Amazing Art & Architecture #AtoZChallenge
As in years past, this month I’m participating in the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge. 2016 marks my fifth anniversary, so to celebrate, I’m hosting Friday Blog-Ins here in San Diego; you can find out more info about where we’re meeting each week on my A to Z Challenge page. My monthly theme is Chicago From A to Z, so stay tuned from Monday to Saturday for new posts on the Windy City. Or sign up for my mailing list (delivered weekly, on Fridays) so you don’t miss a thing!
A is for Art & Architecture
Chicago is well known around the world for its art and architecture.
Just look at that skyline:
Some of my favorite buildings are in Chicago, like the Sears Tower (sorry, but I will never refer to this one as the “Willis Tower”!) at 233 S. Wacker Drive:
And the Marina City “corncobs” (300-350 N. State St., 315-339 N. Dearborn St.):
As well as the unusually shaped Crain Communications Building (150 N. Michigan Ave.), formerly known as the Smurfit-Stone Building, which you can see here on the far right. You may remember this one from the movie Adventures in Babysitting (or, more recently, Transformers: Dark of the Moon):
And I haven’t even mentioned some of Chicago’s most beloved architects yet, like Frank Lloyd Wright, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Jeanne Gang and Frank Gehry!
With buildings so unusual and easily recognized by their outlines, it’s clear that Chicago is a city that cares about its architecture. So it’s probably no surprise that there have been many articles written about the Top 10 (or 50!) buildings you should visit in the city, as well as plenty of architectural tours conducted for curious visitors.
Indeed, Chicago just seems to have artistic expression built into its soul. There are murals and public art pieces by famous painters, sculptors and mixed media artists spread across the city, adding to that uniquely Chicago experience.
Here are just a few of the famous artworks you can see – for free – in the city of Chicago.
Marc Chagall’s “The Four Seasons” mosaic (10 S. Dearborn St., Chase Tower):
Alexander Calder’s “Flamingo” (50 W. Adams St.):
Picasso‘s untitled sculpture – initially despised, presently beloved (Daley Plaza, 50 W. Washington St.):
Jean Dubuffet’s “Monument With Standing Beast” (James R. Thompson Center Plaza, 100 W. Randolph St.):
Jaume Plensa’s “The Crown Fountain” (Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph St.):
Your turn!
What’s your favorite art installation or architectural style in the city of Chicago?
Additional Resources
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- The Art Institute of Chicago – voted #1 Museum in the World!
- Chicago Architecture Foundation and their Buildings of Chicago database
- Chicagoist: 12 Best Buildings and Skyscrapers in Chicago
- City of Chicago: Public Art Guide (PDF)
- Virginia Duran: 23 Buildings You Shouldn’t Miss in Chicago If You Are An Architect [EDIT!] and grab her free Architecture Guide to the city, too (printable PDF and map)
- Time Out Chicago: 50 Most Beautiful Buildings in Chicago (and the 15 Ugliest Buildings… although there’s no accompanying text to explain what’s going on in some of these pix)
- Wikipedia entry: Architecture of Chicago
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Giveaway: San Diego from A to Z
Want to read the book I wrote last April, based on my A to Z posts about San Diego? I’m giving away two paperback copies of San Diego From A to Z over at Goodreads, so click here and enter to win!
Goodreads Book Giveaway
San Diego from A to Z
by Laura Roberts
Giveaway ends April 30, 2016.
See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.
17 Comments
Virginia Duran
Great article! Thanks for the ping :)
You may want to check my free architecture guide (PDF) with the complete list of all the buildings and cool spots to photograph https://duranvirginia.wordpress.com/2012/10/18/architecture-planning-a-trip-to-chicago/
Amy Putkonen
I love the bean and the spitting woman. I love Chicago!!!
Laura Roberts
Thanks for the link, Virginia! I was searching for that guide, but I got lost in your other posts and forgot to link it up. :D
Laura Roberts
The spitting woman fountain is fun, because it uses different faces throughout the day, so you get to see the diversity in the city’s populace, too. Thanks for visiting, Amy!
Stepheny Houghtlin
Glad I found you again after the theme reveal day. I grew up in Evanston, IL. and Chicago/Gold Coast Area is partial setting of a second novel published last April. You will understand the title, Facing East. Looking forward to FOLLOWING you through Chicago this month. A great theme choice meant for me. If you have time, come and see me. I write about the Edgewater Beach Hotel under the letter H. (You have to read it to understand) Your blog is great, easy to read, not too cluttered. I’m on board.
Laura Roberts
Welcome back, Stepheny! I will have to check out your novel once the A to Z Challenge is over. I got a huge stack of Chicago books (some fiction, most nonfictional) from my local library, so I will probably be poring over those throughout April. :D
NameJazzFeathers
Loved this article. Chicago is really a unique place. Those first few pics are fantastic!
@JazzFeathers
The Old Shelter – Jazz Age Jazz
Monique
Chicago is very high on my list of American cities I need to visit but I had no idea there were so many incredibly artistic building and sculptures to enjoy. Thank you so much for sharing! I wrote about artwork today and now I want to go back and include a whole new chapter on the beauty and art in architecture!
I’m glad I found your site through the challenge and I look forward to the rest of your daily posts!
Brendan
When I think of art in Chicago, I always think of Nighthawks, which is at the Art Institute of Chicago. But of the ones you posted here, the spitting mouth is my favorite.
wildchild47
This is a great article. Never been to Chicago and can’t see it happening in my future, but armchair traveling, despite its limitations, at least can fuel the dreams, and open the doors to seeing new aspects of the world.
Clearly, there is quite a bit to consider – such an interesting skyline – and truly, world famous architects – coupled with such incredible art installations – and wow – how cool is that mural fountain?! Awesome.
Great start to the A-Z 2016 – but clearly, you are well versed in the challenge – congrats on your anniversary and good luck this year :)
BellyBytes
Sigh! Your post brought back memories of a brief but memorable visit to your lovely city particularly the Sears Tower- We went there specially to meet P, a sister-in-law to be and can’t remember anything about the tower save the wonderful time we had with P!
Random Musings
I love the Chicago skyline and it was really interesting finding out more about some of the buildings
Debbie
Chase
Chicago is great! The bean was my favourite when I visited, but I did love the corn-cob buildings too. Those photos were lovely!
Ruth
Interesting post, looking forward to learning more about your city.
Chris V.
Great views. Grew up in Chicago, too bad it’s so messed up now. Thanks for stopping by the blog for A to Z! http://candidcanine.blogspot.com and http://girlzombieatuthors.blogspot.com Author: GIRL Z: My Life as a Teenage Zombie and something new coming soon!
Debs Carey
Love the corncob buildings and the Chagall! Looking forward to the rest of your series on this city I know not at all.
Debs Carey
@debscaringcoach
http://www.bunnyandthebloke.com
http://www.caringcoaching.co.uk
Dee
The Crown Fountain looks really cool!
And I like those corncobs buildings – cute!