The Nichols Bridgeway

A view of the Modern Wing of the Art Institute of Chicago from the Millennium Park .. These two major tourist attractions have a heavy-traffic street inbetween, the Monroe Street .. and it's only logical that a pedestrian bridgeway connects them ... and the answer to a seamless transition from the Millennium Park to the Art Institute is the Nicholas Bridgeway ...
This pedestrian bridge opened May 16, 2009 ..



The Nicholas Bridgeway crossing over the Monroe Street ...



A view of the Nicholas Bridgeway from the Modern Wing [of the Art Institute of Chicago] .. as it runs over the Monroe Street and the Millennium Park is in the background ...



The beginning of the pedestrian Nicholas Bridgeway ...

The Nicholas Bridgeway ...
This pedestrian bridge begins at the Great Lawn of Millennium Park, crosses over Monroe Street and connects to the third floor of the Modern Wing, the Art Institute of Chicago.
The bridge opened May 16, 2009.
Architect: Renzo Piano ..
Description: approximately 620 ft long and 15 ft wide.





The bridge leads to a cafe with outdoor seating arrangements overlooking the park.

Public Art at the Art Institute of Chicago

The Art Institute of Chicago is a treasure trove of world renowned paintings and sculptures .... and although whats inside of the building won't qualify as being "public" art ... what's outside of the building does ...
Here's some outstanding pieces of public art at the Art Institute:

# The Entrance ... click here ...
"The Lions" - by Edward Kemeys ..
# The South Garden .. click here ...
"The Fountain of the Great Lakes" - by Lorado Taft ..
# The North Garden ... click here ...
It has three pieces of sculptures:
"Large Interior Form" by Henry Moore ..
"Cubi VII" by David Smith ..
" Flying Dragon" by Alexander Calder ...
# The Pritzker Garden ... click here ...
"White Curve" by Ellsworth Kelly ..
# The Nicholas Bridgeway ... click here ...
A pedestrian bridgeway between Millennium park and the Modern Wing of the Art Institute of Chicago ... Architect: Renzo Piano
# The Garden Cafe .. click here ...
I'm taking some liberties in putting putting this founatin as a part of "public art" ...
"Fountain of the Tritons" by Carl Mille ..



The Lions ..
Sculptor: Edward Kemeys
Description: 1894, Bronze
Gift of Mrs. Henry Field to The Art Institute of Chicago
Location: The Art Institute of Chicago ..



Larger than life-size, the lions are realistically depicted, but have inspired more affection than fear over the years. Their poses are similar although not identical; one is “on the prowl” and the other “stands in an attitude of defiance.”

These lions are prepped-up for different occasions ... like wearing decorations at Christmas times or the Bears helmet to support the team ... You can see these photos .. click here ...

The Pritzker Garden [at the Art Institute of Chicago - Modern Wing]

The Margot and Thomas Pritzker Garden ..
Named for long-time and generous supporters of the Art Institute.

The garden features the "White Curve" by Ellsworth Kelly ..
It's the largest work Kelly has made to date and is in the Art Institute’s new Modern Wing ...

Fountain of the Tritons

Fountain of the Tritons ..
Sculptor: Carl Mille ..
Location: Garden Restaurant at the Art Institute of Chicago ...

Although this amazing fountain might not qualify as "public" art, however since I'm on the subject of the Art Institute of Chicago, I thought I might add this. The Garden Cafe at the Art Institute is simply beautiful!!!!

I'm quite impressed by Carl Mille's works ... Here's a website I found that gives an insight into his works ... "Millesgarden" .. click here ..

Fountain of the Great Lakes [South Garden - Art Institute of Chicago]

Fountain of the Great Lakes ..
Sculptor: Lorado Taft ..
Bronze work created between 1907-1913.
Location: South Garden of the Art Institute of Chicago ...

As the name "Fountain of Great Lakes" suggests, this fountain represents the five great lakes .. The five women are so arranged that the water flows through them in the same way water passes through the Great Lakes. 'Superior' is on the top and 'Michigan' on the side both empty into the basin of 'Huron' who sends the stream to 'Erie' whereas 'Ontario' receives the water and gazes off as it flows into the ocean ..

The fountain is Taft's response to Daniel Burnham's complaint at the Columbian Exposition in 1893 that the sculptors charged with ornamenting the fairgrounds failed to produce anything that represented the great natural resources of the west, especially the Great Lakes. The fountain depicts five women that represent the five Great Lakes ... and the water flows through them in the same way water passes through the Great Lakes.

The sculptor Lorado Taft was an instructor at the School of the Art Institute for several years.

The garden surrounding the fountain was designed by the Office of Dan Kiley, who was a renowned late 20th Century landscape artist.

The North Garden [ of the Art Institute of Chicago]

Large Interior Form ...

Sculptor: Henry Moore [British 1898-1986]

Description: 1983 .. Bronze ... H-16.5f ..

For more on the "Large Interior Form" .. click here ...





Cubi VII ..
Sculptor: David Smith ....
In the Art Institute of Chicago North Garden in the Loop. It is stainless steel work of art created in 1963. This is part of a Roman numeral series of stainless steel works housed around the world.





Flying Dragon
Sculptor: Alexander Calder..
Description: 1975 ... Painted steel plate ..
Location: North Garden, The Art Institute of Chicago..

The North garden is also called the Stanley McCormick Memorial Court ...

San Marco II

San Marco II ..
Sculptor: Ludovico De Luigi ..
Description: 1986, Bronze, H 9 ft.
Purchased by Financial Place Corporation ..
Location: One Financial Place Plaza,
440 S. LaSalle St ..

De Luigi conveyed a sense of motion by capturing the horse in mid-stride. Deeply incised lines emphasize the animal’s musculature, implying great power and virility.

The inspiration for Ludovico de Luigi’s San Marco II came from a set of 11th century sculptures of four horses that grace the facade of St. Mark’s Basilica on the Piazza San Marco in Venice, Italy. By adding idealized characteristics, the artist illustrates the historic association of horses with strength and progress.

REF: Ludovico De Luigi [San Marco II]..