New Calatrava sculpture drawing eyes along Chicago River

Santiago Calatrava’s newest creation sits along the Chicago River, in front of the River Point office building, 444 W. Lake St. | Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times

Twisting feather? Dragon’s tail?

What the new sculpture designed by renowned Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava will ultimately come to be called by the masses is unclear.

It could end up being known simply as “The Calatrava” — like many of the architect’s other works around the world — but its official name is “Constellation.”

The 29-foot high aluminum sculpture was quietly unveiled last month on a patch of grass across the Chicago River from Wolf Point, near the Merchandise Mart. The fence around the sculpture was taken down Nov. 13 and finishing touches were completed just after Thanksgiving.

Signs will be the last thing to go up at the sculpture — including one reading something along the lines of: “Do not climb on this sculpture,” according to a person familiar with the project, which was commissioned by the owners of River Point office tower at 444 W. Lake St., steps away from the sculpture.

The sculpture was manufactured in Cleveland and shipped to Chicago for assembly in July. However, a crack found in one of the pieces delayed completion.

“The end result is excellent,” said Roger Machin, director of field operations for Methods and Materials, Inc., which oversaw installation of the sculpture.

“It’s a very striking location in the city and the color really stands out well,” he said, noting the reflection of the sculpture off the glass facades of nearby buildings lends a unique perspective.

Calatrava was also the architect of the failed “Chicago Spire” project that aimed to put a 2,000-foot condo tower along the lakefront near Navy Pier. Only its foundation had been completed before the project was scrapped, leaving a giant hole in the ground.

A new sculpture designed by Santiago Calatrava was manufactured in Cleveland and shipped to Chicago for assembly in July. However, a crack found in one of the pieces delayed completion. The piece, “Constellation,” was finished last month.