Wrigley Building gives Michigan Avenue message to chew on

February 23, 2010 – River North’s Wrigley Building is one of eight world landmarks to display a message from Rotary International this week.

(Left) Wrigley Building on Michigan Avenue Tuesday evening.

“End Polio Now” represents the humanitarian service organization’s mission to rid the world of the crippling childhood disease. Polio is considered present at all times in Afghanistan, India, Nigeria, and Pakistan.

Based in Evanston, Illinois, Rotary International is a 105-year-old organization of service clubs located throughout the world. Other landmarks serving as giant projection screens this week include the Pyramid of Khafre in Giza, Egypt, the Obelisk of Buenos Aires, Santiago de Compostela Cathedral in Galicia, Spain, and Taipei Arena.

A typical projector, in a conference room or classroom, produces 1,000 to 2,000 Lumens, a measure of light output. What you’re looking at above is 42,000 Lumens, projected by generator-powered devices at left under a tent across Michigan Avenue from Wrigley Building. A building projection system was provided by AV Chicago, Inc. It takes 4.8 kilowatts to power the projectors, according to company Vice President Justin Frick.

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