The year 2013 saw the completion of the 31st Street Harbor Project. It had an artistic spinoff. Four huge trees that were cut down to make way for the new 31st Street harbor, were then sculpted by local Chicago artists: Christine Perri, Michael Bihlmaier, Ben Schlitz and Milton Mizenburg. Some salvaged trees painted yellow, green, red and blue and installed at a new children’s park.
The Tree Art at 31st Street was the brain child of Adam Schwerner, who was then the Director of the Department of Natural Resources for the Chicago Park District. Currently he is Director of Horticulture and Resort Enhancement at Disneyland. This can be considered Phase I of Chicago Tree Project. Although, I have to clarify that the term “Chicago Tree Project” was officially coined in 2014, when Mayor Rahm Emanuel, the Chicago Park District and Chicago Sculpture International announced the Chicago Tree Project, which will commission local artists to turn dead or dying trees that are infested with Emerald Ash Borer or other bugs and diseases into living public art. For press release, click here..
“Picture Tree” [extreme left] by Christine Perri at 31st Street, with Chicago Cityscape in the backdrop.
Here are some images of Tree Art on 31st Street.
The art were completed in the year 2013.
However the images were taken on a beautiful autumn day in October 2014.
Picture Tree by Christine Perri
Tree with giant dragonflies, butterflies and ladybugs by Michael Bihlmaier
Carved tree by Ben Schlitz
Painted trees: blue, red, green and yellow
31st Street Harbor
The Tree Art were offshoot of the 31st Street Harbor Project. The year 2013, saw a 103 million rehabilitation project of the 31st street harbor. It includes the construction of a 2,700 ft. long breakwater; approximately 1000 new boat slips, green roof parking garage and other parking improvements; the creation of approximately 4 acres of new park space including a playground, promenade, open lawn areas, terraced steps; a harbor facility including a restaurant and community space, underpass to separate vehicular traffic from cyclists and pedestrians on the Lakefront Trail; and a new public fishing pier and boat launch.
This makeover is part of the 2007 Chicago Lakefront Harbor Plan. The plan maps out improvements to facilities, revetment repairs and the addition of boat slips for nearly every harbor along the lake. The harbors are among the biggest revenue generators for the Chicago Park District.
31st Street Harbor
Playground at 31st Street Harbor
Underpass at 31st Street
Tree Art along the Lakefront Trail at 31st Street
Art looks best when it is well nested in its environment!
Carved tree by Ben Schlitz
Tree with giant dragonflies, butterflies and ladybugs by Michael Bihlmaier
Picture Tree by Christine Perri
Year 2014 saw the Chicago Tree Project: to turn Dead and Dying Trees into Public Art.
On May 16, 2014, Mayor Emanuel, Chicago Park District [CPD] and Chicago Sculpture International [CSI] announced the Chicago Tree Project, which will commission local artists to turn dead or dying trees that are infested with Emerald Ash Borer or other bugs and diseases into living public art… For more, click here..
RELATED LINK:
Chicago Tree Project.. click here..
Chicago Art Blogger