Huge Counterpublic exhibition puts socially conscious art in the streets of St. Louis

Beneath threatening storm clouds, 13 people carried long, silver wind chimes up the tallest hill in Benton Park one April morning. They took turns climbing an aluminum ladder and hanging the chimes onto a cord tied between two trees.

As they completed the piece, an installation by musician Raven Chacon, onlookers applauded.

“This is from a series of works that are meant to bring the public out into the streets,” Chacon said.

His work is part of Counterpublic, a massive exhibition of public art meant to do just that. The works are placed at locations throughout the city of St. Louis, mainly along Jefferson Avenue. It runs through July 16.

Artists explored social issues relevant to each location.

The siting of Chacon’s piece — a park named for Thomas Hart Benton, 19th century champion of westward expansion — is key to its meaning. It’s a temporary anti-monument, hanging in opposition to the spirit of the Gateway Arch, which celebrates that expansion.