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CHICAGO PUBLIC ART

EXPO CHICAGO
Credit: Justin Barbin

Chicago is famous for its architecture but that’s not the only thing that makes the city such a visual wonderland. The Windy City is filled with so much public art that it’s like an open-air museum. Check out some of the notable pieces in the Chicago Loop and craft your own art walking tour.


MIRO’S CHICAGO
Erected in 1981, this steel, bronze, and concrete sculpture reflects a feminine figure standing 39 feet with a moon at her bell-shaped center and a star above her head. One of the Spanish artist Joan Miro’s most famous works, it’s also called “The Sun, the Moon and One Star” but locals call her Miss Chicago.
77 W. Washington St.


UNTITLED, PABLO PICASSO
Unveiled in 1967 and described as a gift to the people of Chicago in
Picasso’s dedication letter, the 50-foot-tall, 160-ton steel sculpture initially sparked a lot of controversy because nobody could figure out what it was, and Picasso never explained what it represents. Some say it looks like a baboon, others an insect. Over time, the piece became a beloved icon and symbol of Chicago.
50 W. Washington St.

CLOUD GATE
Inspired by Mercury and composed of highly polished stainless steel, the curved sculpture mirrors Chicago’s legendary skyline while supplying a 12-foot arch that acts as a gate to Millennium Park. Widely referred to as “The Bean,” by locals and travelers alike, it was presented in 2006, and it’s the first public artwork in the U.S. by British artist Anish Kapoor.
201 E. Randolph St.


CROWN FOUNTAIN
One of the city’s most fanciful and engaging artworks, the interactive art installation uses water, light, glass, and video on two 50-foot LED towers placed at each end of a granite reflecting pool. The towers project video im
ages of over 1,000 Chicagoans pursing their lips to look like water is flowing from their mouths. The imagery references gargoyles which were traditionally sculpted with open mouths for water to flow. The installation was designed by Spanish artist Jaume Plensa and opened in 2004.
201 E. Randolph St.

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Flamingo by Alexander Calder

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Crown Fountain by Jaume Plensa

Flamingo by Alexander Calder

The bright red, graceful, arcs rising 53 feet stand out against the stark glass and steel buildings that surround it. The abstract stabile by American artist Alexander Calder was created to add lightness and joy to the Federal Plaza. It was unveiled in 1974.

210 S. Dearborn St.
 

The Four Seasons by Marc Chagall

A lyrical mosaic composed of inlaid chips in over 250 colors, the piece celebrates Chicago’s four seasons with images of flowers, birds, suns, fish, and a pair of lovers. The work was created by French-Russian artist Marc Chagall and was installed in 1974.

10 S. Dearborn St.
 

Monument with Standing Beast

The 29-foot, 10-ton fiberglass sculpture suggests a tree, a portal, a standing animal, and an architectural form. French artist Jean Dubuffet designed the piece to invite visitors to enter its openings and explore. It was unveiled in 1984.

100 W. Randolph St.

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