Artists Edra Soto and Dan Sullivan Announce Premiere of "Scala" Documentary at Three Top Lounge, Chicago
Artists Edra Soto and Dan Sullivan are pleased to announce the world premiere of the documentary film Scala, taking place on Wednesday, April 15, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Three Top Lounge, 1357 N Elston Ave, Chicago, IL 60642, United States.
Produced by Builder/Growth and directed by Andrew Harris of DH Pixels, the film offers an intimate, behind-the-scenes look at the creation of Scala, a monumental public artwork permanently installed at the Computer Design and Research Learning Center at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC). Composed of over 17,000 pounds of custom-crafted poplar wood, the 160-foot sculpture is a feat of both artistic vision and complex engineering.
The documentary follows the project from its 2022 commission through the high-stakes installation process, where five hundred octagonal modules were suspended from a historic Walter Netsch–designed wall. The film highlights the collaboration between the artists and a specialized team including Navillus Woodworks, Methods & Materials, and structural engineer Bob Magruder (Goodfriend Magruder CMD).
"Through architectural interventions, my goal is to express a sentiment of belonging," says Edra Soto. "The documentary reveals how we translated vernacular Caribbean architectural motifs into a monumental institutional scale. It shows the labor, the hands, and the community required to make a vision of this size a reality."
"Scala is our largest project to date, and the film captures the tension of hanging 17,000 pounds of wood from a historic wall," adds Dan Sullivan. "It's a story about problem-solving and the deep trust required between artists, engineers, and fabricators."
Event Schedule – Wednesday, April 15 at Three Top Lounge:
7:00 PM: Doors Open / Cash Bar
7:30 PM: Documentary Screening
8:00 PM: Panel Discussion, Slides, and Q&A with Edra Soto, Dan Sullivan, and project collaborators
The event is free to the public, though RSVPs are encouraged via Eventbrite. The film features an original score composed and performed by Dan Sullivan / Nad Navillus.
About the Artists:
Edra Soto is a Puerto Rican-born artist and educator whose work explores diasporic identity and colonialism through architectural interventions. Her work is in the collections of the Whitney Museum and MCA Chicago. Dan Sullivan is a Chicago-based designer, fabricator, and musician who founded Navillus Woodworks. His work blends functional craftsmanship with an experimental, collaborative ethos.
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