A beautiful confluence of migration and art
Monty and Rose mural dedicated at Chicago's Uptown Library.
A beautiful mural dedicated to Monty and Rose weaves together themes of migration—bird migration and human migration—in a neighborhood known for both. The triptych by artist Dorian Sylvain came together with the support of the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events and the Chicago Public Library. A big shoutout to Branch Manager Mark Kaplan for organizing a stellar unveiling event on Saturday.
The mural honors Monty and Rose and their legacy while depicting birds moving across every continent on the globe. It’s an appropriately theme in Uptown, long a welcoming entry point for immigrants from across the world. Recently, the community opened a 1,000-bed shelter for asylum seekers who’ve arrived in the United States from Central and South America.
“Whenever I engage in a public art piece, I try to engage in conversations with the community,” said Dorian on Saturday. “The conversation is always around what does this community mean to you? How does it feel to you? People mentioned migration, diversity, and safety. Monty and Rose were just the perfect metaphor for all of that.
“One of the things that stood out was the love and care that came out of [the story]—an example of how the power of love, the power of community can save people.”
The Uptown Branch is located at 929 West Buena Avenue.
Just a reminder of upcoming screenings of FLUDDLES. I’ll be in Normal tonight, Champaign on Friday, and Channahon on May 3.
NORMAL, April 22, Normal Theater, 7 p.m.
In partnership with Grand Prairie Bird Alliance
CHAMPAIGN, April 26, Champaign Public Library, 4 p.m.
In partnership with Grand Prairie Friends & Champaign County Audubon Society
WILL COUNTY, May 3, Four Rivers Environmental Education Center, 6:30 p.m.
In partnership with Forest Preserve District of Will County
“Fluddles—a Must-See Documentary”
Thanks to Andy Morkes for his kind words for his Nature in Chicagoland blog. I’m not sure there is a more comprehensive blog out there on interesting natural areas in Chicagoland!
If you live in Illinois or another Midwest agricultural state, you’ve probably zoomed by flooded farm fields in the spring or fall on an interstate highway without giving them much thought. But Fluddles, filmmaker and blogger Bob Dolgan’s new film, demonstrates their importance—especially in a state where 90 percent of the wetlands have been destroyed. The film shows that the fluddles provide key habitat for migrating birds and other animals. They also filter and clean water, as well as reduce nitrate runoff—a great thing because Illinois farms are a major contributor to Gulf of Mexico hypoxia due to fertilizer runoff.
Fluddles (Running Time: 41:01) is a thoughtful and beautiful meditation of both what we have lost in our natural world in Illinois and beyond and what may be regained if we open our minds to the possibilities.
I am looking forward to the Fluddles screening tonight in Normal. We expect a good turnout and discussion about restoring wetlands in McLean County.