Amazing Art & Architecture #AtoZChallenge

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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:

“Chicago” image by Flickr user James Willamore

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:

“Sears Tower – BP Balcony” image by Flickr user – EMR –

And the Marina City “corncobs” (300-350 N. State St., 315-339 N. Dearborn St.):

“Marina City” image by Flickr user vonderauvisuals

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):

“Goodnight Bean” image via Flickr user Shutter Fotos

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):

“Chicago – Chagall’s Four Seasons” image by Flickr user Wally Gobetz

Alexander Calder’s “Flamingo” (50 W. Adams St.):

“Flamingo Sculpture ~ Alexander Calder ~ 1974” via Flickr user Onasill ~ Bill Badzo

Picasso‘s untitled sculpture – initially despised, presently beloved (Daley Plaza, 50 W. Washington St.):

“The Chicago Picasso” image via Flickr user Sharon Mollerus

Jean Dubuffet’s “Monument With Standing Beast” (James R. Thompson Center Plaza, 100 W. Randolph St.):

“Monument With Standing Beast” image via Flickr user Fuzzy Gerdes

Jaume Plensa’s “The Crown Fountain” (Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph St.):

“Spit take” image via Flickr user Darwin Bell

Your turn!

What’s your favorite art installation or architectural style in the city of Chicago?

Additional Resources

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

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