Agora (sculpture)
Agora is an installation of 106 headless and armless iron sculptures at the south end of Grant Park in Chicago. Designed by Polish artist Magdalena Abakanowicz, they were made in a foundry near Poznań between 2004 and 2006.[1] In 2006, the Chicago Park District brought the work to Chicago as a permanent loan from the Polish Ministry of Culture.[2] Similar installations have been constructed throughout the world, but Agora is among the largest.[3]
| Agora | |
|---|---|
 The installation, viewed from the north | |
  Agora Location in Chicago | |
| Artist | Magdalena Abakanowicz |
| Location | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| 41°52′06″N 87°37′24″W | |
History and description
Chicago, which has a large Polish American community, had hoped to add a major work by Abakanowicz for several years before Agora arrived. Among the plans which were not realized were a large hand to be placed at the end of BP Pedestrian Bridge and a set of animal sculptures to be placed near the Monroe Street harbor. One proposal called for a group of headless figures be placed in Chicago's Museum Campus. Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley eventually suggested placing an installation at the south end of Grant Park, near Roosevelt Road.[4] By 2006, private donors, including actor Robin Williams, contributed over $700,000 to bring the work to Chicago.[5]
The figures are 9 ft (2.7 m) tall and weigh approximately 1,800 lb (820 kg).[4] Each is made from a hollow, seamless piece of iron that has been allowed to rust, creating a reddish appearance[5] and a bark-like texture. The figures appear to be milling about in a crowd; some face each other, while others look away.[6] Visitors are meant to walk through the sculptures and contemplate the work.[5]
The name Agora refers to the urban meeting places of the Ancient Greek city-states. Abakanowicz, who grew up during World War II, has said that her art draws on her fear of crowds, which she once described as "brainless organisms acting on command, worshiping on command and hating on command".[3] However, the work has inspired optimistic interpretations. Kevin Nance of the Chicago Sun-Times wrote, "If they had arms and hands (they don't), these would be clasped behind their backs as if in contemplation. They seem, somehow, to be thinking, not as a group but as individuals. [...] It's possible, in fact, to interpret the piece as a representation of democracy."[7]
Reception
Agora received a mixed response from the people of Chicago. "I get e-mails from people loving it and people hating it. There's nothing in between," said Bob O'Neill.[5] Mayor Daley lauded the work, saying, "You've got to go through it yourself to feel the spirit of the artist and each piece of artwork."[8]
See also
References
- Sigalit Satouni (28 May 2007). "Agora, Art and Experience]". Chicago Life. Retrieved 2010-02-16..
- Andrew Herrmann (20 June 2006). "'They are beyond powerful': 100 iron giants by Polish artist are headed to Grant Park". Chicago Sun-Times. HighBeam.com. p. 8. Archived from the original on 6 November 2012. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
- Alan G. Artner (16 November 2006). "Provocative achievement in Grant Park". Chicago Tribune. HighBeam.com. p. 1. Archived from the original on 6 November 2012. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
- Noreen S. Ahmed (27 September 2006). "Future art in the park; 106-piece sculpture by Polish artist is on its way to Grant Park". Chicago Tribune. HighBeam.com. p. 1. Archived from the original on 6 November 2012. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
- Andrew Herrmann (27 October 2006). "Grant Park art is 'beyond words': Some love, some hate headless, armless figures". Chicago Sun-Times. HighBeam.com. p. 6. Archived from the original on 6 November 2012. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
- Noreen S. Ahmed-Ullah (27 October 2006). "Walking among iron giants; Gift to Grant Park 'not a decoration'". Chicago Tribune. HighBeam.com. p. 1. Archived from the original on 6 November 2012. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
- Kevin Nance (17 November 2006). "Rows of headless giants march into Grant Park: Polish sculptor's rust-colored figures seem strangely at home in Chicago". Chicago Sun-Times. HighBeam.com. p. 58. Archived from the original on 6 November 2012.
- Noreen S. Ahmad-Ullah (17 November 2006). "Meaning of 'Agora' is open question". Chicago Tribune. p. 2. Archived from the original on 6 November 2012. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
