Chapter 125
Chapter 125: The Chicago Renaissance
By the winter of 2084, Carter’s original design foundation in Chicago had grown into a massive regional civic arts center, managed entirely by his grandchildren. The city of Chicago decided to honor his memory by dedicating a public plaza along the riverfront, naming it The Carter Davis Civic Space.
Claire and young Claire traveled to Illinois for the unveiling. The plaza was beautiful—a wide, terraced landscape of green lawns, public art installations, and open studios where neighborhood kids could learn digital design for free.
As they walked through the plaza, a massive holographic projection of Carter’s artwork filled the air above the river. It was a digital rendering of his famous 2028 piece, The Inheritance—the golden cage with the open door and the bird made of garbage bags.
A young male student, holding a digital stylus, approached Claire. "Ms. Davis, are you related to the artist?"
"I’m his granddaughter," Claire smiled.
May you like
"His work changed my whole perspective," the boy said, looking up at the holographic cage. "Our teacher told us that Carter Davis was supposed to be a corporate heir, but he chose to become a street muralist because he wanted to earn his own name. Is that true?"
"It’s entirely true," Claire said softly, looking at the bright reflection of the art on the water. "He learned that the only inheritance that matters is the one you build with your own hands. Never let anyone buy your cage for you, young man."
