From “Stewart Hicks”. ( YouTube / Nebula )

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__Special Thanks__
@TierZoo for contributing his wisdom!
+ Adam LeBarge for the Rat Hole Replica
+ Evan Montgomery for production and editing.

__Description__
In this video, we explore the unexpected intersection of art and urban life as we unravel the story of the Chicago Rat Hole—an accidental urban sculpture that has captured the imagination of a community and beyond. Located in a northern Chicago neighborhood, this seemingly mundane sidewalk anomaly has transformed into a symbol of curiosity, amusement, and cultural significance.

What is it and why has it become so famous? From its viral spread on social media to its comparison with iconic landmarks, this object reveals the thin line between accidental incidents and artistic creation, questioning conventional values and community in the architectural framework.

We make a replica of the Rat Hole to see what it would take and put ourselves in the position of an artist making the thing, and the art practices through history it relates to. That are the philosophical implications of the Rat Hole? Maybe considering its status as an indexical sign will unveil its deeper meanings.

Rats are multi-faceted symbols, maybe the perfect symbol for the city of Chicago. Join us in celebrating Chicago’s newest landmark through a love letter to the Rat Hole, reflecting on the beauty and imperfections that define our urban surroundings.

Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments. Has the Rat Hole changed your perception of urban art and accidental beauty? What other unnoticed art lies beneath our feet?

__Membership__
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__About the Channel__
Architecture with Stewart is a YouTube journey exploring architecture’s deep and enduring stories in all their bewildering glory. Weekly videos and occasional live events breakdown a wide range of topics related to the built environment in order to increase their general understanding and advocate their importance in shaping the world we inhabit.

__About Me__
Stewart Hicks is an architectural design educator that leads studios and lecture courses as an Associate Professor in the School of Architecture at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He also serves as an Associate Dean in the College of Architecture, Design, and the Arts and is the co-founder of the practice Design With Company. His work has earned awards such as the Architecture Record Design Vanguard Award or the Young Architect’s Forum Award and has been featured in exhibitions such as the Chicago Architecture Biennial and Design Miami, as well as at the V&A Museum and Tate Modern in London. His writings can be found in the co-authored book Misguided Tactics for Propriety Calibration, published with the Graham Foundation, as well as essays in MONU magazine, the AIA Journal Manifest, Log, bracket, and the guest-edited issue of MAS Context on the topic of character architecture.

__Contact__
FOLLOW me on instagram: @stewart_hicks & @designwithco
Design With Company: https://designwith.co
University of Illinois at Chicago School of Architecture: https://arch.uic.edu/

__Special Thanks__
Stock video and imagery provided by Getty Images, Storyblocks, and Shutterstock.
Music provided by Epidemic Sound

#architecture #urbandesign