SOS Color Code 2020

The Elmhurst Art Museum was one of the host sites for SOS Color Code 2020 by Luftwerk & Normal. The three flag installation in front of the museum transformed the international signal of distress (SOS) into a sign of solidarity and connectedness.

Video interview courtesy of Cleve Carney Museum of Art with Petra Bachmaier, Sean Gallero of Luftwerk, and Renata Graw from the design studio Normal. Petra, Sean, and Renata collaborated on the project SOS Color Code 2020

Online panel discussion courtesy of University of Southern Florida Contemporary Art Museum exploring SOS Color Code 2020 with Luftwerk and Normal, Chicago-based artists and designers; Renata Graw, Principal at Normal, a multi-disciplinary design practice based in Chicago; Cortney Lederer, Director of CNL Projects and Art in Place; and Dr. Lisa Yun Lee, Executive Director of The National Public Housing Museum; Moderated by Sarah Howard, USF Curator of Public Art & Social Practice.

A downloadable From Home poster and coloring activity can be found below. Whether visiting in person or from home, display these posters to create your own SOS signal and encourage others to vote. Learn how to register to vote, vote early and by mail in all 50 states at howto.vote

The three flag installation appears in multiple locations throughout Chicago and the US, calling for humanity and a willingness to help one another. See the Color Code exhibition page for more information on the installation and a list of other partner sites.

See this exhibition and more at the museum. Click here to buy advanced tickets and learn more about our COVID protocol before your visit.

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