Flight of Butterflies

The Flight of Butterflies is a public art initiative located throughout the Chicago Parks District and along the city's Magnificent Mile. The exhibit programming debuted in April 2024 and is set to run through September 2025. Organized by the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum in collaboration with The Magnificent Mile Association and Special Service Area 76, the exhibit features 29 large butterfly sculptures designed by local artists and community groups. The six-foot-tall sculptures are crafted from steel with aluminum wings, modeled after butterfly species such as the eastern tiger swallowtail and the state-threatened regal fritillary.

Flight of Butterflies aims to raise awareness about biodiversity and conservation through art. The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, renowned for its Judy Istock Butterfly Haven, home to over 1,000 free-flying butterflies, draws inspiration from its commitment to conservation efforts. The exhibit underscores the museum’s ongoing mission to create meaningful connections between people and the natural world, addressing global conservation issues and local efforts to protect imperiled species. Each sculpture serves not only as a work of art but also as a call to action, encouraging viewers to consider their own role in conservation.

This city-wide exhibit initially featured sculptures along Michigan Avenue, with plans to later rotate the works to various locations throughout Chicago, including parks such as Garfield Park, Humboldt Park, and Lincoln Park. The initiative brings together a variety of partners, including CNL Projects, the Chicago Park District, and ChiLab Studio. Financial backing from Tullman Community Ventures further enabled the execution of the project.

Background

The "Flight of Butterflies" exhibit intertwines art and nature to raise awareness about biodiversity and conservation. The project reflects the museum's ongoing mission to create meaningful connections between people and the natural world, particularly through its diverse conservation stories and initiatives.

Initiated by the Judy Istock Butterfly Haven, the exhibit supports global conservation efforts by forming partnerships with butterfly farms to protect tropical butterfly habitats. Additionally, it plays a crucial role in the local conservation of imperiled butterfly species, reptiles, and amphibians. The exhibit underscores the museum's commitment to community science initiatives, including the Illinois Butterfly Monitoring Network, the Illinois Odonate Survey, and the Calling Frog Survey, thereby fostering a community of nature champions driven by inspiration, action, and curiosity. The exhibit features sculptures that will be initially displayed on the Nature Museum grounds and Michigan Avenue, with plans to rotate them to various parts of the city to encourage widespread engagemen. Each piece offers a unique interpretation of butterflies. For instance, Hector Duarte's "Vuelo Sobre Fronteras" explores themes of migration and freedom, while Rahmaan Statik's work delves into the intersection of technology and organic forms.

By visiting the exhibit, audiences are invited to explore Chicago's artistic and natural heritage, learn about the role of art in promoting conservation, and perhaps be inspired to join local conservation efforts.

Exhibit features

The city-wide exhibit features 29 large butterfly sculptures placed in strategic locations across Chicago, including the Magnificent Mile, Jane M. Byrne Plaza, and various city parks such as Garfield Park, Humboldt Park, and Lincoln Park.

The six-foot-tall sculptures are designed by a diverse group of local artists and community groups, who modeled them after butterfly species like the eastern tiger swallowtail and the state-threatened regal fritillary. The sculptures are made from steel bases with cast metal bodies and aluminum wings, making them both visually striking and durable. Each artist brings their unique perspective to their creations, using the butterfly as a canvas to explore themes such as migration, freedom, and the intersection of nature and technology.

The exhibit is supported by the augmented reality (AR) butterfly experience. By scanning QR codes placed at each butterfly sculpture, users can activate the AR experience directly on their smartphones. This feature leverages the front-facing camera to superimpose virtual butterflies into the real-world environment. Visitors can capture photos and videos of their interactions with the butterflies and share these moments on social media, spreading the magic of the "Flight of Butterflies"

Magnificent Mile

The Flight of Butterflies exhibit on the Magnificent Mile features ten butterfly sculptures placed along Michigan Avenue, with specific spots including Pioneer Court, the Ritz-Carlton, and Water Tower Place. Other notable locations feature the sculptures, such as the planter bed at 625 North Michigan Avenue, where the piece "Map to Migration" by Rubén Aguirre is displayed, and Jane Byrne Park, which hosts a sculpture by the Englewood Arts Collective.

Each of the locations also offers an augmented reality experience. By scanning QR codes at the sculpture sites, visitors can watch virtual butterflies, native to Chicago, come alive on their screens. The QR codes also allow visitors to learn more about the artworks and their creators.

The exhibit runs through July 2024, with sculptures migrating to Lincoln Park and various city parks on the South and West sides later in the year.

Sculptures

Source

• Vuelo Sobre Fronteras by Hector Duarte
  • Located at 875 North Michigan Avenue, this sculpture highlights the themes of migration and borders, symbolizing the journey of butterflies and their ability to transcend man-made boundaries.
• Wanderlust by Mayumi Lake
  • Located on the 2nd floor of Water Tower Place, at 835 North Michigan Avenue. It represents the sense of adventure and curiosity inherent in butterflies as they explore their environments.
• Ulukububa by Nnenna Okore
  • Displayed at The Ritz-Carlton Chicago, located at 160 E Pearson St. It draws inspiration from natural patterns and the resilience of butterflies in urban settings.
• Boundless Impact by Englewood Arts Collective
  • Situated in Jane M. Byrne Plaza at 180 E Pearson St, this sculpture emphasizes the far-reaching effects of conservation efforts and the interconnectedness of natural habitats.
• Adapting to an Unnatural Habitat: A Haiku by Cydney M. Lewis
  • Located at 717 North Michigan Avenue, this artwork combines visual art with poetic expression, capturing the challenges and adaptability of butterflies in changing environments.
• Turnasol/Iridescence by Salvador Andrade Arévalo
  • This sculpture, found at 676 North Michigan Avenue, celebrates the vibrant and ever-changing colors of butterfly wings, reflecting their beauty and diversity.
• Map to Migration by Rubén Aguirre
  • At 625 North Michigan Avenue, this sculpture maps the migratory paths of butterflies, highlighting the importance of preserving these routes for future generations.
• Techno Organic by Rahmaan Statik
  • Located at 600 North Michigan Avenue, this piece merges technological and organic elements, symbolizing the integration of nature and modern life.
• Vuela Vuela by Yvette Mayorga
  • Displayed at The Shops at North Bridge, 520 North Michigan Avenue, this sculpture invites viewers to consider the delicate balance between urban development and natural habitats.
• Of Migratory Paths and Milkweed by Alice Hargrave
  • Found at Pioneer Court, 401 North Michigan Avenue, this artwork focuses on the critical role of milkweed in the lifecycle of butterflies and the importance of planting native species to support their survival.

Artists

Full list of participating artists

1. Alice Hargrave
2. Ariée (Aria Carter)
3. Azadeh Hussaini
4. Candace Hunter (chlee)
5. Cydney Lewis
6. Englewood Arts Collective
7. Hector Duarte
8. Isaac Couch
9. James Jankowiak
10. Jordan Martins
11. Kahari Blackburn
12. Leonard Suryajaya
13. Liz Flores
14. Luis De La Torre
15. Maria Burundarena
16. Marwen Lab Residency
17. Mayumi Lake
18. Melanie Vazquez
19. Moises Salazar Tlatenchi
20. Negwes White
21. Nnenna Okore
22. Olya Salimova
23. Rahmaan Statik
24. Ravi Arupa
25. Red Line Service
26. Rubén Aguirre
27. Salvador Andrade Arévalo
28. William Estrada
29. Yvette Mayorga

Sponsors and partners

The initiative is spearheaded by The Magnificent Mile Association, in collaboration with the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum and Special Service Area 76, a district that funds various public services and beautification projects. CNL projects organized the artists and ChiLab Studio designed the cast metal bodies and provided support and space for the artists to work.

The Flight of Butterflies Exhibit in Chicago 2024 has garnered support from a variety of sponsors and partners dedicated to enriching the community through art and nature conservation. Key partners include Michael Dimitroff at the Chicago Park District, art consultant Cortney Lederer at CNL Projects, Ben Stagl at ChiLab Studio, who provided studio space and directed the sculptural forms fabrication for the exhibit., and Terry Karpowicz who handled installation. Financial support was also provided by Tullman Community Ventures, enabling the creation and execution of the exhibit

The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, Chicago's premier institution focused on environmental education and the natural world, hosted the initial display of the sculptures and emphasized their mission to connect urban areas with nature and promote biodiversity conservation.

Additionally, several community organizations and groups contributed to the creation of the sculptures. This included partnerships with groups working with unhoused artists, people with developmental disabilities, and youth, showcasing a wide range of media such as acrylic paint, fabric, mosaic tiles, African beads, and even blankets.

Impact

Environmental awareness

The exhibit also serves as a tool for environmental advocacy. The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum uses the exhibit to highlight issues such as biodiversity loss and climate change. Each butterfly sculpture tells a story that intertwines artistic expression with wildlife conservation, encouraging viewers to think about their own relationship with nature. The museum’s efforts to re-release and increase populations of threatened butterflies are brought into public consciousness through this artistic medium.

Educational initiatives

Through the strategic placement of QR codes at each sculpture location, visitors can access special photo experiences and educational content. The involvement of young artists through programs like Marwen’s Lab Residency also emphasizes the educational dimension of the exhibit.

Community involvement

The initiative is a collaborative effort that highlights the talents and stories of artists from various Chicago neighborhoods, including those who are unhoused, have developmental disabilities, or are youth participants. By collaborating with various local organizations like the Englewood Arts Collective (EAC) and Red Line Service, the exhibit amplifies the voices of historically marginalized communities. EAC, for example, uses art to represent the multi-dimensional talent of South Side Chicago creatives and to counter negative impressions of the Englewood neighborhood. This kind of engagement not only uplifts the local community but also educates the public on the rich, artistic heritage embedded within these areas.

In addition to the AR experience, the exhibit aims to engage the community through various interactive elements. For instance, the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum has placed nearly two dozen sculptures around the museum and Lincoln Park, creating a city-wide gallery. The museum supports global conservation efforts of tropical butterfly habitats through partnerships with butterfly farms, amplifying their institutional mission to create positive connections between people and nature.