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Chrysler-Plymouth Superstores Sponsor Paintings for Motorists

10 June 1998

Wildflower 'Paintings' Transform Metro Detroit Expressways Into Living Art For Second Summer; Chrysler-Plymouth Superstores Sponsor Monet-Like Flower Paintings for More Than 1.5 Million Motorists Daily

                    Photo Exhibit of Wildflower Paintings
            Featured at Detroit Institute of Arts June 11-August 2

    DETROIT, June 10 -- More than 1.5 million metro Detroit
motorists will have something to look forward to in their daily commutes this
summer -- acres of constantly changing wildflower paintings running right
alongside of the expressway.
    Chrysler-Plymouth Superstores are planting huge "Wildflower Paintings"
again this summer at three metro Detroit freeway gateways in a
first-of-its-kind project to transform urban roadsides into striking
landscapes of beautiful, constantly changing, bold living colors.
    The nine living "Wildflower Paintings" gardens collectively cover nearly
five acres and stretch nearly a mile of combined length.
    A photographic exhibit of last summer's "paintings" opens tomorrow June 11
at the Detroit Institute of Arts and runs through August 2.  The exhibit
features 28 vivid color photographs by Detroit photo artist S. Kay Young who
captured beautiful images of the growing flowers throughout last summer.
    The "Wildflower Paintings" are located at three gateways to metropolitan
Detroit: Western (Interstate 275, M-14 and I-96); Central (I-96 and I-75) and
Eastern (I-94 and I-696).  Based on Michigan Department of Transportation
counts, approximately 1.5 million cars will travel past the paintings daily.
    Wildflowers planted last summer are already in bloom and will continue to
develop throughout the summer and into the autumn, constantly changing colors
and shapes.  Annuals planted this spring will provide additional color.
    The "Wildflower Paintings" are inspired by the flower gardens of French
Impressionist Claude Monet.  Monet often painted his flower gardens in
beautifully vibrant colors that were visually inspiring.

                                Bullet Points
                          1998 Wildflower Paintings
                        Chrysler-Plymouth Superstores

    * Chrysler-Plymouth Superstores planting huge "Wildflower Paintings" again
      this summer at three metro Detroit gateways.
    * First-of-its-kind project transforms urban roadsides into beautiful,
      bold, constantly changing, colorful landscapes.
    * More than 1.5 million metro Detroit motorists pass daily.
    * Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) photo exhibit of last summer's living
      "paintings" opens June 11 through August 2.
    * Located at Western: I-275, M-14 and I-96; Central: I-75 and I-96; and
      Eastern: I-94 and I-696.
    * Distinctive roadside ID signs added this year.
    * The nine gardens (three in each gateway) collectively cover nearly five
      acres and stretch nearly a mile of combined length.
    * 39 independent Superstores have long history of local community
      involvement -- taking tradition to regional level.
    * Designed by nationally-renowned landscape architecture firm of Johnson,
      Johnson & Roy, of Ann Arbor.
    * More than 20 kinds of flowers and hundreds of thousands of seeds used.
    * The "Wildflower Paintings" constantly evolve and change throughout the
      summer and into the fall.
    * Something special and unexpected for motorists in southeastern Michigan
      from Chrysler-Plymouth Superstores.