20-foot-tall sculptures installed at Long and Higgins as part of art exchange
by BRIAN NADIG
Two 20-foot-tall steel sculptures, weighing 19,000 pounds, were installed on June 10 at the southeast corner of Higgins and Long avenues, next to the Ed Paschke Art Center.
The sculptures are part of an art exchange between the the Paschke center, 5415 W. Higgins Ave., and the Zhou B Art Center, 1029 W. 35th St., that will take place from Friday, June 19, to Sunday, Aug. 2.
"The Lover" and "Sun Island" sculptures are part of the Zhou Brothers collection which the Paschke center will be featuring, while about 20 of Paschke’s works are being sent to the Zhou center. The installation of the sculptures included the use of a crane to lift the them over trees.
DaHuang and ShanZuo Zhou become friends with Paschke, who died in 2004, shortly after they arrived in the United States from China about 30 years ago. "Paschke was the first to welcome them to the Chicago art scene," said Lionel Rabb, whose family foundation sponsors the Paschke center. "When they were commissioned to create a 33,000-square-foot canvass at Navy Pier in 1996, Paschke was the first person whom they invited to help paint."
The brothers have been creating multi-media art projects since 1973 and have had shows in museums in the United States, Europe and Asia. Paschke, who lived on the Northwest Side, was influenced in part by Disney animation and became affiliated with a group of artists known as the "Chicago Imagists."
The Paschke center is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Sunday, and admission is free. In addition to the Zhou works, an exhibition by rock star photographer Paul Natkin will be on display at the Paschke center through Aug. 2.
Also, the Jefferson Park Advisory Council and center are holding "Paschke in the Park," from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, June 21, at the park, 4822 N. Long Ave. The event will include free art activities for families and a petting zoo.
