OK, strictly speaking the title is not accurate, but I couldn’t resist. Babs Young spent the weekend in Chicago cheering on her niece Cyndi, who ran a marathon and did very well. Babs herself did a lot of walking and exploring and picture-taking. She writes: Chicago is on Lake Michigan so I think Chicago counts for a picture. It’s a great city with extraordinary Public Art. I love Public Art. This is Crown Fountain in Millennium Park.
Now that is not something you see every day, especially in Antrim County. Babs provided explanatory links from Explore Chicago. It turns out that the face is one of 1,000 portraits of Chicagoans that take turns on two giant LED screens overlooking a reflecting pool. The artist, Jaume Plensa, was making “a reference to the traditional use of gargoyles in fountains, where faces of mythological beings were sculpted with open mouths to allow water, a symbol of life, to flow out.” This is why “water flow[s] through an outlet in the screen to give the illusion of water spouting from their mouths.”
Mind you, I like the fountain. I would like to go see it for myself. I am just glad that Plensa did not wish to make a reference to the traditional use of little male cherubs.
I’ll just tiptoe away on little cat feet, shall I?
Torch Lake Views 
P.j. grath
October 10, 2012
Well, that’s…different. Reminds me how long it’s been since I’ve been to that toddlin’ town.
Gerry
October 10, 2012
It’s been awhile for me, too. I love Chicago. (I am a City Mouse and a Country Mouse all rolled into one. Explains my rotund self.)
Pat Stites
October 10, 2012
No picture of the “Bean”?? I have read many of the reasons(excuses) for the thing, but have yet to understand any of them. 🙂
When they have the fountain turned on all the way, (water shoots out of the persons mouth), I have seen every age playing in the pool. Think it was a might cool this day. 🙂
Almost time for us snow birds to depart. So wonderful to be able to come here and get a piece of home. Thanks so much, Lady!!
Gerry
October 10, 2012
We have had pictures of the Bean! I love the Bean! I think the whole point of Public Art is that the The Public gets to explore it, debate it, and decide whether it is beloved or disregarded. Consider The Bear in Elk Rapids. It is beloved. It is a little scruffy, and a good deal of the story is completely unknown to the people who pat it as they go by, but it is beloved. (Now I will hear from half a dozen people who think it should be retired. 🙂 )
P.S. Thank you for dropping in, and for the kind words.
Martha J
October 10, 2012
OK, I will bite. What IS the complete story on the bear in Elk Rapids? I love it but have no idea why it is there.
Gerry
October 10, 2012
Well. I was sure I had written about this before and was going to give you a link – but I can’t find such a post. So I will write one. Stay tuned.
shoreacres
October 11, 2012
Ah. I started with the bear and worked backwards. Now I see even such delightful public art as the bear can be subject for – “discussion”.
I love The Bean, too, but this fountain is a little unnerving. I suppose there’s nothing wrong with being unnerved, but…. I’d love to see the entire gallery of photos. I wonder if the whole scope of Chicago’s population is represented? Surely the answer’s “yes”.
Gerry
October 11, 2012
I gather that the gallery is diverse and comprehensive. I’d like to see the fountain for myself. I think the spouting part only runs during the summer–and it is definitely not summer in Chicago now. Maybe I’ll go next year.