New Violet Hour Mural by Rex Flodstrom View Full Caption

WICKER PARK — The exterior door of a speakeasy cocktail lounge known for its constantly changing facade has welcomed a new mural by surfer and artist Rex Flodstom, who says the untitled work is up for interpretation.

"With visual art I attempt to make meditations visual. I like to leave it up to the viewer to draw their own meanings and enjoy hearing their interpretations," Flodstrom said.

Nine faces, all similar but in shades of red, green and blue — outlined in bright yellow — debuted last Monday along the wall of The Violet Hour, 1520 N. Damen Ave. in Wicker Park.

Flodstrom, a surfer, is known locally for having been arrested in 2012 when he was riding the waves off Oak Street Beach, where surfing is prohibited.

Just south of Wicker Park's Milwaukee, Damen and North avenues intersection, the 35-foot-long by 11-foot-tall piece also features several moons and half moons.

Flodstrom said the moons "represent the passage of time."

"Because Damen is a busy thoroughfare I wanted to create something for the people who will roll past in motor vehicles and on bikes who may only get a quick glimpse; at the same time I wanted to add some details for the pedestrians who will stop and take a look," Flodstrom said.

The Violet Hour changes the murals along its front wall every few months and has showcased a wide range of artwork by rotating artists over the past few years.

Previous murals have included deer inspired by Bambi, a cartoonish "Big Drunk Guy," a twilight-hued nightclub scene, as well as geometric 3D patterns and abstract designs that have been the target of taggers.

Prior to Flodstrom's mural, a piece inspired by Chicago Ideas Week focused on "visual brainstorming."

The most serious of the murals include "Killing Season: Chicago 2010," a visual documentation of sites of Chicago murders by artist Krista Wortendyke and a sleeping homeless man by tattoo artist David Allen.

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