s kind of like wrapping a basketball,” joked worker Arek Marciniak as he covered an intricately designed lamppost with bright orange vinyl. “It takes a lot of heat, time, and patience. The finished result is so smooth, however, you’d swear the lamppost had been painted that color from day one.”
The Miller Weldmaster 112 Extreme took care of the building facades, welding together gigantic sections of banner in one pass. And it certainly lived up to its name. The quality of the work in sealing is so phenomenal, the seams between these pieces are almost invisible.
Installing Color Jam wasn’t only a great opportunity to showcase our execution and craftsmanship.
It was an opportunity to let ER2 Image Group (Formerly Bloomingdale Signs By Tomorrow’s) true colors show as a business. Remarked Tristan Hummel of the Chicago Loop Alliance,
“I’ve never really met a work force that speaks more highly of their boss, his family, and the company. The fact that they’re telling you that at 3 a.m. . . . that’s the sign of a successful company.”
Allan Schellerer, Director of Operations, gives credit to the collective experience and great people that make up “who” ER2 Image Group (Formerly Bloomingdale Signs By Tomorrow is).
“It took every part of our business, our experience and what we’ve developed over the last 20 years to put this project together, “says Schellerer. “From our graphic designers, to our installers, to our talented print staff, to our salespeople, it took all those pieces put together for this project to take life.”
And what a life it has taken. The explosion of fiery orange, cool turquoise and lime green at the intersection of State and Adams has made headlines around the country. Chicago natives and international visitors alike stop and gape at the sudden tidal wave of color. And ER2 Image Group (Formerly Bloomingdale Signs By Tomorrow) couldn’t be more thrilled. Color Jam will be up through September 30th, so there’s plenty of time to check it out.
