Ingrid Bachmann
Title:
“The Promised Land”
mixed media collage
3 ACRES ON THE LAKE: THE PROMISED LAND
This speculative
proposal is based on exploring ideas of access, visibility, promise and
desire.
From the raised highway of north and southbound Lakeshore Drive all that
is visible of this project is the raised steel and glass bottomed observation
tower. The platform of the observation deck is circular in shape and the
structure creates an arch over DuSable Park. In its form, it references
the glittering Ferris Wheel of nearby Navy Pier, the popular midwestern
tourist mecca.
From the
waters of Lake Michigan and Navy Pier – visible to cruise ships and
pleasure boats– a brilliant band of gold and the glass bottomed observation
deck are visible. The effect of shimmering gold is produced by the thousands
of sunflowers to be planted on the site and by the paving in gold of the
existing road in the park (a reference to the rather excessive gold leafed
atrium of the corporate building designed by architect Philip Johnson,
in the heart of the financial district of the Chicago).
The observation
deck is a simple glass bottomed steel structure. Stairways were designed
as the sole means of access to the observation deck out of concern for
the physical health of Chicago residents, to inspire them to get more
physical exercise.
The only
access to this site in this proposal is via Calumet Park in South Chicago,
an area of Chicago traditionally ill served by the Chicago Parks District.
Docking privileges are available only to the one ferry boat that departs
hourly from the park.
The aims
of this proposal are multiple: to draw attention to a valuable piece of
lakefront property; to highlight access and lack of access to lakefront
properties; to offer North Chicago residents an opportunity to visit the
Southern part of their city; to provide residents of South Chicago a privileged
access to lakefront park property. And finally, to create in the pubic,
through various sight and observation lines, a perpetually shifting site
of desire, possibility and dreams.
INGRID BACHMANN 2001
bachmann@videotron.ca