CHINATOWN — Residents are invited to a public forum to discuss the proposed finalist for a public art project within the neighborhood's new library.
The event takes place from 6-7 p.m. Wednesday at the library's current branch at 2353 S. Wentworth Ave., where the name of the finalist and the finalist's proposed project will be revealed.
Last year, a selection made up of neighborhood civic leaders, including librarian Si Chen and Chinatown Chamber of Commerce chairman Ray Chin, as well as project architects and city planners, opened up the call for submissions from artists who live or work in Chicago.
The artists' charge was to "create a high-impact, elegant, site-specific artwork that responds to the light-filled, open architecture, as well as the concept of wisdom and the search for knowledge that the function of a library implies," according to the city's department of cultural affairs and special events.
Guided by the principles of feng shui, architects have created a two-story "pebble-shaped" library wrapped in columns of Ipe wood and glass, allowing patrons to look out and passersby to look in.
Slated to open in July, the new showcase facility has been described by library officials as a high-tech community hub with meeting space, a kids area, YOUmedia teen section and more. It is expected to cost roughly $18 million, largely financed through tax increment financing district money.
In addition to the tech upgrades, the library will have a special Chinese language and heritage collection, host the city's new teacher-in library-program and have expanded study and community rooms.
The library's exterior will be adorned with Ginko and Crabapple trees as well as native plants, and plans call for the creation of a walkway between the "old and new" Chinatown.
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