Art-talk with Jaume Plensa, creator of that magical fountain

Photo courtesy Chicago Architecture Foundation

“I have eyes in my fingers. I have to touch my art.”

That was just one of the comments made by Jaume Plensa, the Spanish artist who created the Crown Fountain at Millennium Park, in his appearance at the MCA recently. Plensa, who is a true creative spirit and a thoughtful artist, showed an 18-minute slide presentation of his sculptures in locations all over the world and was interviewed by Reed Kroloff, director of the Cranbrook Academy of Art.

I was only familiar with his fountain design here and it is considered his most important piece in the US.  Why do I call it magical?  Have you ever taken a child there or sat and watched kids play in the summer?  Plensa has created the ultimate in interactive art. You can physically become part of his work of art. (But be sure to bring a towel.)

The MCA event was cosponsored with the Chicago Architecture Foundation and titled “Architecture Is Art…Is Architecture Art?” The question was never answered directly but Plensa did muse about the relationship between architecture and art. You can read more about him and his work in my Gapers Block article.

Related articles on public art and sculpture

Sculpture in Portage Park and Pioneer Court, plus new tours at a Frank Lloyd Wright landmark building. Read it here.

Public sculpture on the parklet on the State Street median and a global view of art under a viaduct. Art everywhere!  You have to love it.