Location:
400-452 South Central Avenue
Chicago, IL 60644
Location Notes:
Lawn north of field house
Located Within:
Columbus (Christopher) Park
Installation Duration:
Spring 2014 - Indefinitely
Artist:
Margot McMahon
Medium:
Cast Bird Assemblage
Year Created:
2014
Features:
Outdoor, Temporary, Sculpture
Description
The Chicago Tree Project (CTP) is a collaborative initiative between the Chicago Park District and Chicago Sculpture International. The CTP is an annual citywide effort to transform sick and dying trees into vibrant public art rather than cutting them down. Using art as a vessel for public engagement, sculptors transform trees into fun and whimsical experiences for the greater Chicago community. Each year, twelve new trees are installed throughout the city. A complete map and more information can be found at www.chicagotreeproject.org
Artist's Statement: Like the canary in the coal mine, birds are a first alert to climate change and potential danger. These dozen turquoise song birds and one owl grace an elegant 35-foot elm decimated by the Dutch Elm disease. A visual dialogue between the owl that can attack song birds and song birds that can attack owls exists within the elm’s dead branches. Song birds and owls interact for territory, but are peaceful in this tree along Lake Shore Drive in Jackson Park. The songbirds are carved from an ash tree and cast in resin, then painted with automobile paint for durability and glimmer. The owl is carved in maple, then also cast in painted resin. The sculpture allows a fifth season for the tree to offer shelter and food for animals and bird life as well as enjoyment for the neighbors. Placing the sculptures in the tree brings attention to the 120,000 trees that are being removed from Chicago’s parks due to invasive species and warmer temperatures. Flock is a daily reminder to reduce CO2—ease your foot off the gas pedal please!