Miro's Chicago (1981) - by Joan Miro

Miro's Chicago - by Joan Miro

Originally known as The Sun, The Moon and One Star

 Designed: 1963 / Unveiled: 1981..

 Description: Steel, wire mesh, concrete, bronze and ceramic tile .. 

Height: 39 ft. 

Location: Brunswick Building Plaza.. 

Cook County Administration Building, 69 W. Washington St., Chicago

In 1969 the Burnswick Corporation commissioned a design from Miro for this sculpture. But they decided not to proceed for cost reasons. In 1979, the first female Mayor of Chicago Jane Byrne agreed to find fund for the sculpture assuming the other 50% would come from elsewhere. Several institutions, foundations and individuals donated to the city. The city of Chicago contributed $250,000 and majority funding came from other donors.

 This was initially called "The Sun, the Moon and One Star" and later renamed Miró's Chicago .. From the City of Chicago's, Public Art Program website.. The playfully poetic images of Joan Miró’s art comprise a private mythology derived from the artist’s memories of his homeland in Catalonia, Spain. Using his unique visual symbolism, Miró imbued this sculpture with the mystical presence of an earth deity, both cosmic and worldly. Shapes and forms found in this composition evoke celestial imagery and common objects. The bell-shaped base draws the viewer’s gaze downward, symbolizing Miró’s association of the female form with the earth. The sphere at center represents the moon while the shape of the face is derived from that of a ceramic hook. The fork projecting from the top of the head is symbolic of a star, with individual tines representing rays of light...

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The maquette for Miro's Chicago at the Art Institute of Chicago.

For a better understanding of Miro's style, check out some of his paintings at the Art In

stitute of Chicago.. click here... 

RELATED LINKS:

 # Another Look, Joan Miro...

# Daley Plaza: Untitled [called Picasso]- by Pablo Picasso... 

# Maquette for Miro's Chicago [at The Art Institute of Chicago]