Across from the Wrigley Building is Chicago's newest public art commission, J. Seward Johnson's God Bless America. This 25 foot tall statue is an obvious knock off of Grant Wood's American Gothic, and iconic piece of American Art housed just down the street at the Art Institute of Chicago. The tourist seem to love it, clamoring onto the pedestal to have their picture taken with the towering couple, however it is not without criticism. Johnson is known for his life-like renditions of ordinary people doing ordinary things, so it is interesting why he chose this already famous image to recreate. Although the painting is one of the gem's of the Institute's Collection and replicas are already wide spread, why create something so close to the original? I personally would have preferred an original creation from this artist, however many feel that this pays homage to Grant Wood, to Chicago's fine art collection, and to the farmers of the Midwest.
What do you think?
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