Tony Tasset created the conceptual sculpture, a pile of snow, as a site-specific installation for the west window of the Goldblatt’s building façade. The window is the only remaining display window of the former department store. The artist endeavored to create a hyper-realistic replica of a typical Chicago snow pile. To that end, Tasset included numerous pieces of handcrafted debris such as coffee cups and matchbooks. When asked abou the sculpture the artist has stated that, “these piles of snow are sublime; both ugly and beautiful, like life.”
I attended a lecture given by Tony Tasset for the Society of Contemporary Art last year at the Art Institute of Chicago and I was inspired heavily by the work that he presented. While driving down Chicago Avenue tonight after a lovely dinner at a local Cuban restaurant, Esteban pointed out the glorious pile in the window, I nearly missed it due to the quick paced car ride and the sudden rain/sleet storm that had sunken into the night. We stopped for awhile to witness the immense pile in the window; the contained sludge, soot, and snow in all it's disgusting and complex layers presented an august beauty. It is a beautiful gesture and quite an homage to the city of Chicago, defined by it's harsh and brutal winters. If you are ever in the area I highly recommend checking out this sculpture located at 1613 - 35 W. Chicago Avenue, the experience was delightful and worth seeing!
Tony Tasset
Snow Sculpture for Chicago
Polystyrene, acrylic, brass, steel, epoxy, oil paint and resin
H 102 in. x W 163 in. x D 93 in.
City of Chicago Public Art Collection
