by Lindsay Banks
7/7/10

opthamologist vs optometrist , by clarkmaxwell

Have you seen the new downtown sculpture in Pritzker Park?  Has it seen you?  The exhibit was revealed today and will be up through October.  This week's Explore Northeastern Illinois Photo of the week, by clarkmaxwell, captured workers installing the giant EYE at the end of June.

The sculpture was created by Tony Tasset, a Chicago resident and art professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago. According to CNN, the cost of the installation was in the six figures and was paid for through a special tax paid by property owners on State Street.   In addition to the 30-foot tall EYE, Tasset designed a series of lamppost banners that show our state bird CARDINAL, in flight via 156 flipbook - style banners along State Street.  

(Get ready for bad pun number 2) Whether you think this sculpture is an urban eyesore or a cultural treat, public art has always played an important role in the Chicagoland area and is one aspect of the city that continues to bring millions of tourists to the region year-round, although perhaps fewer in the winter!

Read more about the importance of arts and culture in our strategy paper. For more puns and reflection on the exhibit, visit thewanderkind.com. 

Our Flickr Photos of the Week are chosen from the Explore Northeastern Illinois photo pool.  Submit your photos today!