Nature and Social Justice in Twenty-First Century Cities

“I am passionate about crystals and their power. The pyramid has geometry, squares and triangles, and is structurally very sound. I would love to see this translate more into the built environment. What if we had quartz and amethyst in the built environment—things that add to your life?”

Ladipo, my partner, went to Egypt and brought back a set of three pyramids made of crystals as a gift. I loved them and keep them on my desk at work for protection and as a reminder that I’m in control. The “Love Pyramid” is meaningful to me because it’s a symbol of my partner’s love blended with my affinity towards crystals. I selected this object today as I use these crystal pyramids made of stone within the built environment of my office space. Not only in the way the pyramid is made, structurally sound, but also the material of the pyramid, adds meaning that can be carried into the design of future built environments. Imagine walking into an office or home with a rose quartz wall, or amethyst chairs.

“Everything existing in nature is art. I am an electrician by trade and an artist. Every day I create something—this is the artist’s legacy. That is a real artist.”

This object is motor, heater, jewelry box.

“It chronicles transformation and growth, and how people can come together informally to create change. It is also a showing of positivity on the South Side. There is so much good happening here, and it is so overlooked.”

This object came about because of a vacant lot I bought on the South Side. In hopes of creating an amazing native garden, I began what I now call a performance art piece. I worked on the garden: creating a beautiful space and having conversations with the neighbors, observing changes and talking out ideas with them.

The object has meaning because it collects the stories of the people who live by the lot. It shows their thoughts and allows them to participate in a beautification project. I have come to love the conversations I have with the neighbors and cherish the experience.

This project has been a fundraiser for the garden. People have loved reading the poetry and better understanding Chicago. And getting a more realistic view of the South Side.

“Collections can look like many things, and while I have several, this one delights me the most in its simplicity and serendipitous nature.”

I had only ever seen cartoon representations of beaver logs—all pointy ends and stripped bark—before I stumbled across one on the beach. It was thrilling that the real thing was so immediately recognizable.

Walking on the beach has become a semi-regular break on stressful work days and a way that I reconnect with nature. I found the first beaver log in February 2017 and gave it away to a friend as a gift, but soon more followed and the more I look the more I find.

“It represents change and reorder of material. I use shale rock as design ‘edge’ for landscapes, but it is a natural material being used in an ‘unnatural’ way.”

I love natural stone. It's been on my desk since I moved to it. [I'm] unsure who it belonged to before.

“It’s the beauty of nature. It was grown and harvested to promote love and acceptance for a friend’s wedding.”

Let us grow things, and compost it!

I have really cute pictures with it! I made a cape for the event—my friends queer barn wedding!

I was going to compost it, but decided to dry them and keep them for as long as I take good care of them. I wanted to continue promoting sustainable art. People should grow their art, and cause no harm. Grown, harvested, and compost it!

“It symbolizes my belief that that we as a society need to get our hands dirty both literally and figuratively. We should reexamine the maker and the maker’s process and, in combination with modern technology, find more sustainable and regenerative ways to improve our community.”

This bowl is simply clay from the earth and with the human hand, it turned into functional ware. I have carried this object with me for 20 years. It has held keys, soap, money, soup, and much more.

“I love how it feels to touch. I find it beautiful. It grows richer in the touching. As a pre-K—eighth grade art teacher, I want more objects like this for my students to grow with, for their hands to touch and receive a glow from touching.”

It is the most beautiful object I have.

“For three generations the children played in the tree, around the tree— 'Ring Around the Rosie.' It brings memories of family that have come and gone."

Taken from a tree in Carr’s yard.

“I worked for United Way, and they collected stuff to give as gifts. These crystal globes of Earth were discarded, and I took them. Four years ago, I started an initiative, 'The Black Man's Expo.' The globes became an award for community spirit and activism. The globe is a way to create connection with community—promote artistic and creative endeavors in the community."