CLAIRVOYANCE DÉPAYSEMENT. The feeling of disorientation and bewilderment one might feel upon being in a totally foreign environment.

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1 CLAIRVOYANCE DÉPAYSEMENT The feeling of disorientation and bewilderment one might feel upon being in a totally foreign environment. A project by Nicholas Desotell, in collaboration with students and faculty from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and the Alliance Française de Chicago.

2 This project was made possible through generous contribution from the Alliance Française de Chicago (AF), the Department of Architecture, Interior Architecture, and Designed Objects (AIADO) at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), and Odile Compagnon Architect (OCA). Prompted to construct a shelter within the Alliance Française that deals with homelessness in the River North neighborhood, this proposal suggests a broader alternative to shelter interactions. This experiential installation, which acknowledges the educational possibilities of free and accessible learning, occurs along the alley wall west of the Alliance Française. Fulfi lling a process of exploration, CLAIRVOYANCE engages with a diverse audience through an exterior alley membrane and an interior courtyard space. Inspired by the Alliance Française s mission as an institute of language, the proposal focuses on the French language in both written and spoken form. Taking further inspiration from the alley condition, the written text is extended as an educational tool to bring awareness to the alley s imperfections. The inequality of the maintenance and education are linked through language in an effort to prompt a continued look at the Alliance Française as a holistic leader within the community. The alley currently stands as a forgotten gap between the adjacent businesses, making it an important public space for those who do not have a secluded space to call their own. Acknowledging these users and the utilitarian nature of alleys, an industrial material palette was chosen to execute the fi nal project design. The desired outcome aims to not only activate the space but to remember those who occupy the alleyway as a refuge. The layout of this project allows users to embrace both sides of the courtyard/alley wall in a manner that defi es the othering of any individual. Credits: Nicholas Desotell, SAIC 2017: Collaborator and Concept Designer Klaire Rial, SAIC 2017: Collaborator and Project Designer McCoy Crawford, SAIC 2017: Collaborator and Team Manager Odile Compagnon, AIA: Design and Installation Coach Special thanks to: Aimée Laberge, Director of Programs at AF Jack McCord, Executive Director at AF Jonathan Solomon, Associate Professor and Director of AIADO at SAIC Additional thanks to: Zoe Moore, AF Maël Ginsburger, AF Félix Serrano, AF Jeff Lookabill, AF Erald Sanatine, AF Lisa Hilgenberg, Chicago Botanic Garden Brent Horvath, Intrinsic Perennial Garden Ayse Pogue, Chicago Botanic Garden Pascale Kichler, DePaul University DePaul University Student Volunteers Weiyi Xia, Ming Liu, Ailing Ding, SAIC

3 DEARBORN ST CHICAGO AVE SITE PLAN The courtyard of the Alliance Française is an urban oasis for those who have access to its programs. Tucked between their classroom building on Chicago Ave and its support building on Dearborn St, the courtyard is at the intersection of two circulation systems that fold into a clever link.

5. LATEX CIRCLE & QUOTES A latex circle within the courtyard stands along quotes

These pieces are meant to trigger contemplation and active conversation.

MOSS C ARPET The moss on the alley ground is a visual record of pedestrian trafﬁc

4 5. LATEX CIRCLE & QUOTES A latex circle within the courtyard stands along quotes from French authors. These pieces are meant to trigger contemplation and active conversation ISOMETRIC VIEW 6. MOSS C ARPET The moss on the alley ground is a visual record of pedestrian trafﬁc due to its responsive properties, growing most readily in areas that are seldom crushed. This moss has been gathered from cities and places around the globe, it symbolizes the collective spirit of the public alley.

The feeling of disorientation and bewilderment one might feel upon being in a totally foreign environment. DÉPAYSEMENT 3 4 3.

This French word and its English deﬁnition frame the context of the alley as a forgotten public space. 6 4.

The texts are chosen from public submissions fortheir relevance to the project concept, dealing with themes of shelter, homelessness,

5 The feeling of disorientation and bewilderment one might feel upon being in a totally foreign environment. DÉPAYSEMENT DÉPAYSEMENT Dépaysement is stenciled on the building façade, with its deﬁnition found after a series of red dots and text. This French word and its English deﬁnition frame the context of the alley as a forgotten public space HIDDEN TEXT Vinyl curtains hide various texts by French authors to spark engagement with the physical site. The texts are chosen from public submissions fortheir relevance to the project concept, dealing with themes of shelter, homelessness, luxury versus poverty, and the superﬂuous. Quotes appear in both French and English with accompanying audio translations. 1. Coring 2. Hole Table 3. DÉPAYSEMENT 4. Vinyl Curtains with Hidden Texts 5. Latex Circle and texts 6. Moss Carpet

6 1. CORING An 18-inch porthole cut through the courtyard/alley wall creates a sense of connectivity between interior and exterior, sparking curiosity and a conversation about the border between private and public spaces in Chicago. 2. CORE TABLE The remaining core is placed on a simple stand within the courtyard and becomes a new moment of engagement. A thermos of coffee is placed on the core as a simple offering. Offering coffee and the like is an established tradition at the Alliance Française to help develop a sense of community.

Public Art Plan. We have elected to submit Public Art Plans before or concurrently with the CSP Submittal per the FDP Manual

Public Art Plan. We have elected to submit Public Art Plans before or concurrently with the CSP Submittal per the FDP Manual Public Art Plan The intent of the Horizon Uptown Public Arts Program is to create great places that engage the community and leverage the neighborhood development and economic vitality. The Horizon Uptown