| Went to the BAUHAUS event on Saturday in Chicago. Not only did I have the fortune of hearing phenomenal poems by Jamie Kazay, Larry Sawyer, and many others, but also phenomenal music. I was taken with the sax player's sounds the most. Like Coltrane. Which is to say reaching toward the divine. He stunned. I could and will dwell another time on the great work, particularly of Miss Kazay, but for now - another focus. That said, the centerpiece may have been the presentation on the destruction of the Michael Reese Hospital Complex in Chicago for the Olympics Chicago hopes for (NOTE: Chicago has not been awarded it yet, but the destruction and acquisition by city has begun for this function). This will permit parking and temporary retail areas. It also will result in the decimation (already has begun) of Walter Gropius' most sustained project (1944-1959) of his life. As the Founder of the Bauhaus movement, a movement that was well ahead of its time and offered amazing advancements in architecture and well beyond, Gropius' work has educational, historic, cultural, political, functional value. Yes functional value. It's also surrounded by the stunning landscaping of Hideo Sasaki. Oh yeah, and a church and a park and a public school - all of these are being demolished. The realization that the Rees complex was Gropius' work came only recently, but is it too late? NO. While the hospital arguably should not reopen, the buildings (over million feet of space being destroyed and reconfigured as blacktop and temp sales) retain value. While Chicago is celebrating 90 years of Gropius' contributions, it is also leveling some of his finest collaborative work. I wished there had been a petition. I'd imagine councils responding well to that. I could imagine a group of people gathering them at Wicker Park Fest, and at places like University of Chicago and the Art Institute. But then, it's also on me to do more than write about it. Unless something is done by October, these masterpieces are gone forever. Posted by Philip Jenks 0 comment |
