- 2021
- EcoArt, Light Projections,
- Personal Project
Could you be just a little bit better? One day at a time?Maybe for one week out of the year?
Climate change is one of the most urgent threats, yet it feels hopeless for many people. Before It’s Too Late (BITL), a nonprofit arts organization founded out of MIT and based in Miami, FL is out to educate and inspire people to build a more sustainable world together #beforeitstoolate. Inspired by their mission, I brought their message to Chicago.
Among the massive buildings of concrete and glass, beats the tiny heart of an impermanent community garden, The Garden of the West Loop. Birthed in dirt-filled baby pools in a vacant lot, countless tomatoes, peppers and eggplants have sprouted, and the fragrance of rosemary, lavendar & thyme linger in the air. This place of living proof, that small actions make a big difference is where I challenged Chicagoans with BITL's Seven Day Challenge during Earth Week.
The Garden & the unofficial mayor of the West Loop
The Garden is the brainchild of Moshe Tamssot, creator of the infamous True West Loop facebook group. Always striving to build community and form connections, he realized he could create something from nothing by transforming vacant city lots into temporary city gardens, where urbanites could grow whatever they like during the warmer months. At the end of the season, the garden gates are opened to the public to trim free fresh herbs and veggies, just in time for Thanksgiving.
This site on Sangamon & Monroe has been a beacon for 4 years-home to 121 pools, 65,340 lbs of dirt, and countless smiles. It's time, however, is up at the end of May 2021, when developers will reclaim the land. If you can help it find a new home, or know of a vacant lot that would make a great city garden, please contact Moshe asap.
