CHICAGO, IL.- 900 North Michigan Shops, a landmark destination on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile, is proud to announce a new collaboration between The Canopy, the Art Institute of Chicago and The Joffrey Ballet, bringing a work inspired by Willem de Kooning beyond the museum walls through an original ten-panel film inspired by the Art Institute's exhibition, Willem de Kooning Drawing.

On view at The Canopy through September 20, 2026, Excavation of Movement reimagines de Kooning's artistic style by translating the lines and brush strokes in his work to physical movement, choreography and digital media. Designed specifically for The Canopy's 190-feet of LED screens, the piece invites visitors to experience Abstract Expressionism in a new way.

The collaboration is on display in tandem with the Art Institute's Willem de Kooning Drawing, the first major exhibition dedicated to the artist's expansive drawing practice and the museum's first solo presentation of his work since 1969. Featuring more than 200 drawings, paintings, sculptures and prints, the exhibition explores how drawing served as the foundation of de Kooning's process and how he redefined the possibilities of modern and contemporary art.

"The Art Institute is always looking for creative ways to bring the museum to life outside of our walls," said Nora Gainer, Executive Director of Civic Relations and Partnerships at the Art Institute of Chicago. "Partnering with The Canopy and The Joffrey Ballet helps us to meet people where they already are - shopping, eating, and exploring everything Chicago has to offer."



Rather than recreating de Kooning's paintings, Excavation of Movement interprets the art visually, focusing on how the work asks the viewer to move around it and respond to it. Dancers from The Joffrey Ballet performed choreography inspired by de Kooning’s expressive line work and physicality in front of his artwork at the Art Institute, while a film crew captured the performance for display across The Canopy. Excavation of Movement showcases the intersection of art and movement in intimate detail as a digital masterpiece.

For Adrian Stein, resident artist of The Canopy and co-founder of the immersive digital art and design studio Haze Labs, exploration of movement is the key connection between de Kooning's work and digital media.

“Abstract Expressionism is a way to understand the medium of painting through the strokes and qualities of the paint,” Stein said. “Willem de Kooning incorporated his physical movements into his work, informing the way he painted, and how we view it. I felt the only right way to interpret this was through dance, the ultimate form of movement-art”

Visitors are encouraged to visit both Excavation of Movement at 900 North Michigan Shops and Willem de Kooning Drawing at the Art Institute of Chicago, on view through September 20, 2026.

THE CANOPY, 900 NORTH MICHIGAN SHOPS, and HAZE LABS

The Canopy at 900 North Michigan Shops is a permanent immersive art installation delivering a culturally elevated digital experience across the atrium ceiling at 900 North Michigan Avenue. Through engaging videos and interviews, The Canopy showcases the inspiration, passion, and artistry behind each work, transporting guests into a world where art and technology meet.

900 North Michigan Shops is a multi-sensory experience, merging luxury fashion houses and innovative boutiques with an aptitude for food and art. Completed in 1989, the 450,000-square-foot lifestyle retail space is anchored by Bloomingdale’s and includes more than 60 luxe retailers, including Gucci, Max Mara, and L'AGENCE. Fashion is complemented by Equinox Fitness Club and additional food, beverage, and entertainment offerings. Thriving along Chicago’s Magnificent Mile, 900 North Michigan Shops is one the country’s leading vertical emporiums and part of a 67-story mixed-use tower that includes offices, condominiums and the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago. 900 North Michigan Shops is owned by an affiliate of JMB Realty Corporation.

Haze Labs is a multidisciplinary art and design studio creating large-scale immersive installations and digital art platforms at the intersection of contemporary art, technology, and architecture. Led by artist Adrian Stein and Zac Hall, Haze Labs collaborates with internationally recognized and emerging artists, cultural institutions, and public venues to produce ambitious, artist-led experiences that transform how audiences engage with space and media.