Who are the faces on the Crown Fountain? Wander around the Loop and youโll be sure to come across the eye-catching installment of art and water in Chicagoโs Millennium Park. Furthermore, the Crown Fountain was unveiled in July 2004, it has quickly become a favorite summer hangout for both locals and tourists alike.
Who Are the Faces on the Crown Fountain?
During the planning phase, the creators of the Crown Fountain worried that the project would come across as tacky. Generally, this is because at certain times the fountain spouts water which is supposed to resemble spit from the LED-lighted faces.
Budget Tip: ย If youโre exploring ways to tour Chicago on a budget, then purchasing aย Chicago CityPASS may be the best travel tip out there. For instance, the CityPASS allows for the entry of five out of the eight major attractions in Chicago at huge discounts. Starting in 2023, the Shoreline Sightseeing Architecture River Tour has been added!
When first revealed to the public, the children and adults who were present immediately ran to play in the fountainโs water assuming that this was what the fountain was intended for. For this reason, every summer, families come to cool off in the โsalivaโ of local Chicagoans. Moreover, the water feature runs from May through October.
6 Most Popular Tours in Chicago
- ๐ถ Chicago Architecture Walking Tour: Dazzling Interiors of the Loop
- ๐ฉ Underground Donut Tour: Chicagoโs First Donut Tour
- ๐ข Chicago Architecture River Cruise Tour on the Chicago River
- ๐ Private 45-Minute Chicago Skyline Helicopter Tour
- ๐๐ป Gangsters and Ghosts Tour in Chicago
- ๐ด๐ผ๐๐บ Bikes, Bites, and Brews: Chicagoโs Signature Dishes Bike Tour
ย
Who Are the People on Chicagoโs Crown Fountain?
Catalan artist Jaume Plensa had a goal to create an enduring snapshot of the diversity of Chicagoโs population. In fact, a total of 1,000 faces were used for the project. Furthermore, these folks were everyday Chicagoans chosen by asking 180 community groups if anyone wanted to volunteer.
Do you know what the most popular tour is in Chicago? Be sure to check it out now.
Along with Plensa, the students, staff, and faculty from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago helped with the filming. Two photoshoots were organized, one in 2003 and one in 2004.
Must Read: What They Donโt Tell You About a Wrigley Field Tour
The recording took place in an adjustable dentist chair where the residents were asked to smile, pucker, and make a hole with their lips and blow. Participants were told to focus on a hanging tennis ball to prevent their eyes from wandering. A high-definition camera was used to film 80 seconds of each individualโs face.
Interesting Facts About Chicagoโs Crown Fountain
There are some fascinating facts regarding Crown Fountain. You will never see the same face on each tower. Some of the participants have never seen their faces on the tower. Others have only been able to see photos of their faces from images that have been posted online.
It is impossible to know which face will pop up because the order is randomly generated from a computer program.ย Some participants stated that they were told that their faces would be used for over 50 years when they went in for filming.
Interestingly enough, the featured people are very hard to locate today. Some have passed away. Others have moved away from Chicago. However, the faces featured on the 50-foot-tall structures will never be replaced and new faces will never be added. This was always Plensaโs intention. In a 2005 interview, he stated, โThe ephemeral is a great tribute to life.โ
Where Is the Crown Fountain Located?
The Crown Fountain is located at the corner of Michigan Avenue and Monroe Street in Millennium Park. It is truly a cool and unusual attraction in downtown Chicago.
We Need Your Help
Did you find this article helpful? If so, bookmark it and when youโre planning your next vacation click on any of the links below before finalizing reservations. Youโll get the best price, weโll earn a small commission, and youโll help support future articles.
Thank you!
BEST TRAVEL SEARCH ENGINES
๐๏ธ Book Your Accommodation
We use Tripadvisor and Pricelineโs Express Deals to compare prices and reviews in advance and check availability
โ๏ธ Book Your Flight in Advance
To find the cheapest flight options, you can use WayAway and Skyscanner to find the most suitable choice for you
๐ Reserve Your Rental Car
Use DiscoverCars and Skyscanner to compare prices and view the largest selection of vehicles