Organized by Daniel Tucker. Featuring photography by Lauren Cumbia and Hillary Anne Strack. With many contributors all listed below.
Chicago: Green Lantern Press, 2011
Pages: 154
Dimensions: 8 in x 8 in
Cover: soft
Binding: perfect bound
Process: Digital
Color: full color cover, black ink throughout
Edition Size: 255
ISBN-13: 9781565924796

This book includes so many friends of Half Letter Press (as well as an essay by Salem Collo-Julin who is part of Temporary Services and Half Letter Press) that we should be going around getting it signed like it's our high school yearbook or something! The book is rich with photos and essays and is a particularly extensive piece of documentation for an ephemeral project. An excellent reflection of Chicago in 2011 and a great value at just $10.00.

The Visions for Chicago project is described particularly well on the blog for the effort (http://visionsforchicago.wordpress.com/) so from here on out we'll just quote directly from the source:

"Visions for Chicago is a public art project taking place in front yards, empty lots and public spaces throughout Chicago, Illinois during a historic mayoral and city council election season. The question, “What is your vision for Chicago?” is important at this time because, for the first time in 20 years, the city’s balance of power is shifting. Both Mayor Daley and the city council he controlled are retiring. As such, the political culture of corruption, defeat and disengagement they encouraged can be transformed. But change doesn’t happen in the small window of time afforded by elections; it happens over long periods of time, as people acting collectively implement their strategic visions. Through macro and micro level intent, we can transform how we think, behave and relate to our each other and this city.

From November 2nd of 2010 until April 1st of 2011, blank signs were distributed to over 100 Chicagoans who are trying to make the city more livable in a myriad of ways. Signs were also distributed to students at Orr High School in West Humboldt Park and the project organizer, Daniel Tucker, placed signs in public spaces throughout the city. The signs and the sign makers were photographed and their work is presented here so that we can read their visions in relationship to other sign makers and our own visions.

Visions for Chicago contributors:

Aaron Hughes, Abigail Satinsky, Adam Kader, Alex Han, Alexa Roberts, Alice Kim, Amanda Klonsky, Amy Ellison, Amy Mall, Ana Katsenios, Athena Thasiah, Augie Montes, B. Loewe, Ben Helphand , Bill Ayers, Brad Thomson, Carlos Fernandez, Carolyn Thomas, Carrie Spitler, Charlie Vinz, Chasity White, Courtney Moran, Coya Paz, Dalin and Lightie, Damon Locks, Dana Carter, Dara Epison, Darlene Gramigna, Dave Pabellon, Dave Stovall, Dawn Herrera Helphand, Dayna Kriz, DeBrina Moore, Devin Mcintosh, Eden Thasiah, Elise Zelechowski, Elizabeth Thasiah, Ellen Rothenberg, Elly Fishman, Elvia Rodriguez-Ochoa, Eric Rogers, Eva Preus, Fausto Lopez, Fereshteh Toosi, Frank Edwards, Gabby Higgins, Graham Stephenson, Grant Buhr, Harishi Patel, Hazel Bee Womac, Hector Gonzalez, Hillary Strack, Ida Rocket Xoomsai, Jackie Ingram, Jaiya Ovid, Jeanne Walker, Jen Blair, Jerome Grand, John Preus, Kai Preus, Karen Furlong, Kathleen Duffy, Keshawnda Eggleston, Khila Clay, Kristina Pilman, Kyla Lyles, Lauren Cumbia, Lillie Mccartin, Liz Goss, Louisa Womac, Manchershaw Engineer, Marcus Thomas, Mariame Kaba, Mark Shipley, Marquesha Mance, Martin Macias Jr., Marvin Scott, Maximiliano Benitez, Melissa Dean, Micah Maidenberg, Michelle Lugalia Hollon, Miguel Colon, Mike Phillips, Nat Zorach, Neil Brideau, Nicole Mauser, Nina Xoomsai, Peter Zelchenko, Rachel Caidor Rebecca Zorach, Roxy Trudeau, Ryan Lugalia Hollon, Salem Collo-Julin, Samuel Barnett, Sara Brodzinsky, Sarah Jane Rhee Solveig Preus, Talib Becktemba-Goss, Theaster Gates, Tiana Jones, Tyra Williams, Tzitlalli Cienfuegos, Victor Thasiah, and Vinay Ravi.