Chicago: My New Backyard
I come from a suburb of Texas. Growing up, walking is not a primary mode of transportation. Not only are stores, restaurants and public spaces far from neighborhoods, most of the neighborhoods are very homogenous to the point that every third house looks the same. Having been in Chicago for the past six weeks, the opportunity to explore the city and its various neighborhoods by walking, has given me the time to observe all Chicago has to offer. It has been an eye opening and amazing experience.
As I explored Chicago during my walks, what really struck me was the use of public space as personal spaces. When I walked around the Quad, small children were playing in the grass, oblivious to the fact that they were not in their own backyard. Other people were walking their dogs or visiting with their friends at picnic tables. Just like people in my hometown would use the decks attached to the back of their house to entertain friends and family. All of these people seem to be following the example set in Leo Hollis’ Cities Belong to Us. “By using an urban place against the grain of common practice, one owned it — albeit for the briefest moment.” (Hollis L.) Chicagoans use public places as if it were their own backyard or private residence, as if they own the space. Whether it’s a park or a street corner, someone has found a way to make the space theirs even if the city technically owns it. Other good examples are graffiti and murals. While the wall may belong to Chicago the art belongs to the artist as if it was their personal canvas. Walking in Pilsen, in addition to the murals all over the neighborhood, I saw a family using the sidewalk to create a miniature taco stand. I stopped and had an amazing taco. It’s another unique example of public spaces for private use.
The quote by Hollis “allowing ourselves to explore spaces that we commonly crossed without consideration, and to enjoy the company of strangers.” (Hollis L.) Hollis is talking about a walk with a group of strangers through London at night. This quote really struck a chord with me when I was on one of my recent walks. I went to the Magnificent Mile. If I wasn’t walking to notice I would have missed seeing a couple using the streets of Chicago as their personal venue for photographs. I was surprised to see a bride and groom taking pictures at the intersection. I was captivated that all around them the city was bustling with cars and people, but smack dab in the middle of it all they shared their special moment with the people of Chicago. They were completely oblivious to the fact that they were in a public place. I felt like I was part of their celebration, even though it was a private moment for them. I witnessed another moment similar to the wedding photos, but this time I was at the Cloud Gate, also known as The Bean. In front of this iconic sculpture, there was a girl in a cap and gown taking graduation photos. Seeing as there were no efforts made to clear away people from behind her, it seemed that she too wanted Chicago to share in her wonderful moment of success.
“We complain about the distracting intrusions of the devices we tote around these days, but the technologies of attention theft have defined city life for more than a century.” (Walker R.) Walker is referencing our phones in this quote and how we keep them with us at all times, which stops us from noticing our surroundings. I think this helps illustrate my point of walking around public spaces and stopping to see how others use them. Because with people on their phones all the time, how can anyone notice anything? A perfect example are the solar powered charging station tables at the Quad. While they encourage students to go outside and get some fresh air as they study, they don’t motivate students to engage with the world they are in. Instead, these charging stations are counterproductive as students are still glued to their laptop and phone screens, just as if they were inside using a study lounge or their dorm room. Another example are the people using their phones as they walk. Many people like to go on nice healthy walks, but how good is that walk for your mental health if you are constantly on your phone? I’ve seen many people walk around Lakeshore Drive with earbuds or headphones in just constantly yelling at their phones, seeming to have a stressful conversation all while missing the beautiful view of Lake Michigan. Attention theft shows up in other ways as well. Billboards, store signage, advertisements on the side of buses and the top of taxis are all examples that intrude on our enjoyment of public spaces. While these thieves seem harmless and are accepted as part of American culture, they negatively impact our ability to connect with others and observe the activities of the city.
So what are some ways that we can use Chicago’s public spaces as our own? Doing an entire photoshoot or taking the time to do some possibly illegal graffiti seems a little bit overwhelming, but those are not the only ways to use a public place for yourself. One of the easiest ways is to simply walk to a park or greenspace like the Quad and have a picnic with some friends. Another way is to bring a sketchbook with you to draw what you see around you, maybe play a game like catch or frisbee.
Public spaces are also avenues for free speech, protest and civic engagement. For example, one of the only ways students could protest on behalf of the DePaul campus workers was outside the DePaul facilities. These students used the sidewalks in front of the student center and around the Schmitt Academic Center to hand out buttons and flyers to generate awareness and support for the workers.
Public spaces often reflect the community in which they exist. Walking in the Humboldt Park neighborhood, located on the West Side of Chicago, I spotted musicians playing Puerto Rican music on street corners creating a certain feel or ambience to the space. It also demonstrates the influence of the surrounding community and its culture on the space.
Recently I utilized a public space as my own. I created and filmed a short film on the Quad. Public spaces are great places to film and take photos because you don’t need to ask someone for permission to do so. There’s also several advantages filming outside offers compared to filming inside. Natural lighting, an existing setting, space, and variety are just a few of the reasons to use a public space. When I made my film I decided to use outside as it allowed me to capture a realistic night time setting. Something I could not achieve by being inside. Plus it had the added benefit of being free, something to consider being a student filmmaker.
Public spaces are an important part of a city and have shaped and defined Chicago. Chicago has a long history of incorporating public spaces throughout the city. Whether it is one of the hundreds of parks, the beaches, neighborhood area, Cloud Gate or even the city streets, they have all given Chicago its personality and flavor. Public spaces are vital to a city as they offer cultural, economic, social and physical outlets that provide opportunities for people to engage with each other and the space itself. The quality of life for Chicago citizens improves because of the freedom these public spaces offer. Without public spaces Chicago would not be the amazing city it is today.
