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Millennium Park's Jason Pettus Pavilion
Constructed August 22, 2004
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My friend Dave had a dinner party over at his Lincoln Square apartment in August 2004. Dave also used to work for the Lego corporation, and so has this giant bag of blocks left over from when he used to be in Europe and working for them. Inspired by my recent trip to Chicago's Millennium Park (and the fact that a friend had gotten me high earlier that afternoon), I decided to build the newest addition to the park, the Jason Pettus Pavilion, already known by the general public as "The White Disaster." This is a little photographic tour of the pavilion, broken up into the following areas: 1) Rememberance for Those Who Have Fallen; 2) the Tree of Eternal Hope; 3) Fountain of Wishes; 4) Interfaith Prayer and Meditation Chamber; 5) Meditation Fountain; 6) the Wall of the World; and 7) the South Entrance.
Southwest corner, looking at the Wall of the World. The wall is designed to symbolize all violations of human rights throughout history, and all acts of hope that have progressed beyond them.
West edge, looking at the Fountain of Wishes and the interfaith center beyond. Spigots in the foutain splash out onto the concrete below; water is safe for drinking or playing in. Ignore the giants in the background!
Another eastward shot, this one also showing the Tree of Eternal Hope. It is like one of those giant trees used to decorate Rockefeller Plaza every Christmas, except planted and alive all year round.
From the northwest corner, looking at the Rememberance for Those Who Have Fallen. The memorial is a set of abstract sculpture, designed to let you remember those in the past who have died, in whichever way you wish to remember them.
The interior of the Interfaith Prayer and Meditation Chamber. Semi-roofed and semi-open, to respect both the indoor- and outdoor-based faiths of the world. Parkgoers are once again encouraged to use this space in whatever way works best for them: for formal meditation, traditional prayer, quiet contemplation or even celebrations of life (i.e. wedding ceremonies). Did I mention this was really good pot this guy shared with me earlier that day?
Looking east, towards the South Entrance. People have interpreted this entrance in several ways: as a means of symbolically making oneself pure before entering the space; as a dark memorial for the inherent evil in the world, which of course is the necessary yin-yang balance for hope and faith. Every public pavilion should have an element of mystery, don't you think?
Another shot of the Rememberance for Those Who Have Fallen, looking due south.
Another interior shot of the chamber, including the Meditation Fountain. The pavilion is also littered with stone gargoyles, complete with rainspout mouths.
East wall of the pavilion. Take that, Gehry!
From the southeast corner, looking north.
A stray cat started hanging around the site when construction of the pavilion began; the crew ended up sorta adopting the cat during construction, and naming him Oleg. Oleg became somewhat of the patron saint of the pavilion, and the crew decided to add a whimsical tribute to him above the south entrance to the chamber.
If you would like to see the Jason Pettus Pavilion turned into the newest reality of Millennium Park, please contact Richard M. Daley, mayor of Chicago. Your support is appreciated!
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