Living in the suburbs of Chicago, I have a lot of commuting men and women in my life. Many of them have early departures and return home late in the evenings. Many have also reported that they were negatively affected -at the workplace and at home - by their commutes.
ROSE
Buckthorn, Cordwood Fallen Oak, Mortar, Concrete - Fall 2017
The installation was meant to celebrate the role the Forest Preserves plays in the local community. Specifications outlined by the Preserves’ Conservation and Experiential Programming Department call for the art pieces to be semi-permanent and constructed of natural materials that will naturally decay over time and become part of the landscape.
In order to design something that resonated with the community, we visited sites, engaged stakeholders, and observed how elementary school-age children might interact with the sculptures.
2017
2017
In 2017, my teammates and I presented concepts to the Board of Education and other corporations, like the Cook County Forest Preserve and CSX Railroad Corporation.
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We received funding and permission to break ground on a site located near Downtown Oak Park.
Wheel-Chair accessible and encouraged to be climbed on, “Rose” was crafted from invasive Buckthorn, Cordwood, and fallen Oak trees from the local Thatcher Woods Forest Preserve, mortar, and concrete.
