This Art Installation Memorializes The Places Weve Lost Forever, In Chicago And Beyond

The Chicago Architecture Center unveiled "The Disappointed Tourist," featuring 312 paintings by Ellen Harvey that memorialize lost places. Each artwork, measuring 18" x 24", portrays sites no longer accessible, complete with their year of destruction. Harvey began this project in 2019, soliciting public input on significant locations, which has grown the exhibit over time. Notably, the Chicago edition includes 13 new pieces inspired by local memories, such as the Mecca Flats and the Blockbuster Video store. The selection process is unscientific, yet Harvey aims for diversity, often prioritizing locations with multiple submissions.

Sarah Ingraham noted the exhibit's resonance with viewers, who share personal stories tied to the artworks. Harvey's previous connection to Chicago includes a mosaic at the Francisco Brown Line station, recently damaged but expected to be restored. The installation serves as a poignant reflection on the emotional ties to places that have shaped community identities.