Projects > The Green Dress, A Chicago Story (1980)

The Green Dress, A Chicago Story is a conceptual photo essay which was displayed in the lower lobby of the Goodman Theater and shown at the Artemisia Gallery in Chicago. The piece comprised of a portfolio of twenty-one 16 x 20 color 'C' prints of me wearing an emerald green sequined dress at significant Chicago locales including the Art Institute of Chicago, Wrigley Field, O'Hare International Airport, and the Auditorium Theatre.

The Green Dress represents a "new history" of Chicago, combining historical landmarks with symbolic and personal landmarks. The dress belonged to my mother, who purchased it in 1954. The photographs reflect the strong juxtaposition between the locations and the green dress, evoking images which are at once intriguing and surprisingly surreal.

In The Green Dress I'm the creator, but the creation goes beyond me; the dress is the object, Chicago is the subject, and I'm just a vehicle for it. The green dress represents the "spirit" of Chicago and acts as a visual narrator in all the images. During the opening at the Artemisia Gallery, a collage of Chicago music was integrated as part of the opening night.

This project was a collaboration between myself and photographer Dirk Bakker. The project was partially funded by the Illinois Arts Council and Art in Public Places, Inc.

Portfolios are in the custody of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago History Museum, Detroit Institute of Arts, Museum of Fine Arts Houston, International Center of Photography, New York among others.

Running in Wrigley Field
Photograph
16 x 20
1980
Sears Tower
Photograph
16 x 20
1980
Rollerskating at the Axle
Photograph
16 x 20
1980
In Cousin Deborah's porch swing
Photograph
16 x 20
1980
In Deering Library
Photograph
16 x 20
1980
Drinking at Hogan's Bar
Photograph
16 x 20
1980
The Green Dress Locations
Text Documentation
1980
In St. Paul's Woods
Photograph
16 x 20
1980
Courtyard on Wellington Street
Photograph
16 x 20
1980
O'Hare
Photograph
16 x 20
1980
South Side Junkyard
Photograph
16 x 20
1980
On the 'El'
Photograph
16 x 20
1980
At the Twin 1-2-3 Drive-In
Photograph
16 x 20
1980
On the Auditorium Theatre Stage
Photograph
16 x 20
1980
At Arlington Park
Photograph
16 x 20
1980
The Shedd Aquarium
Photograph
16 x 20
1980
In the Art Institute
Photograph
16 x 20
1980