Sunday, March 12, 2006

Sound with a view

You’re looking at 95,000 square feet of outdoor concert area. At one end stands a 120-foot tall headdress of stainless steel ribbons framing the concert stage. Spreading outward is a lateral trellis of steel pipes which supports a state-of-the-art sound system, the first of its kind in the U.S. The system is designed to distribute sound equally to all parts of the concert area.

The Jay Pritzker Pavilion and the Great Lawn comprise almost half of Chicago’s Millennium Park. Not only is it designed to provide an excellent aural experience, the view isn’t too shabby, either.

Click on picture to enlarge. Photograph © 2006 James Jordan.

2 comments:

SJW said...

I'm one of those who is impressed with and can respect the artwork represented in Millenium Park, but, as you've captured, it is in such contrast to it's surrounding. I agree with empress--dizzying. Looking at the picturesque lakefront, older architecture along Michigan Ave, and the nice and open space of Grant Park and the museums, I tend to find the whole display leaning toward more of an eyesore. Makes for great photos though!

James said...

empress, it's amazing that even though the lattice is mostly open space how "covered" you feel when standing under it. Doesn't help a bit when it's raining, though.

Steve, much the same could be said for the new Soldier Field. Time marches on and sometimes certain sensibilities get trampled in the process. I certainly was trying to juxtapose the old with the new in these photos.