The Haggerty Museum of Art presents “SOS Color Code 2024,” an indoor and outdoor installation by Luftwerk, from August 31 to December 21.
Luftwerk is a Chicago-based artist team consisting of Petra Bachmaier and Sean Gallero. “SOS Color Code 2024” uses the universal languages of Morse code and color theory, transforming the international distress signal into a sign of solidarity and connection. The outdoor part of the project consists of three flags placed in front of the museum, while the indoor part combines a painted mural with a display of changing colored lights.
Dots and dashes in Morse code representing the letters S (three dots) O (three dashes) S (three dots) appear on the flags and in the mural, creating a playful visual excursion while exploring color as a language system and symbols as markers of emotion. Visually, the SOS pattern is an effective distress signal, an ambigram that can be read upside down or right side up.
“SOS Color Code 2024” is intended to coincide with the 2024 presidential election and International Democracy Day. International Democracy Day is celebrated around the world every year on September 15. It was launched in 2007 by a resolution of the United Nations General Assembly with the aim of encouraging governments to strengthen and consolidate democracy.
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This exhibition is supported by the Lacey Sadoff Foundation in collaboration with the Haggerty Museum of Art and Sculpture Milwaukee.
