Proposal: Kevin Hong and Eigo Komai

Published: 3 Acres on the Lake: DuSable Park Proposal Project; author: Palmer, Laurie. University of Chicago Press; 2005

This is part of a series of speculative proposals for a historic 3 acre site in the heart of Chicago's lakefront. The project was part of an investigative research workshop into public access of landscapes by artist Laurie Palmer from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Within the context, the three acres site serves well as an island . Although connected to the west under Lake Shore Drive, the current patterns of pedestrian, vehicular and boat traffic offers the site only through views. By limiting access to the water, the site gains significance without having to create a thematic function. Although situated in a prominent location, the parcel of land does not allow for the process of discovery that is required when creating a memorial. It therefore frees the land for use as infrastructure.

An interview was conducted with the women of J.B.P. DuSable League of Chicago, Virginia Julian, Bessie J. Neal, Joan Pilot, Mary Tynes, and Linda Wheeler. Within the spirit of these women, the proposal is to use the site as a telecommunications and broadcast equipment station that will offer a platform for people who want to be heard. The memory of DuSable is extended beyond the confines of the site. In a more subversive strategy, broadcasts will override people’s walkmans, radios, car stereos, etc. within limited radius of the site so that a passing jogger, listening to music, will be forced to hear broadcasts such as the interview you are hearing on tape.