Peter and the Wolf

For Lurie Childrens Hospital and 15th Floor Cardiac Unit's Creative Partners: The Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) and Lookingglass Theater Company. Art direction, design, and project management for the development, fabrication, and installation of a series of interactive displays inspired by the CSO/Lookinglass 2010 co-production of Peter and the Wolf. Project management responsibilities included coordinating with contributing artists (including puppetmaker Kate Stransky, and photographers Todd Rosenberg and Sean Williams), working with the Creative Partners and Lurie Children’s Hospital to create final pieces that reflect both the theatrical and musical components of the theme, ensuring that the artwork is emotionally engaging and inspiring to children, that it provides direct support to the patients’ well-being and recovery, and that it meets the health and safety requirements of a hospital environment.

THE MEADOW

The story begins in a seating area dubbed the “Meadow,” where viewers are introduced to a little girl reading the original Peter and the Wolf to a little boy, who listens while playing with toy puppets modeled after the Peter and the Wolf animals, and accompanied by his faithful dog. Inspired by the tale, the boy takes the dog to a meadow, where together they act out Peter and the Wolf.

THE BOOK

Artwork throughout the Regenstein CCU expands on this original storyline, featuring collaged, digitally printed paintings that repeat motifs, objects, and environments from the new “production,” as well as visuals reflecting the artistic process of developing an original Peter and the Wolf for the 15th Floor installations.

THE FOREST

The story’s journey ultimately takes the viewer into the “Forest” area, where the little boy and girl, glimpsed through a gap in a forest clearing, are seen at Orchestra Hall with their puppets, watching the CSO musicians play Peter and the Wolf.

FAMILY HUB

The themed “Information Hub” in the Cardiac Unit’s family lounge area is where young patients can learn details about Prokofiev’s original Peter and the Wolf, contribute their own artwork for display, and where a visual “scavenger hunt” invites them to engage more actively with the15th Floor installation, while also encouraging beneficial walking exercise.