stockyard institute radio station

location: Chicago, IL

date: 2021

type: exhibition

role: designer

Part of Jim Duignan and Stockyard Institute's retrospective: 25 Years of Art and Radical Pedagogy, AO was asked to create a radio station to broadcast programming throughout the duration of the show. Having worked with Jim on previous exhibitions, including Public School (2017 at Hyde Park Art Center) and Pedegogical Factory (with AREA Chicago, 2007 at Hyde Park Art Center), there was a familiarity with the Chicago archtypes Jim thinks about and works within. Low power radio has always been a tool Jim deploys for helping communities get their stories and ideas out in the world, and the space it happens in can range from a closet to a small camper. We wanted to make this a space for gathering, reflecting, and sharing that would also evoke the forms and spaces of makeshift newspaper stands, boy scout tents, greenhouses, and churches. The structure is made entirely of salvaged lumber from Great Lakes Yard, while the walls are a quilt of old boy scout and army canvas tents on the outside and gold lame on the interior. The roof is twin walled polycarbonate, usually used in greenhouse applications. The installation was originally created for the Depaul Art Museum, then travelled with the show to the Union for Contemporary Arts in Omaha, Nebrask.

Arist: Stockyard Institute (Jim Duignan)
Fabrication Partner: Great Lakes Yard