Free Self-guided Tour of Chicago Loop's Public Art
Chicago's Loop neighborhood features eight of the most iconic outdoor sculptures in the country. Masterpieces by Picasso, Calder, and Kapoor sit within blocks of each other. Use this Chicago sculpture map to take a self-guided walking tour of downtown's premier public art. Start in the shadows of Nevelson, reflect under Kapoor's silver cloud and finish among the towering iron figures of Abakanowicz's enveloping "Agora."
8 FAMOUS SCULPTURES IN CHICAGO TO ADD TO YOUR ROUTE
"UNTITLED" by Pablo Picasso
Location: Richard J. Daley Plaza - 50 W. Washington St. at N. Dearborn St
The Story: Unveiled on August 15, 1967, this massive steel structure kickstarted Chicago’s public art boom. Today, it is not uncommon to see people sliding down the sculpture's base. Picasso never named the artwork, and refused to take a single penny for it, declaring it a pure gift to the people of Chicago.
"MIRO'S CHICAGO" by Juan Miro
Location: Brunswick Plaza - Washington Blvd, between Clark & Dearborn
The Story: Unveiled on April 20, 1981, originally called "The Sun, the Moon and One Star," this steel, wire mesh, and concrete figure stands 39 feet tall directly across the street from the Picasso. It echoes Miró's signature surrealist motifs of cosmic shapes and the female form.
"DAWN SHADOWS" by Louise Nevelson
Location: Madison Plaza - 200 W. Madison St at N.Wells St
The Story: Unveiled in 1983, this stark, black steel sculpture offers a striking geometric contrast to the glass skyscrapers around it. Nevelson specifically designed it to interact with the moving shadows cast by the surrounding buildings and the passing L trains throughout the day.
"FOUR SEASONS" by Marc Chagall
Location: Chase Tower Plaza - 10 S. Dearborn St at W. Madison St
The Story: Unveiled on September 27, 1974, this monumental, 70-foot-long rectangular mosaic box features thousands of inlaid glass and stone tiles in over 250 colors. Chagall's whimsical, dreamlike imagery depicts the changing seasons of human life alongside traditional Chicago imagery, celebrating the vitality of the city he loved.
"FLAMINGO" by Alexander Calder
Location: Federal Plaza - corner of N. Dearborn St and E. Adams St
The Story: Unveiled on October 25, 1974, and standing 53 feet tall, this massive steel sculpture introduces vibrant, looping curves in brilliant "Calder Red" to contrast with the sharp angles of the surrounding plazas and adjacent Mies van der Rohe dark steel federal buildings.
"CROWN FOUNTAIN" by Jaume Plensa
Location: Millennium Park - at S. Michigan Ave and E. Monroe St
The Story: Opened on July 16, 2004, this interactive work consists of two 50-foot glass LED towers facing each other across a black granite reflecting pool. The faces shown on the screens belong to 1,000 diverse Chicago residents, and the fountain intentionally references traditional architectural gargoyles by having water appear to spout directly from their open mouths.
"CLOUD GATE" by Anish Kapoor
Location: Millennium Park - at N.Michigan Ave and E. Madison St
The Story: Opened on May 15, 2006, and nicknamed "The Bean," this iconic 110-ton structure was inspired by liquid mercury. Its highly polished, seam-free stainless steel surface reflects and warps the entire Chicago skyline, creating an interactive experience where viewers see themselves and the city in an entirely new light.
"AGORA" by Magdalena Abakanowicz
Location: Grant Park - at S. Michigan Ave and E. Roosevelt Rd
The Story: Officially opened in November 2006, this installation comprises 106 nine-foot-tall, headless and armless figures cast from iron. Designed by the renowned Polish artist, the hollow torsos are frozen mid-stride, wandering in various directions. Named after the ancient Greek word for an urban meeting place, the monument invites viewers to walk among the crowd.
"MONUMENT WITH STANDING BEAST" by Jean Dubuffet
Location: Formerly at Thompson Center E. Randolph St and S. Clark St
The Story: Unveiled on November 28, 1984, and affectionately dubbed "Snoopy in a Blender" by locals, this 29-foot fiberglass structure is pure joy. It represents a tree, a portal, a beast, and an architectural structure. Note: The sculpture has been removed from the site, and will be on long term loan to The Art Institute - it's new location to be determined.
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