A wave of bewilderment is washing over Chicago as the exterior of the forthcoming Barack Obama Presidential Center reveals its inscribed text. The words, an excerpt from Obama’s powerful Selma speech, are proving remarkably difficult to decipher, prompting a flurry of online commentary and comparisons to meaningless placeholder text.
The 225-foot museum tower, intended to be a striking tribute to a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement, is instead generating a different kind of attention. Critics are struggling to read the sprawling inscription, with some describing it as resembling a coded message or a design flaw.
The speech, commemorating the 50th anniversary of “Bloody Sunday” – a brutal attack on voting rights marchers in Selma, Alabama – was meant to inspire. Instead, the architectural execution has sparked mockery, with one user comparing the building to a “Klingon prison” from “Star Trek.”
The layout of the text is the core of the issue. Attempts to wrap sentences around the building’s curves have resulted in fragmented phrases and a confusing visual experience. One observer noted the text only appears legible from a very specific vantage point on the ground, or from the air.
Beyond the aesthetic debate, the center’s construction continues to fuel concerns about gentrification on Chicago’s South Side. While some acknowledge the potential benefits of a new park and community hub, others worry about rising housing costs and displacement of long-time residents.
The building’s Brutalist-inspired design, characterized by its stark, minimalist aesthetic, has also drawn criticism. Locals have playfully dubbed it “The Obamalisk,” a pointed reference to the imposing and often controversial architectural style.
The Obama Foundation initially planned to install the screen text at the end of 2025, describing the inscription as a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle for equality. The center itself has been repeatedly touted as a vibrant community resource and an economic catalyst for the South Side.
Despite years of planning and construction, and overcoming legal challenges and federal reviews, the Obama Presidential Center is now facing a new hurdle: ensuring its message is not lost in translation – or obscured by its own design.
The debate highlights the complex interplay between art, architecture, and social impact, raising questions about how best to honor history while addressing the needs of a changing community.
