'Welcome to Tribuneville' explores an alternative history of Chicago's skyline

An exhibition of century-old would-be machinations for Chicago’s skyline is on view now at the 150 Media Stream space in the West Loop. It is augmented by drawings from building-obsessed architectural cartoonist Luis Miguel Lus-Arana (aka Klaus).

Presented with MAS Context, "Welcome to Tribuneville: An Imaginary Vision of an Old Chicago That Could Have Been" features 60 standout entries from the archived 1922 Chicago Tribune Tower competition redrawn by Klaus and projected on 89 different LED 'blades' comprising the gallery’s 150-by-22-foot media wall installation. 

In it, Klaus asks "What could have been?" and redraws the downtown skyline using his selections from the original 263 entries. Included in this alternative history’s trove is Eliel Saarinen’s second-place proposal and more from Bruno Taut, Adolf Loos, Walter Gropius, and other leading architects of the day who were then attracted by very hefty cash prize rewards. 

This is an excellent way not only to delve into the rich history of high-rise architecture in Chicago but also enjoy the superlative work of the Spanish-born illustrator, whose handiwork also helped win the RIBA Eye Line Drawing Prize earlier this year.

A conversation featuring Klaus, MAS Context's editor-in-chief Iker Gil, and curator Yuge Zhou will take place at the gallery on October 8th at 6:00 PM. The last day to see the exhibition is December 30th. 150 Media Stream is located in the lobby of 150 N. Riverside Plaza in Chicago.