On Wednesday morning July 7th, 2010 a crowd gathered in the Loop at Pritzker Park to witness the unveiling of the Eye; a massive 30-foot tall eyeball constructed of fiberglass and steel. The monstrous eyeball was created by local Chicago contemporary artist Tony Tasset and constructed on site by F.A.S.T. Corp. of Sparta Wisconsin.
Simultaneously, a series of 156 banners entitled Cardinal was released depicting the red Illinois state bird in flight. The banners line Chicago’s State street lampposts north from Congress Parkway to Wacker Drive; Cardinal is designed to be viewed like a flip book.
Chicago Loop Public Art and Free Events
The Eye is a temporary exhibit presented by the Chicago Loop Alliance (CLA) as part of a project called Art Loop 2010, it will run from July 7 to October 31, 2010.
CLA Executive Director Ty Tabing said “We expect Tony Tasset’s Eye at Pritzker Park will become a destination for those living, working and visiting the Loop, and we hope this temporary art installation encourages the public to tour the area and discover all of the incredible public art on display year round.”
This summer the Chicago Loop Alliance in cooperation with other community partners is offering a series of free public programs based on the Eye and Cardinal installations.
One fun event is Reading is Art-rageous, at the Harold Washington Library, located across the street from the Eye. Visitors can meet artist Tony Tasset and learn more about the Eye and Cardinal and afterwards participate in a free walking tour of the Loop’s public art. This is a one night event on Wednesday, August 4, 6-7p.m.
Start! Walking, is a free public art walk sponsored by the American Heart Association that will commence from the Eye on August 10 and September 8 at noon. The American Heart Association has designated CLA’s Public Art Loop Walking Tour as a Chicago walking path for its Start! program. The goal is to encourage people to live longer, healthier lives through walking.
Tony Tasset; Local Chicago Contemporary Artist
Works of art by Tasset can be seen in many places in and around Chicago. He is currently featured in the MCA exhibition, Rewind:1970s to 1990s, Works from the MCA Collection. Another large scale piece by Tasset is Paul; a 30-foot tall statue constructed of fiberglass over steel, that depicts American icon Paul Bunyan as a worn and defeated giant; on permanent display at the Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park.
Also on exhibit from May to Aug 11, 2010 at theKavi Gupta Gallery is Tony Tasset’s; Selected Works From 1986-1996. A collection of seven pieces from the artist’s early career including Pallet, i-beam, and Abstraction with Cardboard Corners.
Tony Tasset said; "I hope both Eye and Cardinal change the everyday experience for pedestrians and drivers along State Street. The image of the flying bird is quieting and humble in contrast to the commercial bustle surrounding it, while the enormous scale of the Eye serves to miniaturize its surroundings."
Directions to the Eye
The Eye is located on the corner of State and Van Buren streets in Pritzker park. The park is easily accessible by public transportation on the red, pink, brown, orange and blues lines of the Chicago L or elevated train. Visitors can easily walk to the Eye from Millennium Park or The Art Institute by walking south on Michigan Avenue, then turning west on Adams and then south onto State street. From there one can’t miss the monstrous eyeball looming in front of the Harold Washington Library.
Christine Zenino - Christine Zenino is a travel writer and photographer specializing in urban destinations and adventure travel.
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