Dragons Fly

Michael Young

Chicago, IL

Honey I Shrunk the Humans. Enter a world of giant dragonflies; but no need to worry - you’ll be safe as long as you’re not a midge or mosquito. Buzzing around since before dinosaurs, dragonflies can fly in any direction at speeds up to 30-40 miles per hour. They travel in swarms when migrating or feeding – the colorful swarm above your head is enjoying a buffet of mosquitos produced by the nearby creek, ensuring your safe passage through the Birch Walk. Spawning tales and mythology in many cultures, dragonflies often symbolize change, rebirth, and happiness.

Inside the Installation

Materials: LED neon, aluminum, magnifying glass

Artist Bio

Michael Young

Michael Young is a Chicago artist specializing in site-specific public sculpture and light-based work. For over 30 years, Young’s customized artwork and designs have appeared in numerous public and private collections across the United States and abroad. Highlights include permanent exhibition design for the National Smithsonian Air and Space Museum along with corporations (McDonalds, Hyatt Hotels, RDD Tokyo), schools (including Ballou Senior High School and River Terrace Special Education Center in Washington DC, Carthage College in Wisconsin), and private collections. From concept to installation, Young’s aesthetic reflects the values and interests of each sculpture’s site and surrounding community. After studying science - primarily botany and ecology – while obtaining a Bachelor’s degree at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Young’s work with organic-forms suggests the interdependence of environmental elements. Skilled in working with materials ranging from aluminum, bronze, and stainless steel to wood, glass, and light, Young’s work is self-fabricated at Sedgwick Studio, a local metal fabrication studio.