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Art Wed Jul 16 2008
Happy Birthday! We Got You A Makeover.
In anticipation of the 25th anniversary of its installation, the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs has announced that it will be restoring the sculpture located at the triangle intersection of Ohio, Ontario, and Orleans. The work, entitled "Being Born," was moved to that location in 1996 from the corner of State and Washington. It was the first piece of public art installed as part of the Chicago Gateway Green program which aims to spruce up the oft-ignored gateways and expressways into the city.
"Being Born," created by Italian-born and Chicago-based artist Virginio Ferrari, was donated to the city by the Tooling and Manufacturing Institute. According to the sculptor, the two circles symbolize the skill and precision of the die-making industry and the open edge of the outer circle is meant to represent the continued growth of the industry. The work is fabricated from stainless steel and stands 20 feet tall.
Restoration will be completed just in time for Gateway Green's annual Green Tie Ball, a tradition that began seventeen years ago on the site where the sculpture now stands. (I guess after twenty-five years no one wants to invite you to their parties unless you've had some work done.) The rebirth of "Being Born" is scheduled for September 13.