All in Street

Reenacting the Picasso Unveiling

Reenacting the Picasso Unveiling

Jack Siegel
Architecture, Chicago, Chicago Tourism, Street, Things to Do in Chicago, Urban Landscapes

[Click on the photograph to enlarge it, and for additional photographs and commentary, including a listing of other public work in Chicago]

Today, the City's Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events held a reenactment of the August 15, 1967 unveiling of the Picasso statue that sits in Daley Plaza.  Although a major tourist attraction, as well is should be, Anish Kapoor's Cloud Gate has usurped the Picasso's stature with city residents and visitors.  Personally, I prefer the Picasso, which includes many classic Picasso motifs folded into its Cor-Ten steel outline and shapes.    
 

Over the River

Over the River

Jack Siegel
Architecture, Chicago, Street, Urban Landscapes

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Photographers always find new opportunities whenever a new building is completed.  150 North Riverside Plaza provides many opportunities given the elevated public space in back of the building and the promenade running along the Chicago River.  Once it opens, the Starbucks may also offer some interesting opportunities, but that will depend on the depth of the outlet.  

Conversing on the Plaza

Conversing on the Plaza

Jack Siegel
Architecture, Chicago, Street, Urban Landscapes

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Last year at this time, the building under construction at 150 North Riverside Plaza had not yet topped out.  The plaza abutting the Chicago River was filled with building materials and construction equipment, with steel and glass being hoisted  by a crane.  I have photographs to prove it.  

Basking in the Sun

Basking in the Sun

Jack Siegel
Chicago, Chicago Tourism, Street, Things to Do in Chicago

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Let's face it, one of life's simple pleasures in lying in the sun on a hot summer day in July.  This gentlemen has it going on:  The towel behind his head, the sunglasses slightly askew, and dressed in white head to toe.  All serve  to emphasize his deep tan.  He is gracing one of the new lounge chairs that line Navy Pier.  Yes, there is nothing better than lying out in the sun on a hot summer day in July.

Cigar

Cigar

Jack Siegel
Chicago, Chicago Tourism, Street, Things to Do in Chicago

[Click on the photograph to enlarge it and for additional commentary and photographs]

Several stores opened pop-up shops on Navy Pier as part of the festivities surrounding the launch of the 109th Chicago-to-Macinac Island sailboat race held by the Chicago Yacht Club.  One of the stores offered patrons the opportunity to acquire what looked like some high-end cigars and to then smoke them under a small tented area overlooking Lake Michigan.

Lions Convention

Lions Convention

Jack Siegel
Chicago, Chicago Tourism, Festivals, Street, Things to Do in Chicago, Urban Landscapes

[Click on the photograph to enlarge it and for additional commentary]

Just about every event passes through the Trump filter in this day and age.  Today, the Lions Clubs International held a parade on Chicago's State Street to commemorate the Chicago-based organization's 100th anniversary.  One parade participant proudly told me that the Lions Club is the largest service organization in the world, with 1,400,000 members in somewhere around 200 countries.  The organization focuses its efforts on visual impairment, hearing loss, disaster relief, diabetes awareness, and other good causes.

Gay Pride Parade

Gay Pride Parade

Jack Siegel
Chicago, Chicago Tourism, Demonstrations, Festivals, Performance, Street, Things to Do in Chicago

[Click on the photograph to enlarge it and for commentary, as well as 40 or so additional photographs]

Everyone knows what happens in Chicago on the last Sunday in June: The Gay Pride parade.  Having lived on the periphery of Boystown for over two decades, I've been to my share of Gay Pride parades.  Each year the parade is a little more corporate and a little less outrageous, reflecting the mainstream acceptance of gay people.

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