CHICAGO PUBLIC ART #21 - CHICAGO FUGUE - 1987

This one is in the lobby of the building at 190 South LaSalle Street, you can't miss it when you walk in. Done by Anthony Caro. Quoting Mr. Artner "An evocation of music very different [ yes indeed!] from Polasek's Thomas Memorial; this one, by Britain's leading living abstract sculptor, communicates not the general spirit of music [ as did the statue of the goddess Music] but something of one of its oldest constructions involving themes sounded in several parts or voices."
I am not that technically proficient in music to be able to comment on that. It does sound to me is if Artner is referencing the kind of songs sung in rounds, such as "Row,Row Your Boat". Although that is not old. But I could be totally wrong here. Whatever, I liked it. The Gregorian chants may be what he is talking about; I just don't know, and I don't think it matters. You like it or you don't, although certainly the more you know about a subject, the better you can appreciate it.

This is absolutely monumental in size. I'm sorry I don't have someone in the pictures to give you an idea, although the couch does help. There is a nice viewing area in front of it, with a 2 comfy sofas, chairs, coffee table. And a couple of chairs off to one side. There are guards at the doors, but as long as you are just staying in the lobby, it's fine.
One of the things I like about it is that it fits its space so perfectly. In looking at these pictures online, I notice that they really do not convey, in any sense, the power of this sculpture. You must see it. So if you are in the vicinity, please do drop in. It is well worth it.

CHICAGO PUBLIC ART - #11 - RADIANT ONE - 1957

Wow! We leap from 1930 all the way to 1957. I guess you can tell the Great Depression and World War II and the Korean dust-up might have repressed art somewhat, at least as far as city public art goes. This is the first indoor public art on the list.

Anyways - this one is a stunner. In the very small lobby of the Inland Steel Building at 30 West Monroe Street, corner of Monroe and Dearborn. Created by Richard Lippold. And kudos to him indeed.
Artner: "The earliest successful abstract sculpture on permanent display in the Loop uses metal rods and wires to create a shimmering play of light (enhanced by a reflecting pool) that now seems to embody the futuristic aspirations of the Space Age."

I cannot disagree with any of that. And what he doesn't mention is that the pool and surrounding lip are made of the very same material as the floor, some black and white speckled stuff. So that the whole thing just glides together.
I love this piece. It is very space age looking. Whatever that may mean. The pictures do not show the wires much at all. Sorry. There is a bench right in front of it, so if you want, you can sit and contemplate it's serene beauty, or just eat lunch on a cold day. I don't think the guard at the desk in the corner would mind.