Slog - Comments on I've Always Hated This Thing http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/ive_always_hated_this_thing It's called "Monument with Standing Beast" and it's by some French dude called "Jean Dubuffet" and it's been terrifying Chicago since 1985. On the upside, it draws the eye from the far uglier State of Illinois Center that it's plopped in front of. And, yeah, I'm obsessed. But what do you think, Jen?... Copyright 2008 Wed, 15 Oct 2008 09:25:57 -0800 Fri, 17 Oct 2008 12:29:22 -0800 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=3.34 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Comment by Mr. Poe Still not calling it the James R. Thompson Center, I see.

]]> Mr. Poe http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/ive_always_hated_this_thing#c1173099 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/ive_always_hated_this_thing#c1173099 Visual Art Wed, 15 Oct 2008 09:52:02 -0800 Comment by leek I sorta like it... at least a lot more than the man-boy fountain (even if I don't think it's about molestation).

]]> leek http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/ive_always_hated_this_thing#c1173101 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/ive_always_hated_this_thing#c1173101 Visual Art Wed, 15 Oct 2008 09:55:14 -0800 Comment by David Luckily, we make up for bad art in front of the State of James Illinois Thompson Center with such masterpieces this.

]]> David http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/ive_always_hated_this_thing#c1173106 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/ive_always_hated_this_thing#c1173106 Visual Art Wed, 15 Oct 2008 10:00:29 -0800 Comment by David Without the knowledge to properly post a link, I'll just paste the url...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/artamnesia/92867855/

]]> David http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/ive_always_hated_this_thing#c1173108 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/ive_always_hated_this_thing#c1173108 Visual Art Wed, 15 Oct 2008 10:02:29 -0800 Comment by Julie in Chicago Yeah, I had no clue what you were talking about with the "State of Illinois" building stuff. It's the Thompson Center.

I hate that sculpture, but for some reason have always loved the Picasso across the street at the Daley center. I think it's because it's interactive -- there's always kids playing on it and sliding down the big slanty part.

]]> Julie in Chicago http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/ive_always_hated_this_thing#c1173110 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/ive_always_hated_this_thing#c1173110 Visual Art Wed, 15 Oct 2008 10:04:56 -0800 Comment by Nay I'd gladly stare at this eyesore if it meant I was in Chicago.

]]> Nay http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/ive_always_hated_this_thing#c1173112 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/ive_always_hated_this_thing#c1173112 Visual Art Wed, 15 Oct 2008 10:06:46 -0800 Comment by PC 1. Much/most public art sucks.
2. Supporters of public art often say that's the pont. Weird huh?
3. Best public art is integrated into the building or structure, like Paris Metro, and is not tagged on.
4. Go up to City Hall and look at their rotating public art in the various hallways. One of them looks like a slab of concrete that's cut in the middle. This is under glass on a cube stand. It has a title that's some abstract word. Typical. I wonder did it cost $1000 or $5000? I have a few chunks of conrete I can donate if they want more of this genre.

]]> PC http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/ive_always_hated_this_thing#c1173113 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/ive_always_hated_this_thing#c1173113 Visual Art Wed, 15 Oct 2008 10:08:31 -0800 Comment by Balt-O-Matt I actually like this. But I tend to like Dubuffet. But you're right about the building. The building sucks.

]]> Balt-O-Matt http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/ive_always_hated_this_thing#c1173118 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/ive_always_hated_this_thing#c1173118 Visual Art Wed, 15 Oct 2008 10:12:01 -0800 Comment by MyDogBen Former Chicago boy here as well and Dan, you're right.

]]> MyDogBen http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/ive_always_hated_this_thing#c1173121 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/ive_always_hated_this_thing#c1173121 Visual Art Wed, 15 Oct 2008 10:14:00 -0800 Comment by notshowalter The terrible chicken salad I just ate from lunch was also "dubuffet"

]]> notshowalter http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/ive_always_hated_this_thing#c1173123 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/ive_always_hated_this_thing#c1173123 Visual Art Wed, 15 Oct 2008 10:15:15 -0800 Comment by Banna The problem with that damn thing is that it's painted, and it's always dirty at the bottom from rain splash and people spitting/pissing/spilling things on it.

]]> Banna http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/ive_always_hated_this_thing#c1173124 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/ive_always_hated_this_thing#c1173124 Visual Art Wed, 15 Oct 2008 10:17:32 -0800 Comment by Bellevue Ave PC, obviously you don't get art.

Sorry, couldn't resist.

]]> Bellevue Ave http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/ive_always_hated_this_thing#c1173134 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/ive_always_hated_this_thing#c1173134 Visual Art Wed, 15 Oct 2008 10:34:13 -0800 Comment by max solomon late debuffet is not the best debuffet. however, it is better than 90% of seattle's public art. go look at the north tower of qwest field next time you think debuffet sucks.

]]> max solomon http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/ive_always_hated_this_thing#c1173141 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/ive_always_hated_this_thing#c1173141 Visual Art Wed, 15 Oct 2008 10:43:33 -0800 Comment by Andy Niable Looks like a piece of the set leftover from the orignal Planet of the Apes movie. Or a wedding cake designed by Picasso.

]]> Andy Niable http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/ive_always_hated_this_thing#c1173144 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/ive_always_hated_this_thing#c1173144 Visual Art Wed, 15 Oct 2008 10:45:52 -0800 Comment by Charles T. Duck I only like this sculpture for its unofficial name: "Snoopy in a Blender". The State of Illinois building would look 1000% better if they did something with the blue and orange panels. The atrium is teh awesome.

]]> Charles T. Duck http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/ive_always_hated_this_thing#c1173149 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/ive_always_hated_this_thing#c1173149 Visual Art Wed, 15 Oct 2008 10:47:54 -0800 Comment by Joseph J. Finn I remember when someone drove their Geo Metro into the Thompson Center about, oh, 10 years ago...and sadly, they missed this piece of crap on the way in.

]]> Joseph J. Finn http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/ive_always_hated_this_thing#c1173154 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/ive_always_hated_this_thing#c1173154 Visual Art Wed, 15 Oct 2008 10:52:08 -0800 Comment by Gurldoggie Some French dude called “Jean Dubuffet?” Jeezis man...Dubuffet was a freakin' giant. He basically invented art brut and gave birth to the entire "Outsider Art" movement. There wouldn't be no Henry Darger, Martin Ramirez or Gregory Blackstock without Dubuffet. You don't have the love the sculpture, but give the man his propers!

]]> Gurldoggie http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/ive_always_hated_this_thing#c1173162 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/ive_always_hated_this_thing#c1173162 Visual Art Wed, 15 Oct 2008 10:58:17 -0800 Comment by johna
Oh my god, that thing is my favorite. Not just because it antagonizes the graceful swoops and steel of Chicago's Calder and Picasso so well, but because of what #11 so gracelessly points out: the City of Chicago wanted a mammoth piece by a mammoth French artist, and Dubuffet's gift was a mammoth space to shoot up and take a shit and piss. You can't really know that piece until you've experienced the stench of rotting urine and feces that encompasses it. Fucking brilliant.

]]> johna http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/ive_always_hated_this_thing#c1173187 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/ive_always_hated_this_thing#c1173187 Visual Art Wed, 15 Oct 2008 11:13:44 -0800 Comment by Scott in Chi-town The ugliest block in the city!

]]> Scott in Chi-town http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/ive_always_hated_this_thing#c1173188 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/ive_always_hated_this_thing#c1173188 Visual Art Wed, 15 Oct 2008 11:13:55 -0800 Comment by Amanda We have one really similar to that in Houston, but it's bigger, and has blue and red as well. Some of the pieces vaguely resemble cellos, and you can walk inside it and make your voice echo. That takes about 2 seconds, then you continue walking.

]]> Amanda http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/ive_always_hated_this_thing#c1173195 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/ive_always_hated_this_thing#c1173195 Visual Art Wed, 15 Oct 2008 11:18:13 -0800 Comment by David Wright There is a great Dubuffet installation in the Pompidou in Paris. It's a whole room done in that style that you can walk into.

]]> David Wright http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/ive_always_hated_this_thing#c1173247 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/ive_always_hated_this_thing#c1173247 Visual Art Wed, 15 Oct 2008 11:58:54 -0800 Comment by pastrychef Dan, you have missed the boat on this one-DuBuffett is great fun. This is not his best piece but it still makes me smile. Good thing there's enough public art that everybody can find something to hate. Me? Claus Oldenberg's giant baseball bat.

]]> pastrychef http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/ive_always_hated_this_thing#c1173577 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/ive_always_hated_this_thing#c1173577 Visual Art Wed, 15 Oct 2008 13:00:01 -0800 Comment by Vince Isn't that what sank the Titanic?

]]> Vince http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/ive_always_hated_this_thing#c1174818 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/ive_always_hated_this_thing#c1174818 Visual Art Wed, 15 Oct 2008 16:21:26 -0800 Comment by jamey braden Looks like a "wedding cake designed by Picasso"? Sounds like a dream. I kind of love it.

]]> jamey braden http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/ive_always_hated_this_thing#c1177657 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/ive_always_hated_this_thing#c1177657 Visual Art Fri, 17 Oct 2008 12:29:22 -0800