CHICAGO PUBLIC ART # 22 - READING CONES- 1988

Made by Richard Serra, a minimalist artist, and it shows. Situated about a block east of the east entrance to The Art Institute. On the south side of Monroe. And on the day I was there, in a rather bleak, barren landscape, which may be what the artist intended.
When I came upon these it was like "what the?" If this is art, for once it totally escapes me. But then I am no fan of minimalism. And I would dearly like to know if this form of art will still be around in 100 years or so.

Artner - "The greatest living sculptor in the United States contributes two arcs of steel perfectly conceived in relation to the human body [?] and cannily set in a blunt, dramatic relationship with land and sky."

Honestly, Mr. Artner would have to stand with me in front of those two pieces and explain all that, for I have no clue what he means. Yes, I can see that they are two arcs, but that's about all. Maaaybe a blunt dramatic relationship with land and sky, but human body? How? I simply cannot see it.
The steel is horribly rusted, and I'm not in love with rusted steel either. Although one site I did read says it is very difficult to bend steel into those shapes and at least the art should be appreciated for this technical skill. No. If a cook knows all about the ways of cooking and expertly fixes a meal that tastes terrible, I'm supposed to appreciate the art of cooking it. I think not. A filmmaker may know all about lighting, and photography, and editing, and have assembled a great cast, but if he cannot direct a story that involves us, what's the point?

And although I roamed all around the site, I could find not hide nor hair of any plaque or sign attributing this to Mr. Serra.
The reason it is called "Reading Cones" is because the steel was forged in Reading, Pennsylvania.

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?

PUBLIC ART IN CHICAGO #7 - CLARENCE BUCKINGHAM MEMORIAL FOUNTAIN

Unfortunately, this one will have to wait til next April (and I'll believe that when I see it).
Buckingham Fountain, which is currently walled off due to the $25 million restoration.
So - see you next year for that one.

Next year - 2009 - April

Lo and behold, it did open in April! Will wonders never cease. Although they said that repairs aren't finished yet, but that they will start up again in the fall. Nice of them to open it for the summer.
On a simply magnificent April Saturday, a friend and I went down to see it. And glorious to behold it was. They have replaced all that troublesome pink pebbly stuff with some spiffy pink stones that allow water to drain down between them. Much easier for strollers and wheelchairs and feet. And it just looks great.

Done in 1927 in Grant Park at Columbus Drive and Congress Parkway. When you drive, and cross Michigan going east, you basically end at the fountain, there having to turn north or south. A wonderful view.

Artner: "The four great sea horses symbolize the states that border on Lake Michigan in a fountain twice the size as the one it was modeled after in the gardens of Versailles." I wish I had known this when I was there; I would surely have looked for it. Drat.

Because the day was so splendid I took simply zillions of pictures and now I have to triage which ones to show you. The huge water spout goes off every hour on the hour and lasts for 15 minutes. Don't miss it. And don't miss seeing this fountain close-up, period. I love it.

It is called the Buckingham Fountain because it was funded by the wife of Clarence Buckingham. The sculptor was Marcel Francois Loyau. Did he do the one in Versailles and someone just copied it? I am unsure.

But none of these can compare to the actual experience of being there. Do It!












It looks like I have a filter on my camera, but the sky really was that blue.