Millenium Park in Chicago

[Karl-G]

If you have not yet seen Millenium Park in Chicago, it is worth a special trip. It opened just two months ago. Planning began in 1997 and the park was supposed to be finished for the millenium in 2000, but new ideas were frequently added and more sponsors got on board. Today it is one of the great examples of urban planning and city parks in the world. It has 25 acres, which are built on top of railroad tracks, although you would never know it to look at it. The park can be entered from Michigan Avenue or from the lakefront via the BP Bridge, a wonderful serpentine structure by Frank Gehry. Gehry also designed the Pritzker Pavilion, where the Chicago Symphony gives free concerts all summer. The sound is excellent for the 4000 people on permanent seats by the stage and also the 7000 people on the lawn. The "Cloud Gate" sculpture by British sculptor Anish Kapoor is made of stainless steel, sits 33x66 feet in length, and reflects the magnificent skyline of Chicago skyscrapers. The Chase Promenade is a beautiful area with flowers for temporary art exhibits. The Crown Fountain, by Jaume Plensa, is already enormously popular with kids and their parents. It consists of two towers of glass brick 50 feet high. Inside projectors create images of peoples' faces on the side, and once every fifteen minutes jets of water come out of their mouths, and a minute later, huge cascades of water run down all four sides. Kids play in the very shallow reflecting pool, and the water runs down small slits along the side. The Wrigley Peristyle and Plaza recreate an original area of 1917, and the Lurie Gardens are beginning to develop. You can also rent bikes here and cycle along the 18 miles of Chicago lakefront; while the Harris Theater provides seating for 1400 for chamber concerts, plays, and ballets. There is an area for ice skating in the winter, and during the summer it serves as the location of three restaurants and buffets, where you can enjoy lunch, a dessert, or just drinks. You can park in the underground garage on Monroe Street beneath the park for $12 for five hours, or ride the subway from any place in Chicago and get off at Randolph Street or Monroe Street and walk two blocks east. You can click on the address below to see photos taken a few days ago; you can enlarge any image by clicking on it.

 

http://imageevent.com/nadar/milleniumparkchicago

[tedbear]

It has 25 acres, which are built on top of

>railroad tracks, although you would never know it to look at

>it.

 

 

In case some are confused by "built on top of railroad tracks," it might be clearer to say "built above railroad tracks." The tracks still are in use several stories beneath the park.

 

And yes, it's an incredible world-class place. You just can't describe how wonderful it is. I have a slight view of some of the park from my office and I often gaze out at it just to enjoy a moment of the beauty. There are always people to been seen out enjoying the new addition to the city's "front yard".

[+ deej]

Sounds like a typical construction project in Chicago: years late and way over budget. :7

 

Actually, I can't wait to get back there and see it. Those pictures are awesome.

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

Frank Gehry is amazing~

 

I fear however that his designs will go too commercial (too quickly) and he will go the way of Dale Chihuly (overpriced and, now, sub-par quality), who's become somewhat of a celeb outside of the art world. In the unwise tradition of canvas artists Thomas Kincade and Lassen, overproducing will lead to saturation, eventually killing your market and ultimately pissing your target audience off.

 

Just look at how many Kincade galleries have closed in the past year or so. It's insane... and sad.

 

Gehry's design tools mainly include fighter jet drafting programs and it's simply amazing to watch him come up with such gravity defying illusions. I would have to say that seeing the new Disney Orchestra Hall in-person gave me new perspective into Gehry's artistic genius. It's jaw-dropping. It's also a design that instills complete calm in the viewer. Asthetically, IMO it's the architectural equivilent to The Mona Lisa. I think it will always be his masterpiece.

 

Gehry makes his fellow Torontonians proud If you're up for some real fun, take a gander at Toronto's MoMa and his new exhibit on display. A nice recap of his days when he wasn't so well known.

 

 

Warmest Always,

 

 

 

Benjamin Nicholas

[Guest zipperzone]

>Just look at how many Kincade galleries have closed in the

>past year or so. It's insane... and sad.

 

Sorry Ben but I disagree.

 

There is nothing sad about a Kincade gallery close - quite the contrary, it is a cause for rejoicing. IMHO they should all be closed by Imperial Decree. His painting represents the worst drecht possible and are looked upon by knowledgable art connoisseurs as pure kitch!

 

But then there is no accounting for taste.

[Guest rohale]

You wrote a really nice piece on the Millenium Park in Chicago. Some interesting names that you mention. I'm planning on spending a weekend in late October in the windy city and one of my desires will be to visit the Millenium Park. I've seen rough cuts online over the last few years. I've had a chance to talk to three artists and most weren't too sure what the end result would be. Most critics are quite happy with the outlook of the park. I'm quite anxious to visit the park and maybe take a few pics for recreational reasoning. Frank Gehry has done some wonderful work over the years. I understand the Spanish Government is trying to require his services for 2006 to help design two museums. I've wanted to meet Mr Gehry for many years and just talk about nothing but designs. Anish Kapoor was also mentioned in the thread. Over the last few years, I've become a big of Anish. In a way there is an irony to Anish. In 1998, when the British Government announced the construction of the Millenium Dome. It was considered very unpopular from the very get go of matters in the eyes of the British public. Anish Kapoor politely turned down the opportunity to work on the Dome designs. I know Anish Kapoor and Peter Gabriel have literally torn to shreds the end product of the dome. Mainly because of lack of funding. They really could have done a much better job in terms of the Millenium Dome. I read recently that Anish maybe doing some work in Kew Gardens in Britain. They are in the thinking stages of updating the botanical gardens and trying to give it a more modern look. I hope Anish succeeds in this venture. As for Anish's work in Chicago, I'm really looking forward to seeing the work of a major talent. It should be an interesting site to see.

 

Rohale