Jaume Plensa
If you ever want to stop your daily life and say "Wow," go find a Jaume Plensa creation. Born in Barcelona in 1955, Plensa has won international awards for his public works, as well as high praise for his solo showings in museums and galleries in Austria, Belgium, Brazil, England, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United States. Perhaps the best Plensa "wow" moment is the Crown Fountain at Millennium Park in Chicago, two fifty foot glass block towers that project video images of Chicago's citizens at each of two reflecting pools. Other public "wow" creations include Nomade, for the Musee Picasso in France, Breathing at the BBC Broadcasting House, Star of David in the Raoul Wallenberg Square in Stockholm, Bridge of Light for the Jerusalem Foundation in Israel, Transparent Doubts at the University of Shizuoka for Culture and Art in Japan, and Tatto at Duke University. Plensa's inspiring work extends into theatre and opera, as well. His designs include La Fura Dels Baus production of Mozart's Die Zauberflote at the Paris National Theatre, La Damnation de Faust at Salzburg Opera Festival, and Le Martyre de Saint Sebastien at the Teatro de l'Opera in Rome. Somewhere near you is a Plensa art work, and a group of viewers saying, "wow."
