Imagine standing here in Schiller Woods, looking out over the rolling green hills. This is no ordinary park, no ordinary mound of earth. This is the Serpent Twin Mound, a fascinating homage to the ancient Indigenous practices that once thrived in this very land. The Serpent Twin Mound is a piece of earthen public art, created by Indigenous artist Santiago X.
Standing almost 10 feet tall, the Serpent Twin Mound was painstakingly crafted from earth, indigenous grass and ancestral dirt from tribal lands throughout the nation. It is not just a sculpture; it’s a monument to the rich history and cultural heritage of the Indigenous peoples who lived here long before the first European settlers.
For Santiago X, the Serpent Twin Mound serves as a poignant reminder of their history and what it means to be Indigenous. It is a symbol of resilience, a symbol of the enduring connection to the land that existed before the city we know today was built on top of an existing culture.
The Serpent Twin Mound is the first public art piece in what is known as 4000N — an interpretive trail that aims to connect the Chicago and Des Plaines Rivers. 4000N is a collaboration between the Chicago Public Art Group, the American Indian Center and the Portage Park Neighborhood Association.
The Serpent Twin Mound is not a solitary piece, it is meant to be one of two effigy mounds that will act as the anchors for this nine-mile walking museum trail. The other will be the Coiled Serpent Mound — located further along Irving Park Road on the western bank of the Chicago River.
The trail will weave a tapestry of stories, art, and history, exploring the connection between the city and its rivers, and the heritage of the Indigenous peoples who have called this region home for generations.
The Serpent Twin Mound is a testament to the enduring spirit of Indigenous culture and its continuing legacy in this region. It is a powerful reminder that the art we see in this park today has ancient roots that go deep and wide. It is also a symbol of the importance of sharing the stories of Indigenous peoples and acknowledging their continued presence in the city of Chicago.