The city has announced that it is dismantling Touchstone Plaza due to deterioration and safety concerns. Also known as “The Thrones,” this Phillips landmark sits at the northeast corner of the park, at the intersection of Franklin and Chicago. Its architectural sculptures were the product of a multi-year collaboration between the late artist Rafala Green, community members, and more than 80 local youth employed by the project in the 1990s. “Thrones” is a reference to a poem by Louis Alemayehu mounted on a plaque near the entrance.
As a goodbye, the alley will be featuring close up photos of each of the Plaza’s sculptural elements in upcoming months.
All photos by Laura Hulscher.
