Chicago & Lake Michigan: a Sordid Affair
Illuminations: 2 billion gallons, 2010, light projection
Over the summer, I had the good fortune to participate in a design-activism workshop assembled by Rick Valicenti of Thirst and Moving Design. Call to Action gathered 16 artists, designers, educators, architects, and one engineer. The objectives were open-ended, and our time together was brief. Our challenge: To bring greater awareness to Chicago’s use/abuse of its most precious natural resource, Lake Michigan, via infrastructure, demand, and water quality issues.
While the workshop is officially over, our work continues in many forms. On Saturday, August 28th, we will be leading a parade from old Water Tower Plaza to the Oak Street Beach. Along the way, participants and passerby will be informed, engaged, and activated in water stewardship issues through a variety of creative representations and performances concerning the complex topic.
Please join us on Saturday August 28th for A Walk on Water (login to Facebook to view event).
You can also follow our work, learn more about Chicago water issues, and discover ways to get involved at our site ItsOurWater.org.
Our hope is that this first step might serve to create a ripple effect of awareness and involvement starting with our own work moving forward and spreading out to those we engage.
My personal contribution was in the form of a series of public interactions using projected messages (photo above). Titled Illuminations, these messages are site specific installations in the vicinity of the Chicago River directed toward subtly and unexpectedly drawing attention to the issue through juxtapositions with Chicago’s unique cityscape. Much more documentation on the completed performances and announcements on future performances will be forthcoming.
