IKEA Takes Art to a New Height with Its "Suite Home Chicago" Entry - A "Love Suite" with Living Works of Art

Furniture World Magazine

IKEA, a leading home furnishings retailer, proved that they can make any space livable by having two couples, dubbed the "Living Works of Art," actually live in an IKEA sponsored exhibit for three days from Thursday, June 7 through Saturday, June 9, 2001. The exhibit of heart-shaped furniture, called the "Love Suite," was designed by local artist and furniture designer, Georgan Damore, and included accessories and furnishings from the design experts at IKEA, known for making any space comfortable. The IKEA Love Suite was located at Pioneer Court, 401 N. Michigan Avenue, right in the heart of downtown Chicago. Like the phenomenally popular Cows on Parade, Suite Home Chicago included life-sized fiberglass forms - a sofa, chair, ottoman and TV- each decorated by a local artist, sponsored by a business or individual, and on display on Chicago streets from June 1 through October 13. "We love a challenge at IKEA and what could be a bigger challenge than turning fiberglass furnishings into a comfortable living space," said Ian Worling, store manager, IKEA Chicago. "We're very proud of the fact that at IKEA we really can make any space feel like home." For three days, the Living Works of Art couples not only lived in an actual piece of art - right in the middle of downtown Chicago - but they also helped to raise $15,000 for a great cause! During their stay, the couples participated in a "TV-a-Thon" to benefit the Snow City Arts Foundation, a local nonprofit foundation that brings art appreciation and education to hospitalized children. For every hour each couple watched television, IKEA donated $125 to the Foundation. Living Works of Art couples not only watched network TV but movies made by Snow City Arts patients. But it didn't stop there. The couples invited passersby who visit the exhibit to have a seat, put their feet up, and watch TV with them to help raise more money - for each additional visitor, IKEA added $10 to the overall donation. "This exhibit was about combining art, imagination and design around the theme of furniture," said Michael Lash, Director of Public Art for the City of Chicago. "The folks at IKEA have gone beyond expectations by creating a completely livable space." Everyone had a chance to take part in the action at the IKEA Love Suite – from watching a little TV with the Living Works of Art couples to a silent auction of select art works designed by children that participate in the Snow City Arts Foundation’s programs. About IKEA: Since its founding in 1943, IKEA has offered a wide range of home furnishings and accessories of good design and function, at prices so low that the majority of the people can afford them. IKEA is recognized as a socially responsible company, and continuously supports initiatives that benefit causes such as children and the environment. Currently, IKEA has 160 stores in 30 countries, including 15 stores in the United States and seven stores in Canada. To visit the IKEA web site, please go to http://www.ikea-usa.com. About Snow City Arts Foundation: Founded in Chicago in 1998, Snow City Arts Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide arts education and foster cultural enrichment for the benefit of hospitalized children. Everyday, Snow City Arts provides workshops in creative writing, music, and visual arts at the bedsides of hospitalized children who suffer from cancer, organ failure, or any other serious illness. Through its programs, children learn to write poems and short stories, how to play the guitar or piano, read sheet music, and some learn to make short films. About Suite Home Chicago: Chicagoans and visitors alike will be lounging around this summer when the City's big public art exhibition comes to town June 1st through October 13th. Like the phenomenally popular Cows on Parade, the heart of this exhibit will be the life-sized fiberglass forms--a sofa, chair & ottoman and TV-- each decorated by a local artist, sponsored by a business, organization or individual and on display on Chicago streets, parkways and plazas. For more information, please visit http://www.chicagourbanart.org.