If you asked me to share a picture from my phone that summarizes Chicago, I would instantly show you one of the best public art in Chicago: The Chicago ‘Bean'(Cloud Gate).
It is an iconic sculpture that is part of a collection of other incredible public art pieces in Chicago. Public art in this city is so special to me because it is not limited to just downtown Chicago, but spread throughout all neighborhoods in Chicago. Each one, just as photo-worthy as the next.
Whether you’re searching for cool neighborhood gems or iconic landmarks, this guide highlights personal favorites and the most best public art pieces in Chicago that deserve a spot on your must-visit list.
What is the Chicago ‘Bean’
Lovingly called “The Chicago Bean, is a 110-ton elliptical sculpture forged of a seamless series of highly polished stainless steel plates, which reflect Chicago’s famous skyline and the clouds above. It’s formal name is The Cloud Gate Chicago and was sculpted by the British artist Anish Kapoor’s. It was his first public outdoor work installed in the United States, inviting visitors to touch its mirror-like surface and see its image reflected from a variety of perspectives.
Inspired by liquid mercury, the sculpture is among the largest of its kind in the world, measuring 66 feet long by 33 feet high. The sculpture sits on Grainger Plaza located in Millennium Park and has done so for over 17 years. It is by far the most popular attraction in Chicago if not all the Midwest.
Public Art in Downtown Chicago and Beyond
I come across public art in Chicago almost every day. However, some pieces continue to be my favorite. Here are seven unique public art pieces in Chicago that I enjoy seeing over and over again.
1. Agora Big Feet
1135 S Michigan Ave. | Grant Park
2. “The Picasso” (Untitled sculpture)
50 W. Washington St. | Daley Plaza
The Chicago Picasso was commissioned in 1963 by the architects of the Richard J. Daley Center to anchor the plaza on the east side of the building. Picasso worked on this commission for two years, combining and modifying sketches and motifs from some of his earlier works in the design of the sculpture. This resulted in a 42-inch tall Marquette, or model, of the sculpture. Both the Marquette and sketches of the sculpture can be seen at the Art Institute of Chicago.
3. Monument to the Great Northern Migration
345 E Eastgate Pl. | Bronzeville
Monument to the Great Northern Migration is a sculpture that serves as a welcome to the South Side and a historic reminder of thousands of African Americans who migrated from the South to Chicago. Crafted by Black, woman artist Alison Saar, the bronze figure is a testament that shows a traveler’s hand raised in salutation to his new home.
On the other hand, he carries a worn suitcase symbolic of his journey, dreams, and talents. The bollards surrounding the monument are also suitcases that are textured with a pattern derived from the tin ceilings of the era. The figure is oriented to the north, symbolizing the traveler’s destination.
4. Fountain of Time
6000 S Cottage Grove Ave. | Woodlawn
5. Crown Fountain
201 E Randolph St. | Millennium Park
Crown Fountain in Millennium Park consists of two 50-foot glass block towers at each end of a shallow reflecting pool. Designed by Spanish artist Jaume Plensa, the towers project video images from a broad social spectrum of Chicago citizens, a reference to the traditional use of gargoyles in fountains, where faces of mythological beings were sculpted with open mouths to allow water, a symbol of life, to flow out.
Haute Tip: The fountain’s water features operate during the year between mid-spring and mid-fall, while the images remain on view year-round. Plan your trip to Chicago during this time of the year and you’ll never miss out!
6. Monument with Standing Beast
100 W. Randolph St. | The Loop
Monument with Standing Beast is comprised of four elements that suggest a standing animal, a tree, a portal, and an architectural form. The unofficial, “Snoopy in a Blender” sculpture by artist Jean Dubuffet was described by the artists as a “drawing which extends…into space” and hoped it would resonate with the average person on the street. Monument with Standing Beast reflects Dubuffet’s career-long development of his own often brutal, urban style utilizing street language, graffiti, and caricature.
7. Marc Chagall’s Four Seasons
Composed of thousands of inlaid chips in over 250 colors, Marc Chagall’s mosaic artwork The Four Seasons portrays six scenes of Chicago. It features a vocabulary of images informed by the artist’s Russian-Jewish heritage and found in his Surrealist paintings like birds, fish, flowers, suns, and pairs of lovers. Chagall maintained, “The seasons represent human life, both physical and spiritual, at its different ages.”
Chagall continued to change his design after it arrived in the city, bringing up-to-date the areas containing the city’s skyline (last seen by the artist 30 years before installation) and adding pieces of native brick. You can view more work by this artist at the Art Institute of Chicago.
Things to Do Near Millennium Park
If you’re near Millennium Park, there are plenty of nearby attractions to make your art exploration even more exciting.
Check out the Art Institute of Chicago, one of the world’s greatest art museums, or take a stroll through Grant Park to visit the Buckingham Fountain.
If you’re looking for good food or drinks nearby the park, visit Cindy’s Rooftop for a great drink and fabulous view or Ascione Bistro for Italian food in a posh setting.
How to Enjoy More Public Art in Chicago
Beyond “The Bean”, there are plenty of public art to admire in downtown Chicago and beyond. Here are the best ways to enjoy.
- Go on a Chicago Street Art Hunt: Chicago’s street art scene is just as impressive as its traditional sculptures. Many of these artworks tell powerful cultural and historical stories, making them a must-see for art lovers
- Find Free Art in Your Neighborhood: For a rotating showcase of modern sculptures, check out the Chicago Sculpture Exhibit (CSE). This outdoor, citywide exhibition brings art into everyday spaces, with pieces displayed throughout different neighborhoods. The best part? It’s completely free to view, and many of the sculptures are available for purchase at the end of the exhibition.
- Explore the Chicago Public Art Collection: One of the best free things to do in Chicago is discovering the Chicago Public Art Collection, which features over 500 artworks in more than 150 locations citywide. This collection showcases work by renowned and emerging artists.
