Welcome back to downtown Chicago. This is one of the gargoyle statues that are perched on Chicago’s Harold Washington Library Center, the central library for Chicago’s extensive library system. The library was named for the first African-American mayor of Chicago. Gargantuan and almost goofy, this granite-and-brick edifice is a uniquely postmodern homage to Chicago's great architectural past.
There is a gargoyle at each of the four corners of the building, plus a large wide one over the front entrance on State Street. Some say that the huge, gargoyle-like sculptures atop the building are owls, a symbol of wisdom. And if you closely at this one, you can see that might be true. But, without that close examination, all I see is a gargoyle.
Whatever they are, the library is quite a special place, both inside and out. Of course it has an amazing repository of books on its 10 floors, but it also features art by many of Chicago’s most renown artists. Chicago's rich musical heritage comes alive in the eighth floor's Visual and Performing Arts Division, home of the Chicago Blues Archives and Jazz/Blues/Gospel Hall of Fame.
Put this on your list of things-to-do in Chicago.
(To see a larger version of this photo, just click on the image)
To see more of my work, both in photography and digital painting, please visit my website, www.corkrum.com.
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