Marc Chagall’s America Windows were a gift to the Art Institute of Chicago created by the artist for their specific context. Long a favorite of visitors, the searingly blue light creates a powerful background for the moments and events that occur across the piece. The windows’ popularity was only boosted by their use as the scene of “the kiss” in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, itself a Chicago cult piece!
Removed to protect the pieces during the construction of the Modern Wing, the pieces were extensively conserved, and a new context was required that could better protect the pieces from the effects of temperature and humidity.
The new location allowed implementation of integrated systems that carefully address every aspect of the conservation and presentation of the system.

Vinci Hamp Architects coordinated a team of structural, M&E and fire safety engineers along with Lux Populi to integrate what is, perhaps, the most refined light box around. The studies included photometric studies to ensure evenness of the illumination without flattening out the perceived depth of the piece (observe how most stain glass windows in museums appear flat), optimum color temperature and rendition to best reveal the tones and elements of the piece, elimination of edge effects, thermal moderation to prevent condensate or thermal cracking and numerous other aspects.

Marc Chagall. America Windows, 1977. A gift of Marc Chagall, City of Chicago, and the Auxiliary Board, commemorating the American bicentennial in memory of Mayor Richard J.Daley.