The Damen Silos, a renowned graffiti haven in Chicago’s McKinley Park, are set to be demolished, prompting a wave of nostalgia among local artists.
Milt Coronado recalls his journey as a young artist, sneaking away from evening church services to the silos, where he had his first experiences with graffiti tagging.
“I wasn’t part of a graffiti crew,” he admits, acknowledging that at the time, he didn’t consider himself embedded in the culture but yearned to be.
In the late 1990s, these silos provided an essential connection for him and other emerging artists.
“It was a museum,” Coronado describes, noting how the walls displayed the names of established artists he admired.
The silos provided a relatively safe and isolated environment for budding artists to hone their spray-painting techniques without fear of interruption.
“I really owe a lot to that part of my life,” he reflects, recognizing how those early experiences shaped his identity as an artist.
As demolition commenced in July on the two sets of 80-foot concrete silos, along with additional buildings on the site, Coronado and others expressed their sadness at the loss.
Once a vibrant symbol of Chicago’s agricultural history, the Damen Silos had served as an iconic canvas for graffiti artists for nearly 50 years, capturing the essence of the city’s urban decay.
Michael Tadin Jr. purchased the 20-acre land from the state in 2022 for $6.5 million, although his plans for its future remain undisclosed.
Luis Molina, known in the graffiti scene as Peas, reminisces about the thrill of climbing the silos and tagging their rooftops with the CMK Crew, of which both he and Coronado are members.
Recalling the daring ascent, Molina shared the camaraderie built among artists, which flourished as the silos became a focal point for graffiti culture.
As he reflects on the giant rooftop tag that marked their dominance, Molina noted the evolution of the scene, where newer artists pushed boundaries by rappelling down the silos to leave their marks.
Graffiti artist Zwon, inspired by the silos’ rich history, also chose to leave his tag despite initially hesitating due to their impending demolition.
“A lot of people went there at some point in their lives and became part of the spot, so I wanted to be part of it in some way as well,” he stated.
Molina further emphasized the significance of the silos, describing them as a crown over the South Side, a familiar landmark that represented history and nostalgia for many.
Greg Gunter, who goes by the name Werm, joined the graffiti scene alongside Molina in the 1990s, sharing memories of early artistic battles that unfolded around the silos.
Recalling the competitive spirit, Gunter noted crews would stash their paints and supplies nearby, returning under the cover of night to outdo one another’s work.
The silos had become a safe haven for artists, a place where they could gather without fear of law enforcement interference.
Having recently added new work to the silos, Gunter expressed a deep connection to the site, stating simply, “It was kind of a gray area. The cops wouldn’t really mess with you.”
Coronado, who later pursued a degree in illustration and design, now finds himself looking back at the silos with mixed emotions.
“Seeing them come down is sad,” he lamented, adding that the silos represent a significant part of his childhood and artistic upbringing.
“It’s part of who I am and part of Chicago,” he stated, reflecting on the landmark’s role in his life.
The Damen Silos were located along the Chicago River near Damen Avenue, serving as a magnet for graffiti artists drawn to their imposing structure and hidden spaces.
Having remained under state ownership for years, the site’s eventual sale and redevelopment had been anticipated for decades.
As artists mourn the loss of the silos, many are taking the opportunity to pay their respects, acknowledging the role they played in the urban art scene.
The massive structures are expected to be completely demolished within months.
With the end of the Damen Silos, a chapter of artistic collaboration, rivalry, and community spirit will come to a close for Chicago’s graffiti artists.
image source from：chicago
