In a feature Aug. 9, architecture critic Paul Gapp discussed at length the so-called ”mystery” surrounding the Picasso sculpture in Chicago.
Pablo Picasso knew all too well that we Americans are intensely literal and have little inclination to see things in a different way. His entire style of art was just that-to see, paint and sculpt images in a different way.
The piece in Daley Center is really not a mystery at all. Picasso knew exactly what he was portraying, and he is probably still chuckling in his grave at our naivete.
To prove it, try observing the sculpture from behind at either the northwest or northeast (at the positions of about 10 o`clock or 2 o`clock).
You will see without question just what the maestro planned. Don Quixote! Picasso had sculpted and painted this Spanish legend numerous times. He did it for Chicago, but he guessed correctly that in our slavish tendency to see things in only one way, we might never see the truth. Try it . . . you`ll like it!
