a bank in Uptown
a bank in Uptown places neon and argon light objects developed for synthetic sunshine throughout an abandoned bank in Chicago. Rather than illuminating the building as a whole, the works occupy specific spaces within its existing architecture including a vault, a caged storage area, and a small utility room. The light draws attention to structures designed around security, access, and control while transforming them into quiet spaces of contemplation.
Within the former bank, these architectural systems become inseparable from the economic systems they once supported. The installations illuminate fragments of that infrastructure without attempting to reveal it completely, suggesting larger networks of value and power that extend beyond the physical building. Despite this underlying tension, the experience remains peaceful and serene as the light temporarily changes how these functional spaces are perceived. 2015
