Creative Viewing Experience: Extensive Digital Screens Highlight Impressionist Artwork
Earlier this month, the Art Institute of Chicago (AIC) expanded the definition of an exhibition. Instead of being contained within the museum’s walls, *Gustave Caillebotte: Painting His World* manifested in an additional public venue, this time as an innovative art installation. For several weeks, Caillebotte’s Impressionist artworks adorned the ceilings of a Chicago shopping mall, reinterpreting his body of work for modern viewers.
The *Painting His World* installation was displayed across the Canopy, where 190 linear feet of digital screens hover above the atrium of 900 North Michigan Shops, which is six stories tall. These screens showcased a thoughtfully selected group of six paintings by Caillebotte, featuring works such as *Boating Party*, *Portrait of the Artist*, and *At the Café*, among others. Each painting was presented at diverse and at times surprising focal points, all aimed at underscoring the artist’s technical mastery concerning texture, form, and atmosphere. For example, *Paris Street; Rainy Day* focuses on a man and a woman sharing an umbrella while strolling down a Paris street, with a sky that is an almost reddish gray overhead. This scene is arguably one of Caillebotte’s most iconic, but for the Canopy, the painting was closely cropped to reveal the man’s expression, while another screen highlighted the crowd navigating through the rain behind them.
Highlighting these aspects of Caillebotte’s paintings on such a grand—and accessible—scale allowed his work to truly come alive. By glancing at the screens above them, visitors were offered a unique and personal insight into the world Caillebotte experienced: the Parisian cafés, the cobblestone streets, the elaborate bridges that span the Seine. It’s difficult not to feel enchanted by these vibrant surroundings, all animated through digital storytelling extending beyond the museum walls.
“Caillebotte was a forward-thinking artist who embraced a style that was ahead of his era,” stated Adrian Stein, lead artist for the Canopy. “He created a space where emotional authenticity and innovation could take precedence over conformity. This aligns perfectly with what we aim to accomplish at the Canopy, which is why we [were] excited to present Caillebotte’s work.”
However, *Painting His World* was not the first collaborative effort between the AIC and 900 Shops. The previous year, they joined forces for *Georgia O’Keeffe: My New Yorks*, transforming the artist’s breathtaking cityscapes of New York into a format suitable for the Canopy’s digital displays.
“We are honored to continue our collaboration with the Art Institute of Chicago, integrating world-class art into the daily lives of our visitors,” said Taylor Stucker, director of marketing for 900 North Michigan Shops. “Our in-house digital artists collaborated closely with the Art Institute team to present Caillebotte’s vision in a striking, innovative format that pays tribute to his artistry and legacy.”
*Gustave Caillebotte: Painting His World* was displayed at AIC and the Canopy until October 5, 2025. Meanwhile, the Canopy and 900 Shops are actively planning their upcoming digital installations. To stay informed and discover more, please visit the Canopy website.