A plan by a Chicago design firmed owned by an Oak Park resident to temporarily install floating golden pigs in front of Trump Tower (Chicago) has been put on hold until at least 2018.
New World Design Ltd. announced the City of Chicago’s transportation office has denied the design company a docking permit for the ship to which the golden pigs would be tethered.
The company announced in late 2016 that it aimed to secure the oversized balloons to a ship floating in the Chicago River. The goal was to block the 200-foot “TRUMP” sign on the side of the building for four hours.
Jeffrey Roberts, an Oak Park resident and founder of the design firm, told Wednesday Journal in May that his goal was to have the project – dubbed “Flying Pigs on Parade: A Chicago River Folly” – up sometime in August or September.
“We’ve hit a timeline point where it’s too late to fabricate, ship and float the balloons within a reasonably predictable weather window,” Roberts said a July 26 press release.
New World Design said in a press release that the city said it was concerned about the project’s potential to hinder commercial and recreational traffic “as well as the issue of setting precedent.”
“In addition, municipal reimbursables (security, sanitation, etc.) projected by the city have been substantially higher than the design team anticipated as it would be tagged as a ‘festival’ style event,” the company stated in the press release.
New World Design said it will continue to pursue the project next year. The company also will continue its effort in other cities. Roberts said in May that interested parties in Las Vegas, Vancouver and Manhattan had inquired about the art installation.
“Given the continuing irrational nature of the political environment, our team remains committed to the message and deployment of the art installation,” Roberts said in the press release. “We greatly appreciate the support from those that have contributed and those that have helped us spread the message via social media channels and other media outlets.”
CONTACT: tim@oakpark.com
