Consider yourself fortunate to witness such a spectacle. The Astroterra Sculpture, or rather Constellation, stands tall. It is a 29-foot-tall spiraling metal structure. This artwork serves as a visual focal point. It directs your gaze west toward the Chicago River’s confluence. Here, the north and south branches meet.
Santiago Calatrava designed the Astroterra Sculpture. He is a principal architect. He designed iconic projects like the World Trade Center Transit Hub. Calatrava also designed Malmö’s Turning Torso. He intended for Constellation to grow from the ground. Each figure possesses an internal logic. This delivers lyrical forms. It implies a sense of elevation. This reflects the building’s mirrored architectural arch.
River Point Park surrounds the Astroterra Sculpture. It is open to the public. The River Point building stands at its base. This is a 732-foot-tall office tower completed in 2017. Chicago’s Riverwalk lines the adjacent river banks.
The bright red crescent pieces are positioned next to one another. They tangentially align in a spiral pattern. These pieces convey a centripetal momentum. They seem to fan outward like spinning water.
Hines oversaw the River Point park and tower. They privately funded the Astroterra Sculpture. Its construction cost remains undisclosed. However, a 2018 Chicago Tribune article estimated it in the millions of dollars.
Santiago Calatrava expressed his honor. His work was integrated into Chicago’s streetscape. Chicago has an extraordinary tradition of urban art and architecture.
The Astroterra Sculpture twists in an outward-reaching spiral. It is constructed of overlapping leaflike elements. These elements descend in scale. They range from very large at the sculpture’s base to very small. This is at the outer reach of the spiral form. The massive layered spiral reveals architectural depth from any angle. It shows overhang and movement.
Jim Walsh of Hines’ Chicago regional office remarked on the bright red sculpture’s reflections. They reflect on the River and the glass tower. He considers it an amazing sight to see. It adds a great artistic touch to the plaza and the riverfront.
The model used in selecting the Astroterra Sculpture will be displayed. It will be at the Art Institute of Chicago. It will stand alongside models for Chicago’s Picasso, Calder, and Dubuffet sculptures.
The Astroterra Sculpture installation was completed in November 2020. River Point partners Ivanhoé Cambridge, Hines, and Levy Family Partners presented it. The red leafy sculpture is now showcased for your viewing. The sculpture will likely receive a crowdsourced nickname. This is similar to other sculptures around the city. Think of “The Bean,” known officially as “Cloud Gate.”