Calder's Flamingo

Calder's Flamingo is located in the Federal Plaza in the Loop district of Chicago, Illinois. The sculpture stands an impressive 53 feet tall, making it a dominant feature of the modernist government complex. Its bright red, abstract form contrasts sharply with the black steel and glass of the surrounding federal buildings.

Flamingo is classified as a 'stabile,' a term coined by fellow artist Hans Arp to distinguish Calder's stationary, ground-based sculptures from his famous hanging 'mobiles.' Made of painted steel, the stabile consists of abstract, arching forms that evoke the neck of a flamingo without being a literal representation. It was installed on site in 1973 and dedicated in 1974.

Yes, unlike many traditional sculptures that sit on pedestals, Flamingo is planted directly into the ground and designed for public interaction. People are encouraged to walk underneath and through the massive steel arches. Its bright color and open structure were specifically chosen to humanize the otherwise austere, gridded architecture of the Federal Center.

While the sculpture is entirely abstract, Calder himself noted that its graceful, sweeping curves and singular central point resembled a flamingo. The name was officially embraced to give the massive steel structure a friendly, accessible identity. Calder unveiled a maquette (model) of the sculpture at the Art Institute of Chicago before the final piece was installed.