CARACOL

Lead artists / Artistas lideres: Georgina Valverde, Diana Solís, José Terrazas

Drawing on rich connections from the natural world and cultural symbolism, Caracol (“snail” and “shell” in Spanish) represents the immigrant´s desire to belong while maintaining the core of memory and identity. Snails perform a critical role in the food chain, breaking down plant matter and aiding in the nutrification of the soil. Likewise, immigrants economic and cultural contributions enrich and revitalize the host society. Caracol´s spiral-shaped structure suggests ongoing movement from the core to a widening exterior — from the familiar to the unknown. The installation includes a table that can function as a work or picnic table, and as a painting surface for a series of murals featuring the interplay of language and images, a stage, and a hopscotch game that uses Mesoamerican numbers.

Community Partner: Contratiempo (Pilsen) preserves and highlights the cultural identity and contributions of the Spanish-speaking Latino population in the United States.

Inspirado en las ricas conexiones entre el mundo natural y el simbolismo cultural, Caracol representa el deseo del inmigrante de pertenecer, manteniendo al mismo tiempo su núcleo de memoria e identidad. Los caracoles desempeñan un papel crítico en la cadena alimentaria, descomponiendo la materia vegetal y enriqueciendo el suelo. Del mismo modo, los contribuciones económicas y culturales del inmigrante enriquecen y revitalizan la sociedad que los recibe. La estructura en forma de espiral de Caracol sugiere el movimiento continuo que se amplía desde el núcleo hasta el exterior; de lo familiar a lo desconocido. La instalación incluye una mesa donde se puede trabajar o hacer un picnic, y en su superficie se pintará una serie de murales que reflejarán el juego entre el lenguaje y las imágenes, un escenario, y una rayuela con numeración mesoamericana.

Organización comunitaria aliada: Contratiempo (Pilsen) conserva y revalora la identidad cultural y las contribuciones de la población latina hispano parlante en los Estados Unidos.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

BY CAR:

Metered parking is available in the lots at 31st Street, 39th Street, and E. 47th Street/Cornell Drive. Parking is also available at the western terminus of the 35th St. and 41st St. pedestrian bridges.

BY BIKE:

Biking is a great way to access all of the Gathering Spaces. Whether you use your own, or rent one with Chicago’s bikeshare program, Divvy, biking is a great way to explore the entire Burnham Wildlife Cooridor. Divvy Stations are located at S. Lake Park Ave, E. 47th Street and at the 31st Street bridge.

For more info visit: Divvy Chicago

BY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION:

Public transportation is an easy, accessible and affordable way to get around Chicago and access the lakefront.

CTA Bus routes 31, 35, 39 & 47 all take you as close to the BWC as possible. For more information on routes and bus tracker visit: Transit Chicago