Author Archives: Stephen Futterer

(Per Wikipedia) The Wrigley Building was constructed between 1920 and 1924. When work was begun, the Michigan Ave Bridge traversing the Chicago River due south of the building site was still under construction. It was chosen by William Wrigley, Jr for the headquarters of his chewing gum empire. In 1921, he became the principal owner of the ChicagoContinue reading ““Looking Up: Wrigley Building””

I had chance to visit Brussels some years ago and predictably, guided by Fodor’s, sought out the famed Menneken Pis. Who doesn’t love kissing and/or pissing cherubs? Yet I’m sure I’m not first to leave disappointed. It’s awkwardly situated, undersized, and the water mechanism is clumsy. To sum, the history is much more impressive thanContinue reading ““Midlife Juvenalia””

Oddly enough, my grandmother, herself a docent at the National Portrait Gallery, much enjoyed the gritty works of George Bellows. Reserved and genteel by nature, she didn’t shy from controversial or grotesque art. Maybe it was the novel combination of a crudely impressionistic technique and harshly realistic urban scenes. Palpably raw but also smart. FrozenContinue reading ““Devils in the Details””

The window features are certainly evocative of some sort of flag. And it turns out that many African flags use the trio of red, yellow and green. According to the pocket guide Complete Flags of the World (DK Publishing), “Pan-Africanism is the concept that African countries should embrace their mutual bond as Africans. Red, yellow,Continue reading ““Huh, Baltimore…??””