Posted on February 3, 2016

‘Witches’ Want to Exorcise Logan Square’s Gentrification Demons

Rachel Cromidas, Chicagoist, January 26, 2016

It might take a divine intervention to slow the spread of gentrification and rise of new “luxury” apartments through Logan Square. In the meantime, a trio of performers collectively called WITCH plan to address the Northwest Side neighborhood’s changing face in their own way: by putting a “hex” and “protective spell” on the area.

“WITCH will perform an Hex and a Protective Spell action in the triangle of Logan Square, close to the Logan Square Blue Line CTA stop, as part of the 2nd Floor Rear Festival of Itinerant Spaces,” according to the Facebook event listing. “WITCH wants to bring attention to this dynamic, hex those who profit from it, and protect those who suffer from it.”

But is it performance art, social justice, a literal pagan ritual, or something else? Chiara Galimberti, 34, says it’s a mix of art and protest.

“We think of it in the art realm,” she said, but the group also envisions elements of social justice playing a part in it, she told Chicagoist.

“We are calling them actions because it brings a level of seriousness and attention to the social justice aspects,” Jessica Caponigro, 31 added. “We’re not sitting around playing dress up.”

{snip}