Daphne Garden, Northerly Island

More from Luminance Field

Luminance Field Light Installation, "The Bean"

Forever Marilyn, Michigan Avenue

A new sculpture has been added to the cityscape in Chicago, a towering 26-foot statue of Marilyn Monroe from the infamous subway scene in the movie “The Seven Year Itch.”  From now until the spring of 2012, residents and tourists alike can pose in front of the larger than life iconic American sex symbol.  I’ve posted a string of photos on my Flickr page from my first visit to ‘Forever Marilyn’ the day after the debut.  I'm sure I'll return to Pioneer Court soon for some Marilyn Monroe street photography.

Lion's Den, River North

Night Bean

God Bless America

While the 'God Bless America' statue is long gone from this Michigan Avenue site, I thought we could use a reminder of what use to be.  These images were taken in February of last year about a week before it was removed and shipped for display in Mesa, Arizona.  I had read that this sculpture rendition of the infamous American Gothic painting had been met with much criticism.  I, for one, enjoy giant, larger than life public artwork displays. 

Under Bean

As a photographer, photographing Cloud Gate, aka "The Bean" can pose a challenge.  It is such a highly photographed structure that it can be difficult to create pictures that set yours apart from the rest.  Photographing people visiting the bean can help create some unique shots.  I think it's also important to plan a visit at strategic times of day which can make a huge difference in the quality of shot (i.e. dawn or dusk).  For future posts I will do my best to create 'bean' images that steer
away from the Chicago cliche.  

The Picasso

Pablo Picasso donated this 50ft. sculpture to Chicago in 1967.  Located in Daley Plaza, the sculpture that was never given a name has been described as some kind of bird or a something that resembles a woman’s profile.  Chicago was not accustomed to public sculptural displays that lacked historical significance, so initial reviews of the Picasso were met with controversy.  These days the landmark can be used as a meeting place for loop goers as well as a climbing apparatus for children (or adults who act like children). 

An interesting note is that Picasso refused a $100,000 fee for his work because he wanted to provide the display as a gift to the people of Chicago.

 

Being Born

Have you ever wondered what the 'C' Sculpture off the Ohio St exit of the Kennedy Expressway is?  Situated on the triangle at Ohio, Ontario, and Orleans, "Being Born" was created by Italian sculptor Virginio Ferrari in 1983.  In 1996, it was moved to it's current location from State and Washington.  The idea was to create an artwork display that celebrated both art and technology.  The 2 stainless steel circular pieces represent skill and precision of the tool and die industry.  In the summer of 2008 the sculpture was restored for it's 25th anniversary.  Many consider this design as the gateway into the city.

Agora

Situated at the south end of Grant Park at Roosevelt Rd, for the longest time I had no idea what these head and torso-less iron statues were called.  The Name Agora refers to the meeting places of the ancient greek city-states.  Polish sculptor  Magdalena Abakanowicz designed the 9-feet tall 1,800 pound hollow structures to exemplify her fear of crowds.  As you can see many of the pieces are congregated together while others are walking away from the group, off on their own.  Abakanowicz once described crowds as "brainless organisms acting on command."  Their placement in Grant Park allows for visitors to walk through them to make their own interpretation of each piece of artwork.

Chicago's Eyeball

On July 7, 2010 Chicago was treated to another fine piece of artwork display of gigantic proportion.  The 'Eye' sculpture sits in the Loop's Pritzker Park at State and Van Buren.  Sculptor and Chicagoan Tony Tasset modeled the 30 foot structure after his own eyeballs.  All of these people must have admired the Eye on a previous day, because no one seems to care at the moment. The Eyeball will only be on display until October 31st.