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Chicago Street Writing

March 10th, 2004 · 14 Comments


When I moved to Chicago and sadly thought that the
Street Writing Project was going to cease to exist with my move. Surprisingly
I was greeted by street writing everywhere in my local neighborhood
of Wicker Park. On my first weekend walking around I took 20 photographs.
I plan to continue to photograph Chicago’s street writing and to post
the photos here.

My shoes are still way boring.

» View the Chicago Street Writing Project

See also:
» New York Street Writing Project

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14 responses so far ↓

  • 1 tien // Mar 10, 2004 at 1:45 pm

    holy crap batman, there is still snow on the ground there? actually, it’s not that absurd.

  • 2 rachelle // Mar 10, 2004 at 2:13 pm

    snow? no. that photo was taken when i was here working and looking for an apartment earlier in february.

  • 3 mmeiser // Mar 10, 2004 at 2:20 pm

    First, welcome to chicago!

    Second, you’re graffitti art is very insightful. It’s got a very consistent message. It seems very adbusters, anti-corporate/anti-bush. A sort of latent sub-cultural conversation. Interestingly enough it also is very geographical. I’m guessing you spotted all this on division, the milwakee corridor and up in the north, damen area. Judging by your shoe/coat combination, it’s apparent you shot it all in one or two days too, very impressive.

    The wicker park/bucktown area is a nexus for artistic, anti-corporate progressive activities. They protested the real-world heavily, the first starbucks to the area heavily, and what’s more if you pay close attention you start to notice things, like the number of people who rely on alternative transportation (bikes, vespas, motorcycles). Clearly one of the most interesting and artistic areas of chicago.

    BTW, Make sure you check out on Milwakee, Orange Skin and Square One for coold design stuff and a cool hang cafe/mag shop, and eat at Penny’s Noodle’s (Thai) as soon as possible. It’s my favorite restraunt, and I’m interested in hearing your review of how it stacks up against NY places. It’s right under the north avenue stop on the blue line.

  • 4 rachelle // Mar 10, 2004 at 2:25 pm

    just to clarify.. i didn’t do the graffiti in these photographs, i’ve only documented the graffiti that I see.. And yes, you’re right. . . most of these were on Milwaukee and Division. I’m looking forward to exploring Wicker Park/Bucktown more. I’ve seen Penny’s but haven’t been there. The places I have eaten around the neighborhood so far are Milk & Honey, Las Palmas, Zen Noodle, and a sushi place that was really delish.. i think it had “eden” in the name. I can’t remember.

  • 5 rachelle // Mar 10, 2004 at 3:16 pm

    sorry, the sushi restaurant is called blue fin. it was really good.

  • 6 Pierre Lapis // Mar 10, 2004 at 3:57 pm

    HI !! You should have a look at this swedish site. Some anonymous artist has made “street writing” fully integrate inte to cement pavements in Stockholm. The artist has made a webbsite with pics of the pavement-stones, and even a map were they are placed in stockholm. Bad quality of the photos but the idea and actual action of doing all this is faboulous!! Go have a look http://www.gatsiten.se gatsiten means in swedish - streetsite

  • 7 burntdesserts // Mar 10, 2004 at 3:59 pm

    I love your street writing project. I think your shoes in the pictures are the best part!
    We met at a party in NY for Sassy, I am from Seattle… I love your site.

  • 8 joe s // Mar 10, 2004 at 4:14 pm

    Nice to see the street writing project continue. Keep looking down!

    This reminds me that I have a picture of swirly street writing from Seattle to put up.

  • 9 rachelle // Mar 10, 2004 at 4:32 pm

    burntdesserts, yes, i remember.. at dahlia’s. i’m glad you like the site :)

  • 10 nickdickey // Mar 11, 2004 at 12:51 am

    Rock on Rachelle! Looks like wicker park hasn’t changed much (sure it’s more “gentrified” though)…gonna have to go back some time, you make me miss my favorite u.s. city….anyway good luck and have fun!!!

  • 11 matboy // Mar 11, 2004 at 5:29 am

    Hey, is that your ipod lead hanging down at the bottom of the shots? Is it there to impress us?

  • 12 Nan // Mar 11, 2004 at 8:39 am

    you better keep that ipod at close range - josh is going to steal it next time he sees you - he loves that thing!

  • 13 rachelle // Mar 11, 2004 at 10:54 am

    matt, yes it’s my ipod and no, it’s not there to impress you… i just always have it on when im out and about.

  • 14 SHALENE AKA SHADY // Jan 23, 2006 at 8:14 am

    sup this shalene from des plaines nigga whats good ?????? hit me up yo yo yaya yayo gdn till da world blo 6poppin 5 dropping alkk all day 7414 bos

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