Chicago Model City: In Pictures
By Kate Gardiner in Arts & Entertainment on Jun 11, 2009 5:00PM
While we didn't get the photo of Mayor Daley towering over the new Chicago Architecture Foundation mini-city (Da Mayor's out "sick"), we did get to prowl around its borders with a camera. Chicago in model form is 400 square city blocks painted three shades of gray - sans potholes and urban decay - constructed primarily within city limits at a ratio of 1 inch to 50 feet. While nothing moves in the exhibit (oh but for a Model El) the lights do change gradually, representing the shift from daytime to night.
Someday, perhaps, CAF will build another model of a lesser-known area of Chicago - but for now, the Loop looks downright cool - and it's detailed, down to a tiny, shiny Bean (Erm. Cloudgate.) in Millennium Park. The exhibit is on display through November 20 and CAF spokeswoman Susan Ross said that as her organization looks for a new home in the future, it will be looking for a permanent display site for the 900 square-foot exhibit.
Chicago Model City, Chicago Architecture Foundation, 224 S. Michigan Ave., June 11 through November 20, 9:30 a.m - 5 p.m. daily, FREE