This book depicts a series of paintings inspired by "Chicago: City on the Make," a prose poem by author Nelson Algren. Algren, considered a social critic and champion of the downtrodden has written numerous books including "A Walk on the Wild Side," and "The Man with the Golden Arm", both of which were eventually made into movies.



The paintings in this book were commissioned by the McCormick Place West Expansion Art Review, owned and operated by the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority of Chicago. I have written a preface to the installation that outlines my approach to the project. I have also included various illustrations of the architecture in the surrounding area, and my studio assistants who aided me in the project. A video of the installation process can be seen on my web site at www.danramirez.net.



The paintings are a permanent installation in the Central Concourse of the new addition.