“Chicago’s Federal Center — two minimalist steel-and-glass towers, a 50-foot sculpture, and a one-story pavilionlike post office all placed around a large plaza in the middle of downtown — is a high point in American architectural modernism.

“The work of famed architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, the ensemble was sited and designed to express the ideals of an open government. And the quality of its architecture and Alexander Calder’s striking, vermillion-colored sculpture, Flamingo, are a gift to the city.

“The Trump administration this month has moved to fire U.S. General Services Administration employees who oversee and preserve more than 26,000 federally owned pieces of art at or around government buildings nationwide, the Washington Post reported.

“In Chicago, the decision potentially negatively impacts major works like Flamingo, but also the 101-foot tall Claes Oldenburg-designed Batcolumn sculpture at the Harold Washington Social Security Administration Building at 600 W. Madison St. and more.

“A Chicago GSA spokesperson wouldn’t comment on the firings or their impact. But to let these Chicago works and 26,000 others owned by the federal government just drift without caretakers and preservation professionals looking after them is one among the many clear signs of this administration’s abject failure to take seriously its responsibility when it comes to the public good.

“The move comes weeks after the administration put a chunk of federally owned buildings up for sale, including the Kluczynski and post office buildings, both located on the city’s Federal Center plaza; the Social Security headquarters; and the art deco-styled U.S. Customs Building at 610 S. Canal St.

“The GSA took the buildings off the market within days. But that the same administration that intended to sell these important — and occupied — buildings is now circling the valuable artwork associated with the structures is more than a bit disturbing.

“With all that in mind, museums, universities and cities like Chicago ought to band together and speak up for this national artistic treasure and the people who have safeguarded it. And the city and its congressional delegation must also make noise against selling off Chicago’s key federal buildings, such as the Kluczynski and the Federal Center post office.

“After all, Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill., was so convinced that redeveloping the vacant Century and Consumers buildings at Adams and State streets would present a security risk to the nearby Dirksen federal courthouse that he earmarked $52 million to raze the classic towers.

“Fortunately, the plan wasn’t implemented. But it’s up to both senators and members in the U.S. House of Representatives speak against this new threat to the Federal Center and other U.S.-owned Chicago art and buildings.” (Chicago Sun-Times Editorial Board, 3/20/25)

Chicago’s 20th Century Public Sculptures was a Preservation Chicago 2017 Chicago 7 Most Endangered. Preservation Chicago believes that Chicago’s 20th Century public sculptures, Alexander Calder’s Flamingo, should be protected and always on public display. Additionally, these works of art are contextual and were designed to be viewed in situ, so to the extent possible, should remain in their original environment. The loss of any of these art pieces is tragic, and we suggest that these public and private works of art, with public access, and on open plazas and semi-public spaces, be considered for thematic Chicago Landmark Designation along with their plazas and open spaces, to guarantee that they will always be here for the public good.

Additionally, with talk of potentially selling off buildings from Ludwig Mies van der Rohe Federal Center, Preservation Chicago strongly encourages the City of Chicago to designate Federal Center as a Chicago Landmark. This would have limited impact while the property is owned by the federal government, but would immediately protect the buildings in the event of a sale.

Read the full editorial at Chicago Sun-Times

• Is the Flamingo endangered? Trump fires workers who look after federal artwork; The General Services Administration owns a wide assortment of collector-quality sculptures, paintings and other art from top-tier artists, most of it accessible to the public and now at risk under President Trump, Chicago Sun-Times Editorial Board, 3/20/25
• Chicago’s 20th Century Public Sculptures, A 2017 Chicago 7 Most Endangered