EDGEWATER — If you spot a dark, towering, skeleton-like figure seemingly watching you from a hill near Foster Beach along the Lakefront Trail, don't be alarmed.
It's "Striding Figure" (or "Large Walking Figure 1"), a new art installation from the Chicago Park District and Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events.
The gigantic sculpture is 15½ feet tall, over 6 feet wide, and at an angle, stretches 9 feet in length.
It was installed Tuesday afternoon, with a crane hoisting it into place.
For those who have seen it, the massive bronze "Figure" is different — but that's not necessarily a bad thing.
"I thought that it was a strange piece, but I like strange, so I was excited about it," said Gabrielle Rogers, who saw the statue being set in place.
Another resident, David Hackett, said it reminded him of a famous moviemaker known for creative interpretations.
"I think it's kind of creepy, but overall I like it," Hackett said. "Gives me a Tim Burton-Wicker Man vibe."
Another passerby who used the Lakefront Trail on Wednesday morning called it "spooky."
It's not a permanent installation, but will be up at least a year, city officials said.
The work was done by British artist Thomas Houseago, who now lives in Los Angeles. Photos of "Striding Figure" appear in Houseago's Instagram feed from last month with captions that read the 2013 piece was "getting ready for Chicago." It previously was in Leeds, England.
The structure was cast at Blue Mountain Fine Arts facility in Baker City, Ore.
A small sign posted by the Chicago Park District near the statue asks the public to admire, but not touch, the figure.
Photos by Linze Rice.
