All in Architecture

Reenacting the Picasso Unveiling

Reenacting the Picasso Unveiling

Jack Siegel
Architecture, Chicago, Chicago Tourism, Street, Things to Do in Chicago, Urban Landscapes

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Today, the City's Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events held a reenactment of the August 15, 1967 unveiling of the Picasso statue that sits in Daley Plaza.  Although a major tourist attraction, as well is should be, Anish Kapoor's Cloud Gate has usurped the Picasso's stature with city residents and visitors.  Personally, I prefer the Picasso, which includes many classic Picasso motifs folded into its Cor-Ten steel outline and shapes.    
 

London House Noir

London House Noir

Jack Siegel
Architecture, Chicago, Jazz, Urban Landscapes

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This photograph was shot from the third floor outdoor bar at the Chicago Loews Hotel in Streeterville, looking southwest to the famed London Guarantee & Accident Building on the south shore of the Chicago River at the intersection of Michigan and Wacker.  The bar, dubbed Streeterville Social, is a nice place to hang on a warm summer night.  We visited it after seeing Kathryn Bigelow's outstanding film, Detroit, at the nearby cineplex.  We were seated on a coach under a large umbrella.  The corn, pepper and mushroom flatbread, mussels, and watermelon feta salad were all excellent, as was the margarita.     

Reflected Riverscape

Reflected Riverscape

Jack Siegel
Chicago, Architecture, Urban Landscapes, Windows

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Sometimes your best shot is behind you, which was the case today (and maybe everyday in the case of this location).  Standing at the foot of glass tower, I looked up, discovering the reflective qualities of its skin.  The partitioned mirrors serve to compress the six blocks of riverscape to the east.  Even better, the mirrors create wavy distortion.  A great take on the riverscape.

Exiting the South Loop

Exiting the South Loop

Jack Siegel
Architecture, Chicago, Urban Landscapes

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The South Loop used to be a rather desolate place, but Columbia College, DePaul University, Roosevelt University, and Jones College Prep have changed brighten the area.  With all those students, there is plenty of cheap eats and urban funk.  There is even a hostel, offering cheap and clean rooms--J. Ira & Nicki Harris Family Hotel, which is also known as Hi Chicago.

Photographer's Note.  I didn't have my technical camera with me, so convergence was an issue.  Fortunately I had a rather long lens (110mm).  I find that convergence becomes less of a problem when using longer lens.

Washington Square Park

Washington Square Park

Jack Siegel
Architecture, Chicago, Flowers, Things to Do in Chicago, Urban Landscapes

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The 3-acre Washington Square Park sits just south of the Newberry Library.  The American Land Development Company donated the land to the City of Chicago in 1842 for a public park.  It hoped to make the area more attractive for high-end residential development.  While its intentions were good, the Company probably never envisioned that the park would be a center for boisterous vocal debate, attracting what today might be described as left-wingers and Occupy Wall Street types.  The resulting racket probably was not the first preference of local residents.

150 Riverside Plaza

150 Riverside Plaza

Jack Siegel
Architecture, Chicago, Urban Landscapes

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150 North Riverside Plaza opened for occupancy earlier this year.  It sits above the Amtrak rail lines feeding into Chicago's Union Station.  The building is a visual delight, perched on single leg, with the east and west sides moving out on the diagonal, and then jutting straight up.  Will it tip?

Over the River

Over the River

Jack Siegel
Architecture, Chicago, Street, Urban Landscapes

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Photographers always find new opportunities whenever a new building is completed.  150 North Riverside Plaza provides many opportunities given the elevated public space in back of the building and the promenade running along the Chicago River.  Once it opens, the Starbucks may also offer some interesting opportunities, but that will depend on the depth of the outlet.  

Conversing on the Plaza

Conversing on the Plaza

Jack Siegel
Architecture, Chicago, Street, Urban Landscapes

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Last year at this time, the building under construction at 150 North Riverside Plaza had not yet topped out.  The plaza abutting the Chicago River was filled with building materials and construction equipment, with steel and glass being hoisted  by a crane.  I have photographs to prove it.  

Dubuffet Sculpture

Dubuffet Sculpture

Jack Siegel
Architecture, Chicago, Chicago Tourism, Things to Do in Chicago, Urban Landscapes

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Helmut Jahn's State of Illinois Building is in a state of disrepair. Chicago Tribune architectural columnist Blair Kamin points to rusted columns, chipped paint, and duct tape holding faded carpets together.  There is also the smell of fast food grease wafting through the atrium from the food court on the lower level.  All of this mirrors the State of Illinois' budget crisis, which will continue to plague the state despite the band-aid tax increase signed into law ten days ago by Governor Bruce Rauner.

Unfortunately, but appropriately, Jean Dubuffet's Monument with Standing Beast, which is located at the building's  southeast corner, is in similar disrepair.  The 10-ton sculpture has faded in parts from white to cigarette-finger yellow.  It appears to be chipped, with parts of it covered in graffiti, which serves as another example of why we can't have nice things.

Glass Dome

Glass Dome

Jack Siegel
Architecture, Chicago, Chicago Tourism, Things to Do in Chicago, Urban Landscapes

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I headed over to the Chicago Cultural Center today intent on photographing the Tiffany Glass dome that sits above the Preston Bradley Hall.  This is the dome that has the star power because it is believed to be the world's largest Tiffany dome.  At 11:00AM the light was perfect, with the sun not quite directly overhead.  Unfortunately, the hall was closed for an event--high school students.

Public Art

Public Art

Jack Siegel
Chicago, Architecture, Chicago Tourism, Demonstrations, Things to Do in Chicago, Urban Landscapes

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On Monday of this week, the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events installed a statue by Chicago artist Scott Reader across the river from the Trump Tower.  As is evident, the statue is simply the words "Real Fake" in gold lettering.  Quite appropriate for anything associated with President Donald J. Trump.

Henry Moore's Warning

Henry Moore's Warning

Jack Siegel
Architecture, Chicago, Chicago Tourism, Things to Do in Chicago, Urban Landscapes

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On December 2, 1942, Enrico Fermi established the first self-sustaining controlled nuclear reaction under the Stage Field Stadium located on the University of Chicago's Hyde Park campus.  The laboratory was a squash court, which is an appropriate given the speed and force that a squash ball ricochets off the walls of a court.  

Calatrava in Milwaukee

Calatrava in Milwaukee

Jack Siegel
Architecture, Urban Landscapes

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The weather on the drive from Chicago to Milwaukee today was pretty intense.  No precipitation.  Just large cumulus clouds hanging above.  As we got closer to Milwaukee, the clouds became more dense, losing their form and dimensionality, but after lunch the sun kept popping through, creating interesting light.  

Tribune Printing Plant

Tribune Printing Plant

Jack Siegel
Things to Do in Chicago, Chicago Tourism, Chicago, Architecture

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Several weeks ago, I received a notice that the Chicago Tribune was offering a two-hour tour of its Chicago Avenue printing and distribution plant, referred to as the Freedom Center.  My impression was that this was a one-time event, so I immediately purchased two $25 dollar tickets.  It turns out that the Tribune offers the tour nine times a year

Localized

Localized

Jack Siegel
Architecture, Chicago, Urban Landscapes

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Over the last several years, I have noticed an interesting phenomenon as I travel throughout the city:  Skyscrapers create their own micro climates.  Traveling south on Lake Shore Drive toward the John Hancock Center, I sometimes see fog drifting in that pretty much obscures the skyline, only to discover clear skies once I cross North Avenue heading south on LaSalle.

Hancock Center Garage

Hancock Center Garage

Jack Siegel
Architecture, Chicago, Urban Landscapes

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Everyone who visits Chicago inevitably sees the skyline, with the Willis Tower on the south end and the John Hancock Tower on the north end.  The Trump Tower is in the middle, as is the Amoco Building (now the Aon Center) .  What many don't see is the spiral drum immediately to the east of the Hancock Tower.  It is part of the ramp that leads to the parking garage on the lower floors of the Hancock.  It is made of concrete, and looks similar in shape to the Guggenheim Museum in New York City, although on further reflection, there are big differences.  

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