Calder’s Flamingo

Here is a new street art piece, typical of Chicago. It’s Calder’s Flamingo, by Calder. He is an American sculptor and painter who’s realm is abstract art, expressionism, modern art, and surrealism. He created this 50-ton flamingo in 1974, in a magnificent bright red to stand out against the dark colors of the neighborhood buildings. This is why, Chicagoans call it the Red Calder. It is the very first work commissioned by the GSA, the General Services Administration, as part of the “Percent for Art” program, which allocates a percentage of all new architectural projects to public art.