A Giant Head Sculpture Will Look Down On Chicago This Summer

Above, digital rendering of the sculpture, courtesy of Carol Fox and Associates Public Relations

On July 16th, Chicago’s now-famous Millennium Park will turn ten years old—a major feat for a project that was delayed four years and cost almost four times as much as was originally expected. To celebrate one of the city’s finest public spaces, the park will host four major sculptural installations by renowned artist Jaume Plensa. Though undoubtedly a coincidence, the choice of unveiling four sculptures could be a very subtle (and tongue-in-cheek) commentary on the park’s history.

According to a press release, the public installation complements the interactive Crown Fountain sculpture Plensa built in 2004 that projects 1000 LED portraits of Chicago residents. The new work, in turn, is called 1004 Portraits, as the artworks features large-scale profiles of young women. The first, titled “Looking Into My Dreams, Awilda,” is a 39-foot-tall resin piece that towers over visitors as they enter one side of the park. The other three are iron sculptures titled “Laura,” “Paula,” and “Ines,” and each rest at just over 20 feet. 

“The work’s surreal and majestic presence bridges the frenetic energy and distractions of city life with the tranquility of the park,” explains the press release. “Magnificent in scale, the piece’s beauty, power and serenity encourage viewers to stop and experience a moment of quiet contemplation.”

The works will officially debut on June 18th, and will remain in the park through December 2015. 

For more on Plensa visit her website, and see a photo of Crown Fountain below:

Image via

Related: 

How Kara Walker Built A 75-Foot-Long Candy Sphinx In The Abandoned Domino Sugar Factory

We Talked To The Architect Turning Selfies Into Giant Monuments At Sochi

“Caruso’s Dream” Suspends Glowing Pianos Over San Francisco Sidewalk