SOUTH SHORE — The city cleared the way for a new sculpture garden in South Shore from artist Theaster Gates on Wednesday, but it seems like he has plans for more than art.
The City Council on Wednesday approved selling Gates 16,000 square feet of property next to his Kimbark Studios at 7200 S. Kimbark Ave. for $88,000.
Gates plans a public sculpture garden and parking lot, scheduled to cost $189,000, according to plans.
Ken Stewart, chief operating officer for Gates' Rebuild Foundation, said it was too early to comment on the project because planning was still in the early stages.
But clearly the idea for the property will be more than sculptures: A large brick oven surrounded by cords of wood already has been built on the edge of the property.
Perhaps there will be more clues on Sunday, when Kimbark Studios holds an open house starting at 8 p.m.
Kristopher Murray, dean and executive chef of the Washburne Culinary Institute, will prepare food before introducing his collaboration with filmmaker Marco Ferrari called “Food & Art as Medicine.”
Ferrari will screen his new video work, “Surfaces,” both inside and outside the studio. A portion of the film about valuing property versus individuals will be projected onto the St. Laurence School building, 1392 E. 72nd St.
Wednesday's acquisition marks the second piece of city-owned land Gates' Rebuild Foundation has acquired for a sculpture garden.
In April, the City Council approved leasing Gates 15 vacant lots from 6929-67 S. Kenwood Ave. for a community garden, which will be added to the neighboring ComEd substation that Gates has received permission to use.
“The substation will be reimagined as a performance and meditative space,” Stewart said. “The vacant land south of the substation will be given over to more passive landscape design and activity and will become a community garden and park.”
He said the planning is ongoing for that project as well.
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