Mobilize Chicago
Mobilize Chicago is a public art project led by installation artist Ian Lei (BSJ, Northwestern), in collaboration with the Chicago Department of Transportation. Dedicated to reimagining Chicago’s streets as spaces of safety, joy, and collective belonging, the project is anchored by two citywide interventions, including an inaugural public summit during the Chicago Architecture Biennial on October 5.The summit features hands-on activities and movement-centered explorations of safer street design, inviting residents, artists, and advocates to engage as co-creators in shaping more inclusive urban futures.
Inaugural Public Summit
Sunday, October 5, 2025
Fine Arts Building (410 S Michigan Ave) – Studios 732 & 733
Doors open at 10:30am | Program runs 11:00am–4:00pmMore than a traditional conference, the Mobilize Chicago Summit functions as a public intervention—blending art, civic imagination, and movement-based participation to explore people-first street design.Rooted in education, creation, and community, the half-day gathering includes:- Opening Meditation & Framing Conversation (11:00am-12:00pm)
A movement-based meditation guided by dance artist Hanna DiLorenzo, followed by a keynote-style session on imagination and public space from CDOT's Policy Director, Michael Kent.- Lunch & Helmet Decorating (12:00-1:15pm)
A relaxed space for conversation and creativity, where attendees will use decoupage and mixed materials to transform donated bike helmets into personal artifacts of care and visibility—used later in the day for a participatory installation.- Design Ideation Workshop (1:15-2:45pm)
Hands-on model-making activity that reimagines neighborhood infrastructure using everyday materials led by designer Danya Almoghrabi- Participatory Budgeting Simulation (1:15-2:45pm)
An interactive exercise where participants allocate $1.5 million across competing public needs in a fictional ward. Activity faciliated by the Great Cities Institute at UIC.- Collective Installation Activation (3:00-3:30pm)
A culminating session to co-create a suspended “bike grid” made of decorated helmets from earlier, facilitated by dance artist Hanna DiLorenzo- Closing & Raffle (3:30-4:00)
Reflections, giveaways, and celebration of the shared visions sparked throughout the day.
North Lawndale Back-to-School Bike Ride
Tune-up & Turnout
On August 17, Mobilize Chicago enacted an 8-mile intervention linking North Lawndale, Garfield Park, and Humboldt Park. Blending movement, sound, and collective presence, it reframed active mobility as both a social practice and a joyful act of reclaiming public space.