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Coming to the Humbolt Park Neighborhood Summer 2025
The "Hanging Garden of Midsummer's Feast" is an outdoor sculpture designed as an immersive banquet space that delves into the intricate interplay of native and foreign bodies within both ecological and sociological contexts. By intertwining themes of rootedness and migration, this project initiates a dialogue on cohabitation, exploring how diverse biological species and human communities can support each other's existence within shared habitats.
The sculpture will physically manifest by lifting a segment of lawn above a kotatsu-style banquet table grown from native Chicago reishi, revealing the underlying soil to create a communal space for both human and non-human species. Flowers and herbs will be planted along the table forming living centerpieces. This space will host a Banquet featuring an all-vegetarian menu, including mushrooms from the Windy City Mushroom Farm and produce from Patch Work Farm. These gatherings will not only nourish the participants but also reinforce the themes of ecological and social cohabitation.
The project draws on the historical and cultural symbolism of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon to create a space of structured abundance, transcending monetary and social hierarchies. Inspired by the egalitarian traditions of the Sikh religion, the installation promotes the idea that all individuals, regardless of status, deserve dignity and nourishment. This philosophy extends to the non-human participants, as the ecosystem benefits from the enriched soil, compost, and shared resources.
The installation is specifically designed for Chicago-based refugee and immigration social workers, who play a crucial role in fostering resilience and diversity within the city's community. While care is central to both artist's practices, immigration holds personal significance for Vince. We aim to recognize, celebrate, and nourish the frontline workers who provide essential services to Chicago's most vulnerable populations. This project creates a third space, distinct from home and work, that embodies the sense of being grounded—a service these workers provide to thousands of refugees. They act as bridges between bureaucracy and hope, carrying the aspirations and dreams of countless immigrants on their shoulders.
We have identified eleven Chicago refugee organizations, including the Chicago Refugee Coalition, Muslim Women Resource Center, Chinese Mutual Aid Association (CMAA), and the Ethiopian Community Association of Chicago. Invitations will be extended to the frontline social workers from these organizations to attend one of the dinners within the installation.
If you are interested in participating or volunteering in this project please get in touch.
We would love to hear from you.
serenajve@gmail.com
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