The Runners, a 16-foot Greek sculpture, is located along the I-190 embankment leading to International Terminal 5 at O'Hare International Airport.
George Leclaire/gleclaire@dailyherald.com
A celebration of human, not aeronautical, speed is a hard-to-miss new exhibit at O'Hare International Airport.
Chicago Department of Aviation and Greek government administrators dedicated the “The Runners,” a 16-foot sculpture, today.
The artwork depicts five runners from ancient times to the present day. Located just south of I-190, the piece created by sculptor Theodoros Papagiannis is easily spotted by drivers headed to and from the airport.
The sculpture is a tribute to the friendship between Chicago and its sister city Athens and was supported by the local Greek-American community, officials said.
Aviation Commissioner Rosemarie S. Andolino said the sculpture is a significant addition to the airport's artwork collection.
“This is the largest and most expensive project undertaken by a Sister City's committee and we've been so impressed by the Greek community's dedication to and passion for this project,” said Demetrios Kozonis, chairman of the Athens Committee of Sister Cities International, in a statement.
Papagiannis is a professor at the School of Fine Arts in Athens.
A small cutout of The Runners sculpture is located above the information area inside International Terminal 5 at OHare International Airport.
George Leclaire/gleclaire@dailyherald.com
A dedication ceremony for The Runners, a 16-foot sculpture by Greek artist Dr. Theodoros Papagiannis, was held at OHare International Airport on Tuesday.
George Leclaire/gleclaire@dailyherald.com
The Runners, a 16-foot sculpture dedicated Tuesday at OHare International Airport, is a tribute to the friendship between Chicago and its sister city Athens and was supported by the local Greek-American community.
George Leclaire/gleclaire@dailyherald.com
The Runners, a 16-foot Greek sculpture, is located along the I-190 embankment leading to International Terminal 5 at OHare International Airport.
George Leclaire/gleclaire@dailyherald.com
Bill Kurtis, WBBM Channel 2 anchor, speaks at the dedication ceremony for The Runners at OHare International Airport on Tuesday. The sculpture, by Dr. Theodoros Papagiannis, was donated by the Athens Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International and was installed along the I-190 embankment leading to International Terminal 5.
George Leclaire/gleclaire@dailyherald.com