Preserving Alex Katz's "Harlem Station, 1984" Mural

Nestled within the bustling Harlem Blue Line CTA station on the O'Hare Branch, the iconic mural Harlem Station, 1984 by the acclaimed artist Alex Katz takes center stage. As a distinguished part of the City of Chicago Public Art Collection, this oil on aluminum mural serves as a testament to Katz's artistic brilliance, encapsulating a vibrant array of larger-than-life portraits that skillfully capture the diversity and dignity of the everyday commuter traversing the Harlem station.

Katz, celebrated for his prowess in modern life and portraiture, placed this mural on the upper platform, allowing its visibility from both inside the station and from the highway below. This iconic piece stands as a cornerstone within the Chicago Transit Authority's (CTA) esteemed public art collection, reflecting Katz's innovative vision.

*Harlem Station, 1984* during conservation treatment

Today, Alex Katz is still a working artist, represented by GRAY, a globally recognized team of art professionals devoted to fostering the development of historically important artist careers and to building outstanding art collections. Valerie Carberry, Partner, GRAY Chicago | New York, shares the significance of Katz's career. "In February, 2023, Alex Katz's tour de force retrospective at the Guggenheim Museum in New York closed to rave reviews and a new critical appreciation emerged for his astonishing accomplishments over his seven decade career as a painter. The newly and expertly restored mural Harlem Station, 1984, expresses what is best loved and celebrated about Alex Katz's paintings. With its sequence of figures and faces that can appear at once familiar and anonymous, it is ultimately a work about city life. Sophisticated yet approachable, Katz's mural expresses the fleeting time and energy of commuters on Chicago's CTA. It is a true pleasure to see it restored to its original vibrancy and vigor-- like the artist himself, who at 96, is painting new work and continues to inspire us all."

Public artwork is on display at 90 of the CTA's stations, exemplifying their commitment to expanding public art to bus and rail facilities throughout the city. In partnership with Nathan Mason, Curator of Collections and Public Art, Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events for the City of Chicago, the comprehensive conservation project for "Harlem Station, 1984", led by The Center's painting conservation department, demonstrates the CTA's dedication to maintaining its collection.

The Center's painting conservators focused on meticulously treating and preserving this significant mural. The painstaking efforts encompassed a detailed cleaning process to eliminate accumulated dirt, spray paint and incised vandalism, and repaint that no longer matched, ensuring that the mural could be viewed again as Katz intended.

In the treatment process, conservators delicately surface-cleaned the mural using an aqueous solution to rid it of accumulated grime and deposits. They discovered an aged synthetic varnish layer embedded with grime, which was gently removed using organic solvents. Accretions, including overpaint, were delicately addressed based on their solubility, and a protective varnish was meticulously applied to saturate the paint and provide a layer of protection. Impainting was carried out in areas of paint loss.

*Harlem Station, 1984*; during treatment

Amber Schabdach, Senior Paintings Conservator at The Conservation Center, highlighted the complexities of conserving outdoor artwork exposed to elements such as etched graffiti, bird droppings, and aged varnish: "Conserving such artwork, exposed to intense sunlight and extreme temperatures, is a challenging task. Our treatment plan utilizes using the best materials capable of withstanding these conditions, ensuring a reversible intervention in the future when our materials age differently from the original ones."

Michael Young, Senior Paintings Conservator, shared the significance of preserving Katz's masterpiece. "Alex Katz's 'Harlem Station, 1984' is a unique gem in the realm of public art. Our project is pivotal in ensuring this iconic piece remains a testament to Katz's talent and continues to inspire future generations."

Rebecca Vodehnal, Associate Paintings Conservator, underscored the importance of conserving public art in a bustling space like the Harlem station. "How do we fix public art without preventing the public from using the space? It requires extensive planning and coordination, especially in a space as busy as the Harlem station. The Conservation Center, the City of Chicago, and the CTA worked together to minimize distractions to normal operations at the station, allowing us to focus on conserving the artwork."

Heather Becker, CEO of The Conservation Center, emphasized the organization's dedication to public preservation and adapting methods to the changing art world, reinforcing their commitment to art conservation in the City of Chicago. "We take immense pride in preserving cultural heritage and public art in Chicago for the communities it reflects. Preserving 'Harlem Station' stands as a testament to our commitment to the City of Chicago."

This project signifies a collective commitment to safeguarding Chicago's rich artistic heritage and ensuring the enduring significance of Alex Katz's "Harlem Station, 1984" for generations of Chicagoans for years to come.

Carissa Tonner