- I think all of us are shaped
and changed by art as we grow up.
It starts with our earliest memories.
As time goes on there are obviously iconic images
that become part of your understanding of the world.
And I think that's something
that we want to make sure we are honoring
in the process of designing
and building the Presidential Center
'cause we want kids on the South Side of Chicago
or the West Side of Chicago to have access
to art and to understand that they, too,
are art makers, and that they can create amazing work.
Part of what makes Chicago a world-class city,
is its cultural and artistic institutions.
And we hope that the Obama Presidential Center
will be viewed as part of this amazing tapestry
of institutions.
We want to be a living, breathing,
center of activity and a place where people can gather,
and learn, and debate, and connect, and be inspired.
And art does that.
And so we're really excited about the incredible number
of artists who have expressed an interest
in working with us.
Mr. Hunt, what an honor to be with you over Zoom.
- Very good.
- It's great to see you.
- Well and, and vice versa.
And I'm so glad that this is a possibility for you.
- Yeah.
(soft music)
- When I was born, my parents lived in Woodlawn,
63rd and Eberhart.
I think I was about four years old
when we moved to Englewood.
There was a South Side Community Arts Center.
I took a few classes there.
As a kid, my mother took me and my sister to museums,
both the Art Institute the Field Museum.
What I saw in those museums made me more aware
of various possibilities.
I had spent a lot of time taking art classes,
and then when I got a scholarship to go
to the Art Institute, then I said, okay,
I'm gonna be an artist, and in particular sculptor.
I set up in my parents' basement,
a little studio to work, start to exhibit my work
and art fairs, and I, give another boost to my career.
I guess was in the sixties where African Americans were,
you know, in a lot of areas trying to make inroads.
And there were people that picketed and petitioned
at the Museum of Modern Art and many other museums
to exhibit works of African Americans.
(soft music)
It's just beyond the area
where the Ida B. Wells public housing was.
The concept was to create a sculpture
of some scale and to be somewhat impressive.
The three columns that come up that support the sculpture
and then within the columns, plaques that have images
of her and some her choice quotations.
- I have been a huge admirer of your work
for a long time and Michelle has as well.
To have one of the greatest artists Chicago ever produced
to participate in what we hope is an
important cultural institution for the City
and the South Side, it feels like a pretty good fit to me.
- When I was approached by the Obama Presidential Center,
I was delighted.
It's a real honor and privilege to have this opportunity.
The piece for the library is an elaboration
from a piece that I did for an award to supporters
of the United Negro College Fund.
So it's a book, and it opens up,
and there's a bird that comes out singing.
(soft music)
I want them to see this Book Bird, as I call it,
as something that encapsulates the progress one can make
through reading and study.
This Book Bird helps you to take wings yourself.
- It's a beautiful image.
Richard, I will tell you that it immediately spoke
to me as a powerful image that fits the space
and is a message, obviously, that's consistent
with what we're trying to do
with the Presidential Center generally,
and the library, in particular.
It speaks to the space in a way that would be compelling
to visitors and to the residents of the community alike.
- There are a range of possibilities
for art on public buildings or in public places
to commemorate, to inspire.
I think art can enliven and kind of set certain standards
for what's going on in and around it,
and within the community.
Now here within Woodlawn is this world-class place
that kids can go to.
It's an opportunity for our community
to absorb information and inspiration
from something that's right in their midst.