If you live in Chicago, you probably know about “Cloud Gate” (aka, The Bean), “The Picasso” and the twin Lions that stand guard in front of the Art Institute of Chicago but you may have missed some of the city’s other wonderful public art installations.
Since most stores and cultural institutions are currently closed and we are reminded to practice social distancing during the COVID-19 crisis, a walk through Chicago’s outdoor public art landscape is a good way to get some exercise, fresh air and a bit of culture.
Just keep your safe distance.
Here is Show Me Chicago’s self-guided tour:
The Tour
Our tour starts in front of Chicago’s Cultural Center on the corner of Washington St. and Michigan Ave with a Bronze Cow that we affectionally refer to as:
Not Now Bronze Cow
78 E. Washington
Bronze Cow.
Back in 1999, Cows on Parade captured the imagination and affection of Chicagoans and visitors alike. Dozens of creative cows were spotted (pun intended) everywhere from the Museum of Science and Industry to the Mag Mile and some neighborhoods.
Then they went away with 20-something of them returning last year to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Cows on Parade.
Although some survive in private collections and indoors, our “Bronze Cow” is the only utter one on public view in an outdoor location.
Stop two: Monument with Standing Beast
100 W. Randolph
From Bronze Cow, head west to Clark, turn right (north) for one block to Randolph where you’ll find the Beast on the northeast corner of Clark and Randolph in front of the Thompson Center
“Monument with Standing Beast” is a 29-foot-tall fiberglass sculpture that weighs more than 10 tons.
This fiberglass beast is made up of four elements that are said to represent an animal, a portal, a tree and an architectural form. It was unveiled in 1984, and according to the artist, Dubuffet, it is a “drawing that extends into space.” Chicagoans have nicknamed the piece “Snoopy in a blender.”
Stop three: The Muddy Waters Mural
17 N. State
From “The Beast” head back east on Randolph to State (two blocks). Turn south on State to Washington (one block). Stand on the SW corner and look up and across the street to get the best view of the mural.
Muddy Waters mural. Photo: Carole Kuhrt-Brewer
Chicago blues legend Muddy Waters is honored in this colorful nine-story tall mural. The mural was completed in 2016 by Eduardo Kobra, an internationally acclaimed Brazilian street artist.
Muddy Waters known as the “father of modern Chicago blues” came to Chicago from Mississippi in 1943, as a part of the “great migration” of African Americans from the southern United States.
“I Can’t Be Satisfied” and “I Feel Like Going Home” were some of Waters earliest hits recorded in the late 1940s on the Aristocrat label (later Chess Records).
Stop four: Marc Chagall’s The Four Seasons
10 S. Dearborn
Four Seasons. Photo: Chicago Tribune
After viewing the Muddy Waters mural, continue south on State St. (one block) to Madison St. Turn right (west) on Madison to Dearborn (one block) to Chase Tower Plaza SE corner of Madison and Dearborn.
Composed of thousands of inlaid chips in more than 250 colors, Marc Chagall’s mosaic artwork “The Four Seasons” portrays six vivid scenes of Chicago. The mosaic was dedicated on September 27, 1974, as a gift to the City of Chicago from Frederick A. Prince, an American investor.
Stop five: Flamingo by Alexander Calder
50 E. Adams
From the Chagall, go south on Dearborn to Adams, turn left (east) on Adams to 50 E. Adams home of the Flamingo that sits on Federal Plaza in front of the Kluczynski Federal Building
Calder’s Flamingo. Photo: Chicago Tribune
Alexander Calder’s Flamingo is an iconic, towering piece of bright red public art that anchors the large rectangular plaza.
It is bordered by three Bauhaus style federal buildings designed by Mies van der Rohe.
The sculpture’s vivid color and curvilinear form contrast dramatically with the angular steel and glass surroundings.
Despite its monumental proportions, the open design allows the viewer to walk under and through the sculpture, leading one to perceive it in relation to human scale.
Bonus installation: Agora
If you like to walk you may want to include Agora at 1135 S. Michigan Ave. on your tour.
The installation is about a mile walk from Calder’s Flamingo.
Go east on Madison to Michigan Ave. (three blocks). Turn right (south) on Michigan to E. Van Buren. Agora is on the east side of Michigan Ave. on the Southwest edge of Grant Park.
Agora by artist Magdalena Abakanowicz is inspired by World War II and the 45 years of Soviet domination that followed. The large installation is comprised of 106 nine-foot tall headless torsos made of cast iron, the artwork derives it name from the Greek word for meeting place. The figures are posed walking in groups in various directions or standing still.
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Filed under:
Art., Public Art.