Lady Dissident Chicago Travel Auxiliary
Lady Dissident Chicago Travel Auxiliary
Founded in 2007 in response to rapid, cheap neighborhood development and pro-tourism campaigns, The Lady Dissident Chicago Travel Auxiliary aims to meet the needs of all Chicago residents by providing a handy bicycle guide to secluded, comfortable locations within which to enjoy the splendors of our fine and prosperous, but occasionally troubled city. The LDCTA Publication Series ("The Series") is the collaborative effort of Anne Elizabeth Moore and Alana Bailey. The posters highlight intimate spaces within specific Chicago Neighborhoods while addressing timely issues the neighborhood faces. We consider them anti-travel posters, encouraging the residents of the city to take more pride in the beauty of their spaces and address the immediate issues facing their communities.
Although a commercial form, and hung in commercial environments, these posters take an anti-commercial stance, encouraging residents to think more carefully about their ownership over their city. Most are hung in public spaces or public spaces of commerce; very few are sold to private collectors.
The Series began in July 2007 with a 5 color poster for Humboldt Park with the following text:
"Visit Our Backyard
Humboldt Park 'It's not as dangerous as it used to be'
Just 18 minutes from downtown Chicago via bicycle-Fast, unlimited access on all major throughways
Boulevard accessible from Augusta and Division Streets, North and Armitage Avenues."
Printed in an extremely limited edition of 25, the Humboldt Park poster was posted around the city in various locations. Many of the posters were stolen within days, and the LDCTA still receives inquiries about this poster. It was featured in Time Out Chicago in November, 2007.
The Series continued in April 2008 with an 8 color poster about Lincoln Square.
"Escape the baby carriages and dogs of Lincoln Square:
Visit Thurber on the couch-Just 45 minutes from downtown Chicago via bicycle."
Printed in an edition of 100, the Lincoln Square poster remains popular and beloved by many. Both these posters have been photographed, photocopied, and pirated by enthusiasts.
We look forward to exploring more corners of Chicago, tastefully and thoughtfully pointing out lovely nooks and crannies while addressing the ideas and feelings of the residents. In the coming months, we intend to create works based in Pullman, Rogers Park, Englewood, the East Side, and Bronzeville, and will solicit new collaborators for the LDCTA poster series—individuals with a strong association with their neighborhood, who may be interested in guiding us to their beloved intimate spaces.
