Monument with Standing Beast, Public sculpture at James R. Thompson Center, Chicago, US
Monument with Standing Beast is a white fiberglass sculpture at the James R. Thompson Center that rises 29 feet (9 meters) tall with angular geometric patterns and interwoven shapes. The structure combines abstract figures and architectural elements into a unified composition.
French artist Jean Dubuffet created this monumental work in 1984, drawing inspiration from his Hourloupe painting series that began in the 1960s. It became one of just three major sculpture commissions he executed in the United States.
Viewers interpret the sculpture in many different ways, seeing a standing animal, a tree, a gateway, or simply abstract shapes. This openness to interpretation allows each visitor to find their own meaning in the work.
The sculpture sits at the corner of Clark and Randolph Streets, directly south of Chicago City Hall and southeast of Daley Center. It is easy to spot from multiple angles and serves as a convenient landmark when exploring downtown.
The structure weighs about 10 tons and is painted entirely in white, making it stand out distinctly against the downtown buildings. This color choice gives the abstract form an almost clinical clarity that emphasizes its geometric details.
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