Here are my photos, with quotes and links that should take you to fabulous photos on Silvia López Chavez’s website including her creative ways with windows in two buildings (290 and 314 Main St.. Cambridge). Both temporary public art installations, commissioned by MIT, developed as part of a community project called MIT Art Activation, Kendall Sq. Cambridge.

PHOTOS AND QUOTES FOR 314 MAIN STREET:

“Based on Cambridge’s demographics and data research from the Census and the American Community Survey, the imagery borrows elements from cultural patterns and symbols that represent the makeup of Cambridge’s population. Textiles, tiles, and objects of various world regions and countries of origin of the people living and working in Cambridge inspired the artwork. ” ( quote from artist’s website gallery https://www.silvialopezchavez.com/#/mit-art-activation-kendall-sq-cambridge/ )

“The mural utilizes acrylic paint, markers, stencils, hanging paper shapes, and dichroic film on glass. It incorporates 16 words using the prefix /rē/, which hope to create connections to meanings relating to the return and emergence of people back into society after a tragic year and serve as a moment to reflect, recognize our similarities, and see themselves as a vital part of this environment.” (quote from artist’s website gallery https://www.silvialopezchavez.com/#/mit-art-activation-kendall-sq-cambridge/ )

PHOTOS AND QUOTES FOR 290 MAIN STREET:

A Community Reflects: Community Painting Day! “For this program series, artist Silvia Lopez Chavez is teaming up with MIT to create temporary public art along Main Street in Kendall Square. With the help of local neighbors and friends, Silvia will create street-level art that incorporates stories, reflections, hardships and hopes of the past year in color, portraits, patterns, and words sourced from community contributions.” (quote from event description October 2021)

Scenes and portraits outlined for Community Painting Day in October were based on photos from Photobooth opportunities at MIT Open Space, 292 Main Street, in September 2021.

“….a program series at MIT Open Space to engage people and create art at 290 Main St. that incorporates stories, reflections, hardships and hopes of the past year through color, portraits, patterns, and words sourced from community contributions.”( quote from artist’s website gallery https://www.silvialopezchavez.com/#/mit-art-activation-kendall-sq-cambridge/ )

Key Resources: https://www.silvialopezchavez.com/ , https://www.openspace.mit.edu/