Millennium Park Crown Fountain | Chicago

The Crown Fountain is a video sculpture located in Millennium Park, Chicago, Illinois. It consists of two 50-foot-tall glass brick towers facing a shallow reflecting pool.

Visual Characteristics

The fountain features two interactive video sculptures, each 50 feet (15 meters) tall, constructed from glass bricks. These towers project digital images of faces from Chicago's diverse population onto LED screens. The faces appear to spout water from their mouths. The reflecting pool is a shallow, granite-clad basin situated between the towers, designed to mimic a shallow pond.

Location & Access Logistics

The Crown Fountain is situated in Millennium Park, Chicago, Illinois, at the intersection of Michigan Avenue and Monroe Street. It is located on the east side of the park, adjacent to the Pritzker Pavilion. Access is available via Michigan Avenue. Public transportation options include the CTA 'L' trains (Adams/Wabash, Monroe/Red Line) and numerous bus lines (e.g., 1, 3, 4, 6, 14, 15, 18, 26, 60, 146, 151). Parking is available in nearby garages, including the Grant Park South Garage and the Millennium Park Garage.

Historical & Ecological Origin

The Crown Fountain was designed by Catalan artist Jaume Plensa and completed in 2004. It was commissioned as part of the Millennium Park project. The fountain's purpose is to serve as a public art installation and a gathering space, reflecting the city's population through its video projections.

Key Highlights & Activities

Visitors can interact with the fountain by walking through the reflecting pool. Water spouts from the towers at intervals, creating a playful water feature. The video projections of faces change throughout the day and seasons. The area is suitable for observation and photography.

Infrastructure & Amenities

Restrooms are available within Millennium Park. Shade is provided by surrounding trees and park structures. Cell phone signal (4G/5G) is generally strong within Millennium Park. Food vendors and concessions are located throughout Millennium Park and along Michigan Avenue.

Best Time to Visit

The fountain is operational from May to October, weather permitting. For optimal lighting for photography, early morning or late afternoon provides softer light. The reflecting pool is most engaging when water is actively spouting, which occurs at regular intervals during operational hours.

Facts & Legends

The faces projected onto the towers were selected from over 1,000 Chicago residents of various ages, ethnicities, and backgrounds, captured through a series of video recordings. The fountain's design intentionally uses simple materials like glass brick and granite to allow the art and the interaction of people to be the primary focus.

Nearby Landmarks

• Jay Pritzker Pavilion (0.1km Northwest)
• Cloud Gate (The Bean) (0.3km West)
• Lurie Garden (0.4km Southwest)
• Art Institute of Chicago (0.6km Southwest)
• Buckingham Fountain (1.2km South)