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Portrait with Tim Samuelson, Cultural Historian of the City of Chicago.
Event: Gallery Talk “The Pride and Perils of Chicago’s Public Art.”
Date: February 25, 2017
Location: Landmark Chicago Gallery, Ist Floor, Chicago Cultural Center.
Image courtesy: Lynn Becker.
Part of Celebration of 2017 as as The Year of Public Art.
#YOPA2017
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“The Alarm” by John J. Boyle.
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I was thrilled that one of my photos, “The Alarm” by John J. Boyle, was part of the exhibition.
“The Pride and Perils of Chicago’s Public Art.”
Curated by Cultural Historian of Chicago: Tim Samuelson.
Temporary Exhibition: February 25 to July 30, 2017.
Location: Landmark Chicago Gallery, Ist Floor, Chicago Cultural Center.
A brief story behind this sculpture..
Public art is a reflection of our society, our culture, and our collective memory. Art is a response to socio-cultural environment at a particular period of time. But sometimes art can be ahead of its time, and shape public opinion. Case in point is bronze sculpture “The Alarm” by John J. Boyle. It was commissioned by Martin Ryerson, a wealthy lumber baron, who traded fur with Native American of the Ottawa Nation.
In the 1880s Ryerson chose public art as a way to make a powerful statement of respect for Native American people and culture during an era when atrocities and injustice were rampant. He even sent the sculptor Boyle to live among the relocated Native Americans to prepare for creating the monumental sculpture of a native family. He gave instructions to show the strength and defiance in the figures. The sculpture was dedicated in 1884. It shows a family in alert readiness against all threats – animal, natural, human. The inscription on the base reads: “To the Ottawa Nation of Indians, my early friends.” The Alarm is located besides Chicago’s lakefront bike path, south of Belmont Avenue.
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“The Alarm” by John J. Boyle.
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Selfie with my photo of the sculpture “Indian Alarm,” in the exhibition “The Pride and Perils of Chicago’s Public Art.”
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RELATED LINKS
Exhibitions at Chicago Cultural Center.. click here..
Temporary Exhibitions.. click here..
Portrait with Art and Artists.. click here..
The Pride and Perils of Chicago’s Public Art.. click here..
Indian Alarm – by John J. Boyle.. click here..
Home: Public Art in Chicago.. click here..
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Chicago Art Blogger