Place Game - Justin

Justin Botz

       

Evaluate the place:

Attractive:2

Feels Safe 2

Clean/well maintained3

Feels reflective and restorative 3

Comfort and Image Average Rating 2.5

ACCESS AND LINKAGE

Identifiable from a distance2

“Walkable” 1

Accessible by transit 2

Clear information/signage 3

Access and Linkage average rating:2

USES AND ACTIVITIES

Comfortable places to sit 2

Frequent community events/activities 3

Area is busy 2

Variety of things to do 3

Uses and Activities average rating   2.5

SOCIABILITY

People in groups 3

Evidence of volunteerism 2

Sense of pride and ownership 2

Children and Seniors are present 3

Sociability average rating 10

IDENTIFY OPPORTUNITIES

1.     What do you like best about this place? I love the location. It is right on wabash in the south loop. There is a bit of foot traffic that goes by. The space is very open so anyone walking by can easily see the work being done in the paper makers garden. The space is pretty large and could host events with a good number of people. I feel like its a space with a lot of potential and I know there are a number of people in the interdisciplinary arts department interested in making use of the space.

2.     List three things that you would do to improve this place that could be done right away and that wouldn’t cost a lot:  1. put up some signage to let people know what the space is. 2. put in a few more trash/recycling receptacles.  3. Plan a community event that would fill the space and bring the community together.

3.     What three changes would you make in the long term that would have the biggest impact?

1. I think creating more consistent programming for the space could have a tremendously positive impact on the space and the local community.

2.  I think taking more advantage of the space in the paper makers garden would have long term value. Right now there are only a few flower beds and a lot of open space. Should we fill the space with more flower beds or add more benches for sitting? I’m not sure but making a decision either way would allow for some long term impact.

3. Perhaps expand the idea of the paper makers garden to a community garden. There could be a section for paper and a section for vegetables. This doesn’t have to be the case but I thought perhaps a community garden might provide more opportunity for community involvement then having it strictly for paper making.

4.     Ask someone who is in the “place what they like about it and what they would do to improve it Their Answer:  Amanda: It’s an interesting space but I’m not sure what purpose it is supposed to have and what relationship it’s supposed to have to the public. I would make that clearer.

5.     What local partnerships or local talent can you identify that could help implement some of your proposed improvements? Please be as specific as possible.

1. Center for Book and Paper arts

2. Columbia College.

3. South loop alliance

4. Overflow coffee shop (Coffee shop that is interested in activism)

5. Daystar Center (south loop community center)

6. Alex Borgen

7. Stephen De Santis

The Place Game - Jillian's Responses

Place Game Scores:

Comfort and Image: 2

Access and Linkages: 2

Users and Activities: 3

Sociability: 1.75

1. What do you like best about this place?

I like the location of this place.  Not too crowded by tall buildings, it is a very sunny and open space considering its location is smack in the middle of an urban environment. Situated in the middle of campus and the Wabash Arts Corridor, the garden sees a lot of foot traffic.  Working in the garden during the summer, passer-bys always stop to ask questions about the space and about hand papermaking.  People are surprised to learn that paper can be made from plants and many want to know how they can get involved.  Unfortunately, being that it is a campus space, the garden remains inaccessible to non-Columbians. On the flip side, our neighbors and visitors are seem happy with the fact that we are doing something to liven the empty lot.  It is at least (for now) enjoyable to look at…and will be much more so come this summer when Phase 2 construction begins.

2. List three things that you would do to improve this place that could be done right away and that wouldn’t cost a lot:

- Find extra furniture around school (preferably park benches or picnic tables) and place in the lot to fill the space

- tear down fence (though the school would absolutely not approve this) or plant ivy to run up the back fences

- place student sculpture artwork in the lot

3. What three changes would you make in the long term that would have the biggest impact?

- advance the landscaping; expanding/growing a bigger garden; planting trees

- making the space accessible to everyone at Columbia and perhaps the general public

- adding classes to curriculum that take place in the garden

4. Ask someone who is in the “place” what they like about it and what they would do to improve it? Their answer:

“It’s amazing that it’s student founded and it’s really cool if it’s really being used for material, but yeah it’s not very pretty but I know that’s because of winter.”

5. What local partnerships or local talent can you identify that could help implement some of your proposed improvements?

Through/at Columbia: Campus Facilities, Campus Recycling, Student Initiatives, Student Organizations, Student Artists at-large, science classes

Local partnerships: Wabash Arts Corridor, Hilton Hotel, Chicago CTA, Caribou coffee, Buddy Guys (could we host an evening of outdoor music?), City of Chicago (parks and rec.?), local gardening centers, South Loop community organizations

Get to know ya space - Megan

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GET TO KNOW YA SPACE

Comfort & Image

3  Attractive

2  Feels Safe

2  Clean/well maintained

3  Feels reflective and restorative

Average 2.5

Access & Linkages

2  Identifiable from a distance

1  Walkable

1  Accessible by transit

3  Clear information/signage

Average  1.75

Uses & Activities

2  Comfortable places to sit

2  Frequent community events/activities

1  Area is busy

3  Variety of things to do

Average 2

Sociability

3  People in groups

2  Evidence of volunteerism

2  Sense of pride and ownership

3  Children and seniors are present

Average 2.5

1.  What do you like best about this place?

I like how it became the Paper maker’s garden.  As it was becoming that, I heard about it a lot.  The name made me think of paper turning into plants and plants turning into paper.  Then, I watched as it was becoming a garden.  I enjoyed seeing the work progress.

2.  List three things that you would do to improve this place that could be done right away and that wouldn’t cost a lot:

- add more natural wood (it gives a grounding contrast to the metal fence) and if larger branches could be found, they could also serve as sitting spots

- paint some of the rocks.  Literally painting the rocks (even subtle colors) could turn them into a beautiful and intriguing landscape.  I have also seen paper pulp “painted” onto the rocks.  That was lovely.

- have music in the space some days, preferably live

3.  What three changes would you make in the long term that would have the biggest impact?

-  Build more involvement in the location.  This is two fold, you have to invest in the space to make people want to be there and then reach out to student groups to hold events there.  Having more people in the space informs how the space can continue to support community.

- keep on the public relations.  Small informational cards should be distributed around campus about it’s current state and function.  Knowing what the thing is makes it friendly and interesting.

- design the space.  The fence walls need to be beautified in some way, preferably with living plant stuffs, but even with natural fibers or the like.  There should be areas of the space identified for specific purpose – sitting, performing or exercise.

 

4.  As someone who is in the “place” what they like about it and what they would do to improve it. 

“I didn’t even know it was there.  I never thought about it. . . make it more obvious?”

5.  What local partnerships or local talent can you identify that could help implement some of your proposed improvements?  Please be as specific as possible.

Student body – there is a lot of turn over, but if there was more support from student organizations or another department, that would help a lot!  Unfortunately, I can imagine the more people who get involved, equals that many more opinions on what to do with the space.

Chicago Public Performance (Permit?) – I know that musicians need to have an approved permit of sorts to perform in the subways and such.  Could the school work to have this space as a possible venue?  It could be for students only, but if it was accessible enough, it could be opened up as a money making opportunity for small scale musicians.

Community  -  if there was going to be painting or pulping of the rocks, I could see putting a call out for recycled paint or paper.  There could be drop off times at the site and information for people passing.  We could approach local businesses and arrange for pick up days from their stores.  We could place a thank you on their window or even take out an add in the paper thanking all of the local businesses that supported the site. 

MORE:  The number one thing that I have been noticing about this site is that different groups want very different things for the area depending on their interests.  I haven’t seen a land grab type of thing happening (yet), but as we look to community investment I think it is important to have some idea of the future of the site.  I know that it will be re-designed over the summer.  I wonder what that means. 

On the positive side, I have seen a willingness of students to pitch in no matter what the site becomes.  They feel very happy that any piece of property on our campus is being improved.  There is so much drab in the place of our campus and every little bit of energetic life is felt. 

Transparency, Collaboration & The Papermakers Garden - Heather

Heather Buechler

Firstly, I will address the Place Game, which I will then follow by a list of comments/questions/concerns in no particular order in order to externalize the thoughts that run through my head in regards to garden.

1. Comfort & Image: 2.5

2. Access & Linkage: 1.75

3. Uses & Activities: 2.5

4. Sociability: 2.75

1. What do you like best about this place?

It's potential.

2. List three things that you would do right away to improve this place that could be done right away and wouldn't cost a lot?

-Beautification: planting vines, trellicing flowers, something to brighten up the fence and help the space stand out. At this juncture, the space itself isn't really visible amidst cement streets, cement sidewalks, parking lots, and a gravel bike garage next door. 

Beyond being an eyesore, the fence poses another area of concern in regards to the space. The locked gate and chainlink fence suggest a space that is controlled. Who is controlling it? Who pulls the shots? It's relatively dormant, not really used by the student body (regardless of season) and various suggestions are dismissed because of needing to clear the proper people...how to we find the proper channels to activate the space? 

-Somewhere to sit, even if behind the locked gate. Just a bench, or an old table and chairs, somewhere to meet for coffee. In a community garden where I used to work, there was a wooden reclaimed bench with an awning that had plants growing all up it. It was the best since I worked in a basement shop and didn't see the sun any other time of day, especially in early spring and late fall. The seating made it a destination, even if I wasn't the one gardening in it.

-Better signage. The present sign doesn't really feel like it does much for the space. It outlines the purpose of the space, but really doesn't allow me to connect with the space. Maybe have an annual listing of the plants being planted and what type of material they contribute to the space and where they are located? A way to know what is going on in those plots more that just a mission statement. It's all well and good to have a mission, but the mission needs to feel like it is an active one. If it's winter and things are just hangin' out like they do in the Midwest, tell us. Maybe...an idea.

3. What three changes would you make in the long term that would have the biggest impact?

-I think all of the previous suggestions for sure. Beautification, which requires constant participation from a community, which is, in turn activating the space. A compost system for sure, which really, you can teach people to compost properly, and learn a lot about so much that could fuel some people's artmaking (look at the suggestions you provided, it's a scientific process, ripe with its own potential). 

-Collaborating more with the student body. 

-If there is going to be that large open space without beds, putting in a supply shed for maintaining the lot, allowing the site to be called on as an inspiration for installations, creating a calendar of events surrounding the space that ideally would be events to contibute to a larger discourse about urban sustainability efforts, how these efforts are integrated into contemporary art practice, etc. etc.

-In regards to it being connected to the papermaking process, the extra space could be utilized for an outdoor papermaking workshop, using the mould method for drying the sheets. While they were drying it'd be a temporary installation that also was informative. 

4. Ask someone who is in the "place" what they like about it and what they would do to improve it.

-I don't really know what's going on there. Maybe clean it up a bit? 

5. What local partnerships or local talent can you identify that could help implement some of your proposed improvements? Please be as specific as possible. 

-Local urban gardening organizations. People who have navigated permits and regulations for similar projects (sure, it's for paper, but it's still a reap and sow situation!). Peterson Garden Project on the -North Side is incredible. They've continue to reclaim vacant lots and turn them into community gardens and offer a variety of classes on urban gardening from the urban chicken, to apiaries, to the traditional square-foot method. Their system involved education and collaboration and continues to grow. I've attached a link to their website below. 

-Local papermakers.

-Students.

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What follows here is an expository writing about the space after visiting it. It lists various concerns and questions and some suggestions that may be redundant:

How do we look at the space?

How do we identify with it?

How does the school identify it within the institution?

Answering these questions could better help us assess both how to activate the space without stepping on any toes (a sentiment that seems counter to any ‘guerilla’ gardening activity).  An obvious obstacle for a student wishing to engage with or build on the foundation of the HPGarden seems to come from navigating a bureaucratic process that isn’t transparent to us.

How is the success of the garden affected by its dependency on other organizations?

I’m not familiar with where the garden currently stands in the program; I hear murmurs of the potential for more funding that funding equals success. There’s the bubble bubble of excitement with the prospect of launching a second phase. All well and good but where do we find out more?

How do we communicate to the student body about the current standing of the garden? How can there be more transparency for interested parties?

-E-Newsletters

-Blog

-Meetings

There seems to be potential in partnering up with other urban agrarian movements within the city, other groups and organizations.

Why are we doing this garden? Why put edibles in it? You can’t feed the school on that plot obviously.

What about all that space? Why aren’t we using the space?

What are other plants that could be planted? What sort of agricultural models could we look to? Are we using the best plants for this situation? Why not plant rye or corn one year? That would yield something more encouraging for papermaking rather than marigolds-perhaps the floral plants would be better suited to pots on the peripherally to make the over-all presence of the space less grey. 

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Links

City of Chicago Urban Agriculture FAQ

Peterson Garden Project

Greennet Chicago

Rebuilding Exchange 

Guerilla Gardening

Place game - Cristina

       

 

The potential of the open space. Also the 
fact that it promotes a sustainable art 
practice.

•  add places to sit, the seats could be made of discarded 
tree logs so they can also serve as a table 
surface
• get rid of the locked door 
• have regular clean up days, so there is not so much trash and debris left lying on the ground in the garden  

 

•  turn it into a zen rock garden
• if the chain link fence can't be changed then I would suggest adding fabric or some type 
of plant covering like moss or ivy,  I would suggest covering three sides so as to 
better emphasize the entrance
• create a better entrance, get rid of key code locked door so the space becomes more open and welcoming to those who want a space to relax or escape 
into

"In theory it is a good idea but as it is forgettable and in the winter looks depressing.
Get rid of the fencing."

I think the students of Columbia College could be better utilized to maintain the space. I would propose a class for each semester that the students would maintain the rock garden. It could be an 8-10 person class and each month a pair of the students would be responsible for the garden design and upkeep.

Nationalities and Wages in a Congested District of Chicago

Hull-House maps and papers, a presentation of nationalities and wages in a congested district of Chicago, together with comments and essays on problems growing out of the social conditions is the title of a book of research conducted by Florence Kelly and her colleagues in 1893, published in 1895. I found a selection of the maps at the Jane Addams Hull House Museum and thought I would share some of my snapshots with you.

The boundaries of the district where Kelly gathered data extended from Polk to 12th & Pacific to State. This overlooks the location of the Papermaker's Garden, 8th and Wabash, by just a block. Though our spot is not represented precisely in the district surveyed, there is still useful information about nearby areas around the college. If you look closely at the images you can see Dearborn Station to the north. 12th Street is present day Roosevelt Ave.

I do not know how the districts were arranged at that time and the property numbers are confounding. Luckily, the college archivist at Columbia has been quite helpful to point me to some resources about Chicago history. I will write more about that in a later post.

To see the maps in more detail, go to http://homicide.northwestern.edu/pubs/hullhouse/Maps/ Check out Wage Map #4 and Nationality Map #4 to see maps of the area that overlaps with our neighborhood.

In the 1890s, the area where our campus stands was home to tenements, brothels, and sweatshops. This area was considered to be a slum, a ghetto for the working poor. To get a quick overview of that history and the social justice work that was happening at the time, visit Northwestern's Florence Kelley archives, which I also link to above.

Some Thoughts on the Blog Posts and my Responses to the Place Game - Kathi

The blog posts and links brought a wide range of thoughts and emotions to my mind. I am kind of a list person, so that may be the best way for me to put down my thoughts:

Psychogeography and Drift:
The "Drift" game invented by post WWII artists in France has some similarities to the current fad of "Geo-Caching." The difference is that Drift players wandered through the city with the aid of specially-designed maps to find existing geographical places and cultural artifacts that were considered by of no value after the War. The current game of Geo-Caching also uses maps and coordinates, but also social media to enable players around the world to interact with each other in urban, suburban, and rural spaces in staggered time. In other words, both parties are not present in the space at the same time, but interact by way of an artifact hidden in a spot that is left by one for others to find later. The "treasure" discovered in Drifting are people and places in the actual city of Paris. In Geo-Caching, the "treasure" is not a place, but a token that leads people to a place.
The Papermaker's Garden might be an interesting site for a Geo-Caching experiment, one that would engage the local community members in a quiet and individual way.

Per the current Papermaker's Garden:
I hate the chain link fence, ugh. Very unfriendly, un-garden like.

Composting and Using Leftovers
There are not really any "leftovers" in the grad spaces in 1104 until AFTER commencement. Everything that is down there now seems to be in use by grads, so that's probably not a good spot to forage for "stuff." I don't' know anything about 619's "work room."

I like the idea of re-using the water bottles. There are a number of water fountains on campus now that include dispensers to fill bottles to encourage less use of the disposable plastic ones, and giving the rest of these already-existing bottles away will encourage usage of those fountains. The Papermaker's Garden currently has no access to water on site, so that is something to discuss: how will that affect the garden and space use going forward?

I find it odd that is there an issue about composting at the Papermaker's Garden. This seems ridiculous. Composting should not be not a sanitation issue, especially if done on a small scale as seen in the Kultivator's Guerrilla Composting/Feed-back Berlin. I think we should push this a bit, if possible. It is a logical extension of making the space an agricultural area -- we are growing things there, and those plants will need compost, right?
It would be interesting to find out how the composting program is actually doing on campus. I know a few areas at Columbia that are maintaining the bins, but not sure how it's going so far (participation, how many bins are on campus, etc.) Maybe part of class should include talking to the Resource Center people.

It might be worthwhile to somehow create a text-base installation in the space that could point out the conflicting directive we're saddled with: "We are being asked to bring art and creativity to the space, but we need to avoid rocking the boat, so that Columbia students will not be prohibited from using this space in the future." In other words, since sustainability in the way of compost is considered a creative use of the space, as well as a nuisance, the institution would like us to think of doing something else.

I was hoping we could find out how to set up an apiary in the space, perhaps with the help if this group who recently lost their site in North Lawndale and have relocated their hives to three other places in the city.

It looks like one may keep hives in the city of Chicago. Bryan Saner knows something about keeping hives, and could be a resource for us. Laws about beekeeping in Illinois are here.

Bees are needed for plants to survive, and Illinois is among the states currently experiencing the CCD bee hive collapse disorder, as well as home to a number of scientists and activists who are trying to do something about this problem. April in Joliet (see link) has instructions for how to build a beehive on her site.

People-Powered Paper Pulp Beater:
Love this idea. Our final project could be to create plans/fundraise to build one (and a garage for it) that could exist on site.
Drew Matott is an InterArts Book and Paper Alumnus. Besised Combat Paper, which was his MFA thesis project, he also does activist work as Peace Paper.



My Responses to
THE PLACE GAME

AVERAGE RATINGS
Comfort & Image average rating:  2
Access & Linkages average rating:  1.75
Uses & Activities average rating:   2
Sociability average rating:  1.75


1. What do you like best about this place?
It is very sunny even though surrounded by large buildings.

2. List three things that you would do to improve this place that could be done right away and that wouldn’t cost a lot:
~Get the USPO to add a mailbox in front.
~Add benches and trash receptacles.
~Add some simple wayfinding signage to show nearest "el" entrances to Harrison and Roosevelt. Lots of tourists wander around this area, and they can see the train but don't always know how to get to the entrance.

3. What three changes would you make in the long term that would have the biggest impact?
~Restrict development of more high-rise buildings.
~Increase trees and greenery, make the garden have a dirt base, seating areas, and more access.
`Add an event kiosk, similar to the ones now in use in the CTA, to display CCC and neighborhood information

4. Ask someone who is in the “place” what they like about it and what they would do to improve it. Their answer:
"It's ok, kind of boring. You should clean it up and get rid of the trash thrown in there."
(NB: there are a few bottles, plastic bags, side cans, etc. that have been thrown in over the fence since winter.)

5. What local partnerships or local talent can you identify that could help implement some of your proposed improvements? Please be as specific as possible.
~the CTA
~Students and administration from the combined colleges in the area: East/West, Roosevelt, and Columbia
~The Hilton perhaps, for the benches, and the city for a trash receptacle that could be collected by city sanitation trucks.