Public art is great to have around. It sparks dialogue and thought. But according to the artist’s website this installation constitutes “a lasting anxiety.” Hmmm. do we want a piece that causes anxiety in our parks?
It’s one thing if a public work creates a deep thoughtful reflection, like the Vietnam Memorial. But to just rekindle her feeling of being overwhelmed by a crowd people, what does that say? Don’t be in a crowd of people?
Of course, as with any work of art, the viewer can derive their own meaning. And this piece looks like it’s vague enough, yet specific enough to do just that. People will love running around these giant figures. The Sun-Times captures that feeling with their headline, “Exhibit may make you feel like a kid again.” Or perhaps people will look at the individuality of the sculptures. Despite their similiarities, there are differences that make us all unique. A nice message. Maybe I need to just get over that statement of “lasting anxiety.”
Source:
ï Exhibit may make you feel like a kid again, Chicago Sun-Times
√Ø Magdalena Abakanowicz’s website
ï Gapers Block
This artwork is a gift to chicago from our sister city Warsaw, Poland. Now that’s really nice of them. The suggested location as stated on neweastside.org: The prominent location of the northeast corner of Michigan Avenue and Roosevelt Road is being considered for this public sculpture. This corner is one of the last remaining, unfinished landscaped rooms envisioned by Daniel Burnham and Edward Bennett for Grant Park. Starting from Millennium Park at Randolph to Roosevelt Road along Michigan Avenue there are several defined, landscaped rooms with art, culture, activity, and beautiful landscaping creating Grant Park destinations. This location is a gateway to the South Loop and Near West Side as it is connected literally and figuratively ( sculptures on the bridge represent UIC) by the Roosevelt Road Bridge to the UIC community and campus. It is also the site of one of the city s historic entry points for immigrants and migrants during the much of the 20th century.
does your contact at the Public Art Program have anything to say about this?
weren’t these unveiled the other day? Your post came almost a full year BEFORE the unveiling.
I try to keep up on things related to public art. But gapers block gets the real credit, cuz that’s where I found this story a year ago.