elaine place giraffes removed on sunday
photo credit // joe e dale
Update: Chicago Apt. Finders hope to see statues returned to neighborhood
Chicago, IL -
If you've ever walked around Boystown in the Lakeview neighborhood, you have certainly happened upon Elaine Street which is flanked by two polished giraffe sculptures and a goat made from chrome bumpers. On Sunday, those famous life-size recreations were removed.
Chicago developer Milton Zale, 70, recently sold his portfolio of Elaine Place rental buildings to Chicago Apartment Finders, which wasn't interested in purchasing the artwork designed by Chicago sculptor John Kearney, who is now 88-years-old.
Zale commissioned the exquisite giraffe sculptures by Kearney in 1978 - the goat in 1999 - and permanently installed them on the three corners of Elaine Place - at Roscoe and Cornelia. The sculptures became a major attraction for people walking through the neighborhood.
"We were very sad and upset that they couldn't remain where so many people have enjoyed them for so many years," John's wife Lynn Kearney told ChicagoPride.com. "Perhaps some other person or group in the community could buy them and install them in a nearby park."
Residents described a magical neighborhood moment when the night sky would be filled with camera flashes as patrons of neighborhood bars would climb on the 11 foot and 7 foot giraffe statues for photos.
A Twitter account even exists for the giraffes. "We heard Mr. Zale (our owner) offered to let us stay and the new owners said no," read one Tweet from @ElaineGiraffes.
"I've lived in the neighborhood since I was a kid and these giraffes have been there as long as I can remember," said Sean Kowta, who is also general manager at Hydrate. "I'm glad my fellow board members of the Northalsted Business Alliance agree on what a loss it would be for the neighborhood."
According to Kowta, Chicago Diner owner Mickey Hornock has reached out to Zale to see how the pieces can be returned to the neighborhood.
A spokeswoman for Zale Realty told ChicagoPride.com that the sculpters are undergoing minor restoration and repair, yet the future home of the giraffes and goat is unknown.
Kearney's works remain in major museum and collections throughout the U.S., including the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago. Other outdoor works are scattered throughout Chicago, including the Tin Man, Cowardly Lion, Scare Crow, Dorothy and Toto in Oz Park and a gorilla in front of the Uptown Hull House.
"John is very pleased that people do care about his work," said Mrs. Kearney.
UPDATE: (5:55PM 11/12/12) Chicago Apartment Finders released the following statement to ChicagoPride.com:
"Chicago Apartment Finders tried to have the Kearney statues conveyed at closing, but the previous owner elected to have them removed. We are aware and sensitive to the concerns from local neighbors and community groups and we are doing everything in our power to have the statues returned to their rightful position."
Chicago developer Milton Zale, 70, recently sold his portfolio of Elaine Place rental buildings to Chicago Apartment Finders, which wasn't interested in purchasing the artwork designed by Chicago sculptor John Kearney, who is now 88-years-old.
Zale commissioned the exquisite giraffe sculptures by Kearney in 1978 - the goat in 1999 - and permanently installed them on the three corners of Elaine Place - at Roscoe and Cornelia. The sculptures became a major attraction for people walking through the neighborhood.
"We were very sad and upset that they couldn't remain where so many people have enjoyed them for so many years," John's wife Lynn Kearney told ChicagoPride.com. "Perhaps some other person or group in the community could buy them and install them in a nearby park."
Residents described a magical neighborhood moment when the night sky would be filled with camera flashes as patrons of neighborhood bars would climb on the 11 foot and 7 foot giraffe statues for photos.
A Twitter account even exists for the giraffes. "We heard Mr. Zale (our owner) offered to let us stay and the new owners said no," read one Tweet from @ElaineGiraffes.
"I've lived in the neighborhood since I was a kid and these giraffes have been there as long as I can remember," said Sean Kowta, who is also general manager at Hydrate. "I'm glad my fellow board members of the Northalsted Business Alliance agree on what a loss it would be for the neighborhood."
According to Kowta, Chicago Diner owner Mickey Hornock has reached out to Zale to see how the pieces can be returned to the neighborhood.
A spokeswoman for Zale Realty told ChicagoPride.com that the sculpters are undergoing minor restoration and repair, yet the future home of the giraffes and goat is unknown.
Kearney's works remain in major museum and collections throughout the U.S., including the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago. Other outdoor works are scattered throughout Chicago, including the Tin Man, Cowardly Lion, Scare Crow, Dorothy and Toto in Oz Park and a gorilla in front of the Uptown Hull House.
"John is very pleased that people do care about his work," said Mrs. Kearney.
UPDATE: (5:55PM 11/12/12) Chicago Apartment Finders released the following statement to ChicagoPride.com:
"Chicago Apartment Finders tried to have the Kearney statues conveyed at closing, but the previous owner elected to have them removed. We are aware and sensitive to the concerns from local neighbors and community groups and we are doing everything in our power to have the statues returned to their rightful position."
