In honor of Frank Gehry’s 86th birthday on February 28, we thought we would take a look at our beautiful Millennium Park in Chicago. A breathtaking architectural space set within 25 acres of awe-inspiring landscape, the park enjoys between 3 and 4 million visitors each year, and just enjoyed its 10th anniversary in 2014.
Image courtesy of TechZulu.
The sculptural form of the Gehry-designed Pritzker Pavilion serves as a perfect counterpoint to the rigidity of the Aon Center. Grant Park has strict height requirements for buildings due to Aaron Montgomery Ward’s multiple lawsuits against buildings in Grant Park in the 1890’s. Pritzker Pavilion and Crown Fountain avoided these restrictions because they are “Works of Art” rather than buildings. The pavilion hosts wonderful concerts in the summer, celebrating Chicago’s outstanding performing arts.
Image courtesy of Suzanne Lovell, Inc.
The BP Bridge was the first bridge ever designed by Gehry. The serpentine bridge connects Millennium Park to Maggie Daley Park.
Image courtesy of Design You Trust.
Along side of Gehry’s Pavilion, Indian sculptor, Anish Kapoor created the “Bean” sculpture, titled Cloud Gate in 2006. Kapoor beat out Jeff Koons and 28 other artists to contribute to the park. The “Bean” reflects and distorts the city skyline when it’s not covered in snow (as it has been recently!)
Image courtesy of CBS Local, Credit: Chris Martinez, 2/1/15.
Jaume Plensa, a Spanish conceptual artist heralded primarily for his large outdoor sculptures of figures and faces, designed Crown Fountain. The fountains use LEDs to show faces of thousands of Chicagoans and emit water out of their “mouths” at regular intervals.
Image courtesy of The City of Chicago.
Star Architect Renzo Piano added his touch to Millennium Park by connecting his Modern Wing of the Art Institute of Chicago Museum with the park via the Nichols Bridgeway.
Image courtesy of Panoramio.
Through these images it is clear that Millennium Park is worth celebrating. After ten years it is still a vibrant and lively center of culture in Chicago, largely due to Frank Gehry’s outstanding architectural contributions.
