CHICAGO PUBLIC ART # 16 - CELEBRATION OF THE 200TH ANIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF THE REPUBLIC

Another one that will have to wait til spring. This one is right at the east door of The Art Institute, and unfortunately, is the recipient of all the detritus from the construction work going on there. It is a fountain, and the cement pool and surrounds are chuck full of boards, litter, pipes, etc. As that construction is due to be finished by May 16th, I will return around then to see both it and the newly refurbished Buckingham Fountain. Both are fountains. Hmmmm. Season for fountain renewal?

March 27, '09 - It has occurred to me that this is a piece of public art, and hence, not owned by the Art Institute. Why then is it being trashed by their construction crews?

May 25, 2009

Hurrah!! It's up and working. Last Wednesday, May 20, I went to the Art Institute, and ( I thought) on the off chance the fountain is working and cleaned up, I took my camera. And LO and Behold! it was. Will wonders never cease?

Unfortunately, since all this time has elapsed, I have lost or thrown away my notes, although I'm sure I could google it. I do remember that the granite used to construct these two pieces is something like two or three million years old. Is Noguchi trying to say something about the endurance of our nation? It was erected in 1975 and looks like it was done yesterday, water cascading down from both the tall piece and the long, log-like piece. It is right at the east door of the Art Institute. It's OK, but I think it needs more land around it to fully appreciate it. It backs right up to the east windows of the AI, and is reflected in them. Again, his purpose?

















Here you can see the log part reflected in the windows. The pictures do not show too well the water flowing, but it is. And see how the obelisk mirrors the building behind it?