Alexander Calder’s Flamingo is a 53-foot steel sculpture in Federal Plaza, at 210 S Dearborn St in Chicago’s Loop. Painted a vivid vermilion red, its sweeping curves stand out against the dark, rectilinear buildings of Mies van der Rohe’s Federal Center. The open structure lets you walk beneath and around it, and marble benches provide a place to pause. Read the plaque on the south side for background, then continue through the Loop to see public sculptures by Picasso, Miró and Chagall.
A red sculpture in Federal Plaza
Alexander Calder’s Flamingo stands in Federal Plaza at 210 S Dearborn St, among the buildings of Mies van der Rohe’s Federal Center. Unveiled in 1974, the steel work rises 53 feet and weighs 50 tons. Its vermilion paint sets it apart from the dark, gridded architecture around it.
Calder’s curved forms create an open structure, so you can walk around and beneath the sculpture. The contrast between its flowing outline and the nearby buildings is especially clear from the plaza.
Pause and explore the Loop
A plaque on the south side of the sculpture gives background on the work. Marble benches in the plaza make it easy to sit for a while or use the spot as a meeting point. The sculpture is accessible around the clock, and the entrance and restroom are wheelchair accessible.
Other public artworks by Picasso, Miró and Chagall can be found in the Loop. Add them to your walk if you want to see more of the area’s outdoor art. Weekday mornings are a practical time to visit if you prefer fewer people around the sculpture.
FAQ
Where is Calder’s Flamingo in Chicago?
It is in Federal Plaza at 210 S Dearborn St, in Chicago’s Loop.
Can you walk beneath the Flamingo sculpture?
Yes. Its open structure allows you to walk beneath and around it.
How tall is the Flamingo sculpture?
It stands 53 feet tall.
Is the plaza wheelchair accessible?
The entrance and restroom are wheelchair accessible.
