Zak Group makes history for the Chicago Architecture Biennial

The second edition of the Chicago Architecture Biennial (CAB) is the largest architecture and design exhibition in North America, showcasing the transformative global impact of creativity and innovation in these fields. To celebrate the event Zak Group provided the art direction for this second edition of the biennial titled “Make New History”.

“In addition to designing the catalogue, we designed the visual identity, campaign, signage and wayfinding system” says Zak Group who collaborated with with artistic directors Sharon Johnston and Mark Lee.

“The design of the jacket draws upon the visual language of contrasting colors and repetition that we developed for the biennial’s identity. The color pallet references Faber Birren’s industrial color code for DuPont while the typographic treatment draws upon the transformation of language into images by Chicago émigrés designers. Make New History, published by Lars Müller Publishers, is organised around four historical themes, signified by coral pink spreads, and two collective projects, denoted by cobalt blue spreads with contrasting typography” notes the studio on the accompanied publication which brings together an eminent collection of writers including Sarah Herda, Robert Somol, Philip Ursprung, Sarah Whiting and the biennial’s contributing architects and artists.

This year’s Biennial features over 141 practitioners from more than 20 countries addressing the 2017 theme “Make New History.” Artistic Directors Sharon Johnston and Mark Lee have selected architects and artists whose eye-opening creations will invite the public to explore how the latest architecture can and will make new history in places around the world.

The main exhibition is free and open to the public from September 16, 2017 through January 7, 2018 and it extends to off-site locations and is amplified through six community anchor exhibitions in the neighborhoods and two special project sites – plus installations, performances, talks, films, and more hosted by over 100 local and global cultural partners.

The Chicago Architecture Biennial is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating an international forum on architecture and urbanism through the production of exhibitions and public programs.