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rara avis
This photo really does not do justice to this amazing sculpture hanging in Chicago's Midway airport, but it does give you a vague idea of how cool it is. Here's another view, which still doesn't quite capture the wonder of seeing this in person.
Rara Avis is part of Chicago's public art program, described in detail here and pasted below for those who are too lazy to click on the link. I was completely captivated by this sculpture.
Ralph Helmick and Stuart Schecter
Rara Avis
cast metal/stainless cable, 13’ x 15’ x 12’, 2001
Suspended sculpture visible from center of Ticketing Hall and from the Mezzanine Level.
Rara Avis is an epic suspended sculpture poetically linking natural and manmade aviation. Comprised of thousands of precisely suspended pewter elements, the artwork employs a three-dimensional Pointillism wherein numerous small sculptures coalesce into a large evanescent composite form. Travelers approaching the center of the new Midway Airport Terminal will perceive a monumental image of a cardinal. Upon closer examination a perceptual shift occurs as the large avian form reveals itself to be composed of over 2500 small aircraft. A wide spectrum of these component elements is rendered, ranging from Leonardo-inspired designs to 19th century balloons to classic passenger airliners to 21st century spacecraft. Over fifty different aircraft are represented, all distinct, and all coming together to render a macrocosmic image of Illinois’ state bird.
rara avis
This photo really does not do justice to this amazing sculpture hanging in Chicago's Midway airport, but it does give you a vague idea of how cool it is. Here's another view, which still doesn't quite capture the wonder of seeing this in person.
Rara Avis is part of Chicago's public art program, described in detail here and pasted below for those who are too lazy to click on the link. I was completely captivated by this sculpture.
Ralph Helmick and Stuart Schecter
Rara Avis
cast metal/stainless cable, 13’ x 15’ x 12’, 2001
Suspended sculpture visible from center of Ticketing Hall and from the Mezzanine Level.
Rara Avis is an epic suspended sculpture poetically linking natural and manmade aviation. Comprised of thousands of precisely suspended pewter elements, the artwork employs a three-dimensional Pointillism wherein numerous small sculptures coalesce into a large evanescent composite form. Travelers approaching the center of the new Midway Airport Terminal will perceive a monumental image of a cardinal. Upon closer examination a perceptual shift occurs as the large avian form reveals itself to be composed of over 2500 small aircraft. A wide spectrum of these component elements is rendered, ranging from Leonardo-inspired designs to 19th century balloons to classic passenger airliners to 21st century spacecraft. Over fifty different aircraft are represented, all distinct, and all coming together to render a macrocosmic image of Illinois’ state bird.