A PI in the Sky?

Need for Bike Racks + Artists = Opportunity?

This piece in the Chicago Sun Times tells of Chicago's push to solve bike storage problems throughout the city.

"The $1.15 billion deal that privatized Chicago parking meters — and the subsequent switch to pay-and-display boxes — cost bicycle riders thousands of parking spaces. They used to hitch their wheels to meters. Now, they can’t.

The shortage of spaces is about to become a boon for local artists.

The City Council’s Transportation Committee on Monday authorized an innovative public art program that could someday rival the wildly-popular Cows on Parade.

Artists will be asked to design decorative bike racks that double as pieces of public art wherever chambers of commerce, neighborhood groups or a so-called “special services area” bankrolled by local businesses comes up with the money to pay for them."

The article goes on to state that 43rd Ward Alderman, Vi Daley, has been at the front of the push.

"In Chicago, Ald. Vi Daley (43rd) came up with the idea for decorative bike racks while working with the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce to install racks on Clark Street, between Armitage and Diversey.

“We wanted to do, not just the regular bike racks. We wanted to do something unique and something different,” Daley said.

“But, all of the sudden we ran into this obstacle along the way because the city would rather have their standard bike racks. They were concerned about having something bigger, whether it’s shaped like a fish [or something else]. How does it fit on the street? Is it too big? Is it too small? Is it too close to the curb?”

The new public art program will force the city to be more flexible. And bike riding will benefit.

“People come to the ward to see the sculptures. They might do the same thing with bike racks, if they’re that unique,” she said."

 This is another fine example of Vi's championing the arts in our urban community.  As a regular bike commuter and patron of the arts, I couldn't be more pleased with this effort.  The regular black metal bike racks certainly have their place, and function just fine, but their is something really great about seizing the opportunity to marry artist creativity and the public need into something really useful and unique.  I can't wait to see some of the designs.

While on the topic of Biking, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention Village Cycle Center, at 1337 N Wells Street.  I couldn't be happier with the service I've received from them over the years.  Village Cycle Center is full of helpful sales employees, all of whom come across as real bike enthusiasts and are willing to take the time to really help you find the right bike, repair your current model or find just the right accessories.

Lakefront Sculpture Exhibit

A quick heads up here on the Lakefront Sculpture Exhibit.  I can't tell the story any better than Alderman herself, so the following is from the Alderman Vi Daley's website. 

Entering its ninth year, the Lakefront Sculpture Exhibit (LSE) was created by Alderman Vi Daley to bring large-scale art to the neighborhoods in the ward.  The LSE this year has grown and will install 20 new sculptures around the 43^rd and 44^th wards.  The support of local businesses, individuals, groups and organizations makes it possible to present these ever changing sculptures on our streets.

For the 2010 exhibit, a jury selected twenty local artists’ sculptures to be sited in areas ranging from contemplative park settings to manufacturing districts, and from quiet residential streets to bustling commercial avenues. The large and mid-size sculptures take on new dimension when viewed in these urban landscapes throughout the area. The eye-catching sculptures will remain on display for 12 months.  In May of 2010 the current sculptures will be taken down and the new exhibit will be installed.

Chosen artists for 2010 include: Terry Karpowicz, Nicole Beck, Eric Steele, Shencheng Xu, John Adduci, Andrew Arvanetes and Jennifer Dickson. Todd Willing’s sculpture “Mesa” is representative of the American Southwest; while John Bannon’s work “Composition in Aluminum” is a decidedly more contemporary sculpture.  Jason Verbeek creates a “Living Sculpture” bringing sedum and chicks and hens to a steel sculpture.

You will see that it takes “Two to Tango” and what it really means to be “In Deep Rough.” And you won’t want to miss Andrew Arvanetes futuristic “Twist and Shout” or Ron Gard’s “Ripe Fig Split.”

Just to give you an Idea of what we are talking about, below I've linked to a couple of sculptures from the 2009 series, which will be taken down shortly, and replaced with new works.  I only hope the new works are as impressive and beautiful as these sculptures, which have enhanced our community for the past year.  You can see these sculptures, the rest of the 2009 sculptures, as well as the previous years sculptures, dating back to 2002 here at the Chicago Lakefront Sculpture Exhibit website.

“Going Green” • 12’ x 5’ x 6’ • Aluminum

Artist: Michael Young

Sponsor: Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce

Location: Clark Street - North of Drummond

 

 

 

 

“Chamber Muse Synesthesia” • 9’ x 4’ x 3’ • Epoxy Clad Steel

Artist: Richard Kiebdaj

Sponsor: Central Lake View Merchants Association

Location: Clark and Roscoe

 

 

 

“Bridge” • 4’ x 7.25’ x 3.75’ • Fiberglass with Iron Armature

Artist: Jennifer Dickson

Sponsor: Old Town Triangle Association

Location: Clark and Lincoln