The Kedzie Stretch

05/20/20

By Jess Bass

In this time of stillness, with spring blooming on every block, the details of the everyday are ever more present and visible. Thinking about the in-betweens, the happenstances, and the moments we encounter and create in our day-to-day, we organized Kedzie Stretch as a collaborative public art project located in Logan Square. 

The first iteration was installed on North Kedzie Blvd. between Altgeld St. and Fullerton Ave. on May 8th and 9th, with artwork by Jess Bass, Loaf, Luba Mendelevich, Ilse Miller, Rob Sohmer and Cherrie Yu. The works involved hot glue batik tapestries, potato nests, a flower for the clouds, a water garden, conceptual pointillism, and a picnic bench for squirrels.

The artists were prompted to select or create a physical artwork that spoke to ideas of change, chance, hope, and community, and that could be viewed by all audiences (humans, squirrels, worms, clouds, light, plants...). Each work was designated a location on the Stretch that matched its concept, and placed six feet apart from each other. Artists installed on a staggered time schedule and were required to wear masks, gloves and practice social distancing to create a safe environment for themselves and others.

This is a growing and ongoing project curated by Jess Bass through Flower Shop Collective. Kedzie Stretch is a call to bring our art outside: to collectively create awe and joy for our neighborhoods in a time of physical and spatial isolation. No gallery doors creating boundaries; no white walls to create distance. This is the time to bring art to the people on a local level. 

The second iteration was installed between May 14th and the 17th, featuring work by Luca Donaldson, Lily Homer, Margaret McCarthy, and Ilse Miller. 

If you are interested in being involved in future iterations of the Kedzie Stretch, contact Jess Bass at jbasslynn@gmail.com for more information on how to take part!

Water Garden by Ilse Miller

“I wanted to create a place where people could take a moment to breathe and reflect, and to feel like a part of nature.”

Sky Spud by Loaf

“I wanted to be part of the Kedzie Stretch because it felt like an opportunity to connect with the neighborhood in this isolated time. The project focuses on finding moments of joy and intrigue in this contemplative moment.”

Projected Image as a Constellation of Painted Dots by Rob Sohmer

“I wanted to explore ways of showing work publicly that I was comfortable with, and to create work whose secrets didn't have to be known to be experienced.”

Cloud Flower by Luba Mendelevich

“Art has the power to bring joy and hope to people, which is especially meaningful at a time when most of us are severely lacking these things. The Kedzie Stretch offered me an opportunity to connect to a variety of people through my work, hopefully bringing them at least a bit of encouragement.”

A Picnic Table for Squirrels by Cherrie Yu

“I am definitely excited to see more birds, squirrels and bunnies out and about since there are less people out since the lockdown. The squirrel picnic table is a nod to that as well, to acknowledge that, okay we are taking less space, here is more space for you, squirrels.”

Duvet Legs by Jess Bass

For more images of the Kedzie Stretch, check out the project gallery on the Flower Shop Collective website.