David Lee Csicsko’s modern and playful “French Connections” collection will be on display in the lobby of Sofitel Chicago Water Tower from August 15, 2016 through October 12, 2016. This exhibit, connecting a local Chicago artist with a French hotel, will offer a rotating selection of his twenty four portraits of iconic French personalities. Featured portraits include Coco Chanel, Serge Gainsbourg, and Simone de Beauvoir, who left their mark on the twentieth century. Each of these limited edition prints will be hand selected by Csicsko specifically for Sofitel Chicago Water Tower. Admission is free of cost.
Each week a featured portrait will inspire matching lush floral arrangements that will transform the lobby. Fashioned by Owner and Floral Designer Colin Collette of Surroundings by Colin, the calendar of featured portraits is as follows:
August 15 - 24: Coco Chanel
August 25 - 31: Serge Gainsbourg
September 1 - 7: Nina Simone
September 8 - 14: Marcel Proust
September 15 - 21: Simone de Beauvoir
September 22 - 28: Maurice Chevalier
September 29 - October 5: Édith Piaf
October 6 - 12: Coco Chanel
Inspired by Csicsko’s colorful artwork, Café des Architectes and Le Bar will feature a special dessert and cocktail during the exhibit. Crafted by Executive Pastry Chef Anna Young, a Mick Klug Farm Cherry Clafoutis (a classic French dessert combining fresh cherries in rich, dense custard) will be available for $10.00. Inspired by Csicsko’s Coco Chanel portrait, the special cocktail will be the Coco Chanel Martini with Ciroc Coconut Vodka, St Germain Liqueur, and coconut shavings for $14.00.
David Lee Csicsko is an internationally recognized and celebrated designer and artist currently living and working in Chicago, Illinois. During his 30 years career, David has engaged in a wide variety of projects at nearly every scale; from small privately commissioned prints to his more recent explorations in working with stained glass and mosaics at large scales. These monumental projects have included the beautiful transformation of the Belmont CTA el stop with mosaic tiles and holiday décor for the White House.