RAVENSWOOD — When people walk near Lawrence and Damen avenues, neighbors may spy the CVS on the northwest corner or Budacki’s restaurant across the intersection.
But right nearby is the Northeast Levy Senior Center, 2019 W. Lawrence Ave., which officially is getting a new makeover to honor those who occupy the building.
A new mural shows faces of seniors who were photographed and had their faces digitally abstracted and painted on the wall. The mural also features the different activities that take place in the residency, ranging from mahjong to karaoke.
Artists Christophe Gausparro and Jeff Zimmermann won a Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events contest last year that allowed them to paint the mural. They have been designing the wall since last winter, working in Zimmermann’s studio before it got warmer outside.
“I know people that live in that neighborhood and have lived there for years and they don’t even know that that’s a senior center,” Gausparro said. “So what they wanted to do is celebrate what it is, and bring attention to it, and showcase the fact that this is a really great place for people to find.”
Gausparro and Zimmermann have been heavily involved in the Chicago arts scene for decades. Zimmermann’s artistic style is described as hyper-realistic, while Gausparro describes his own style as working with more color theory while working graphically.
Their collaborative piece helps portray different perspectives from different people.
“Both of us are sort of collaging [images] into these stories that allow for multiple interpretations from people,” Gausparro said.
While the mural is already in place, a ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. Sept. 14 at the mural site.
Gausparro hopes visitors appreciate some of the mural’s smaller details. From the brick being used to the plant silhouettes, there’s much to comprehend when gazing upon the surface.
“There was just a lot of a lot of caretaking into making sure that this piece not only grabbed attention and was vibrant, but also really worked seamlessly into the wall itself, as if it was like an extension of the architecture,” Gausparro said.
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