This past summer, five world-class architects gathered to create public art in beds of beautiful gardens all along North Michigan Avenue, celebrating City Beautiful and David Burnham’s plan for Chicago.

Lucien Lagrange

LLA made a design for Tulips on the Magnificent Mile that sought to create a frame-like object that was dictated by the procession along the east sidewalk of Michigan Avenue.  The sculpture perfectly framed Bennett’s Bridge Tower at the southwest corner of the Michigan Avenue Bridge when the viewer found the intended sight line.  This sculpture was located at 401 N. Michigan Avenue.

OWP/P

Burnham’s Plan of Chicago focused on enduring and preserving the Lake Michigan Shoreline.  The shoreline, along with the city and regional parks and the boulevards together completed what is now referred to as the “Emerald Necklace”, closing the once horseshoe shaped design on the eastern side.  This piece mapped out the city parks and boulevards, commenting on the shape and design.  This sculpture was located at 730 N. Michigan Avenue

UrbanWorks

This sculpture was made up of transparent containers that accepted fill, meaning objects that are typically disposed.  The sculpture evolved over time - time on Michigan Avenue meant more time for accumulation of fill.  This Sculpture was located at 540 N. Michigan Avenue.

Perkins + Will

This sculpture made the wind visible by swaying and chiming in the breeze.  Pedestrians walking by could touch the sculpture to activate it making it engaging and interactive.  This sculpture was located at 700 N. Michigan Avenue.

VOA Associates

This piece represented Daniel Burnham’s ideal - the City Beautiful Plan.  It was a colorful interplay of the city containing people, environment, landscape and waterfront.  This sculpture was located at 750 N. Michigan Avenue.