<p>The internationally acclaimed artist Sanford Biggers will create a 30-foot tall sculpture inspired by 19th century quilt patterns for Google's Chicago headquarters, the tech giant announced Wednesday.</p><p>Called Vector, the angular, winding sculpture will be composed of glazed terra cotta panels — a contrast to the glassy and rounded headquarters and its now-muted exterior colors brought about by the building's current renovation.</p><p>"The quilt is interesting to me because it is sort of the repository of American culture, in a lot of ways," said Biggers, 56, a Los Angeles artist who lived in Chicago while earning his master's at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in the 1990s.</p><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center>
<div class="Enhancement-item" data-crop="">
<figure class="Figure"><a class="AnchorLink" id="image-ec0000" name="image-ec0000"></a>
<picture data-crop="medium">
<source type="image/webp" width="490"
height="275"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/f693dd9/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2100×1179+0+111/resize/490×275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F19%2F6f%2Fa2260d5743f79e06f7c083f7d739%2Fbey-2.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/8bcbbdb/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2100×1179+0+111/resize/980×550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F19%2F6f%2Fa2260d5743f79e06f7c083f7d739%2Fbey-2.jpg 2x" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<source width="490"
height="275"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/484ba55/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2100×1179+0+111/resize/490×275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F19%2F6f%2Fa2260d5743f79e06f7c083f7d739%2Fbey-2.jpg" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<img class="Image" alt="Black-and-white portrait of Los Angeles-based artist Sanford Biggers" srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/484ba55/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2100×1179+0+111/resize/490×275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F19%2F6f%2Fa2260d5743f79e06f7c083f7d739%2Fbey-2.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/740e124/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2100×1179+0+111/resize/980×550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F19%2F6f%2Fa2260d5743f79e06f7c083f7d739%2Fbey-2.jpg 2x" width="490" height="275"
data-src="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/484ba55/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2100×1179+0+111/resize/490×275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F19%2F6f%2Fa2260d5743f79e06f7c083f7d739%2Fbey-2.jpg" data-lazy-load="true" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
>
</picture>
<div class="Figure-content"><figcaption class="Figure-caption"><p>Los Angeles-based artist Sanford Biggers</p></figcaption><span class="line"></span><div class="Figure-credit"><p>Courtesy of Alex Freund</p></div></div>
</figure>
</div>
</div><p>"There's also rumored stories of [quilts] being used along the Underground Railroad as a coded symbol, but I'm also very interested in the geometry and the pattern and the craftsmanship of the objects themselves," Biggers said. "Vector is actually handmade tiles that I've made with existing quilts in mind."</p><p>Google Vice President and Chicago Site Lead Mike Miller said the sculpture "will be a continuation of the artist’s celebrated <a class="Link" href="https://www.heinzawards.org/pages/sanford-biggers" target="_blank" >Codex series</a>, in which Biggers explores the hidden meanings and sacred geometries found within antique quilts."</p><p>Miller said the artist worked with the 19th century quilt collections of local institutions such as the Illinois State Museum and the Chicago History Museum, in a bid to make sure the patterns of Vector's glazed terra cotta panels reflect the state's history.</p><p>The sculpture, expected to be completed next year, will be set in place on the plaza near where Jean Dubuffet's 29-foot tall Monument with Standing Beast stood during the building's previous life as the state-owned James R. Thompson Center.</p><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center>
<div class="Enhancement-item" data-crop="">
<figure class="Figure"><a class="AnchorLink" id="image-8c0000" name="image-8c0000"></a>
<picture data-crop="medium">
<source type="image/webp" width="490"
height="275"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/15ce6b8/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5846×3281+0+571/resize/490×275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F70%2Fe7%2F5b0ff0a641b6877fefc24a784000%2Fsculpture-6.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/644067e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5846×3281+0+571/resize/980×550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F70%2Fe7%2F5b0ff0a641b6877fefc24a784000%2Fsculpture-6.jpg 2x" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<source width="490"
height="275"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/8e1d2b4/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5846×3281+0+571/resize/490×275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F70%2Fe7%2F5b0ff0a641b6877fefc24a784000%2Fsculpture-6.jpg" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<img class="Image" alt="Monument with Standing Beast by artist Jean Dubuffet in front of the James R. Thompson Center in 2022." srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/8e1d2b4/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5846×3281+0+571/resize/490×275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F70%2Fe7%2F5b0ff0a641b6877fefc24a784000%2Fsculpture-6.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/cedc68b/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5846×3281+0+571/resize/980×550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F70%2Fe7%2F5b0ff0a641b6877fefc24a784000%2Fsculpture-6.jpg 2x" width="490" height="275"
data-src="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/8e1d2b4/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5846×3281+0+571/resize/490×275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F70%2Fe7%2F5b0ff0a641b6877fefc24a784000%2Fsculpture-6.jpg" data-lazy-load="true" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
>
</picture>
<div class="Figure-content"><figcaption class="Figure-caption"><p>Monument with Standing Beast by artist Jean Dubuffet in front of the James R. Thompson Center in 2022.</p></figcaption><span class="line"></span><div class="Figure-credit"><p>Brian Rich/Sun-Times file</p></div></div>
</figure>
</div>
</div><p>"I walked past that Dubuffet many, many, many times [to go into] the building," Biggers said. "Used the train there many times. So to be asked back into the city to do a very large, significant, permanent piece is a huge honor just in general … but also to try to fill-in the shoes of one of my favorite pieces is sort of daunting, but at the same time, a challenge that I am very lucky to embark on."</p><p>The work also joins Downtown's globally-known public art Dream Team that includes the Picasso at Daley Plaza, Alexander Calder's Flamingo in Federal Plaza and The Sun, the Moon and One Star by artist<i> </i>Joan Miró at 69 W. Washington St.</p><p>Vector would be the group's first sculpture designed by a Black artist.</p><p>"I don't think it's too much of a stretch," — Biggers laughs a little here — "to be in that corridor with those other artists who I have looked up to and learned from."</p><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center>
<div class="Enhancement-item" data-crop="">
<figure class="Figure"><a class="AnchorLink" id="image-eb0000" name="image-eb0000"></a>
<picture data-crop="medium">
<source type="image/webp" width="490"
height="275"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3e41df0/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2100×1179+0+111/resize/490×275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F20%2Fd2%2Fa663985f4dd78e82a814667891a3%2Fbey-3.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/793946f/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2100×1179+0+111/resize/980×550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F20%2Fd2%2Fa663985f4dd78e82a814667891a3%2Fbey-3.jpg 2x" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<source width="490"
height="275"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/969d9ea/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2100×1179+0+111/resize/490×275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F20%2Fd2%2Fa663985f4dd78e82a814667891a3%2Fbey-3.jpg" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<img class="Image" alt="Rendering of the Thompson Center showing artist Sanford Biggers' Vector sculpture in front of the building's main entrance." srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/969d9ea/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2100×1179+0+111/resize/490×275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F20%2Fd2%2Fa663985f4dd78e82a814667891a3%2Fbey-3.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/84305fe/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2100×1179+0+111/resize/980×550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F20%2Fd2%2Fa663985f4dd78e82a814667891a3%2Fbey-3.jpg 2x" width="490" height="275"
data-src="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/969d9ea/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2100×1179+0+111/resize/490×275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F20%2Fd2%2Fa663985f4dd78e82a814667891a3%2Fbey-3.jpg" data-lazy-load="true" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
>
</picture>
<div class="Figure-content"><figcaption class="Figure-caption"><p>Rendering of the Thompson Center showing artist Sanford Biggers’ Vector sculpture in front of the building’s main entrance.</p></figcaption><span class="line"></span><div class="Figure-credit"><p>Provided by Google</p></div></div>
</figure>
</div>
</div><p>Google also released a few new images depicting its headquarters' renovated atrium.</p><p>Renderings show the atrium's ground floor — where the food court used to be — will have a circular terraced seating area with retail space.</p><p>And Google said it's restoring the original rosette at the center of the floor. The company had planned to replace the design element.</p><p>"A new terrazzo will be poured and highlight the craftsmanship of the original design," a Google spokesperson said.</p><p>The atrium's original elevator glass wall and cabs will be restored, with additional artwork to come, the spokesperson added.</p><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center>
<div class="Enhancement-item" data-crop="">
<figure class="Figure"><a class="AnchorLink" id="image-c60000" name="image-c60000"></a>
<picture data-crop="medium">
<source type="image/webp" width="490"
height="275"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/30dd242/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6000×3367+0+460/resize/490×275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fba%2Fb7%2Fc9301f69469987d551af6b767a25%2F23055-105-grand-stairsrendering-illustrative-only-pixelflakes-for-goooge.jpeg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/01499f1/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6000×3367+0+460/resize/980×550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fba%2Fb7%2Fc9301f69469987d551af6b767a25%2F23055-105-grand-stairsrendering-illustrative-only-pixelflakes-for-goooge.jpeg 2x" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<source width="490"
height="275"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/58e3d77/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6000×3367+0+460/resize/490×275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fba%2Fb7%2Fc9301f69469987d551af6b767a25%2F23055-105-grand-stairsrendering-illustrative-only-pixelflakes-for-goooge.jpeg" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<img class="Image" alt="A rendering depicts Google's Grand Stairs area, at the base of the building's atrium." srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/58e3d77/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6000×3367+0+460/resize/490×275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fba%2Fb7%2Fc9301f69469987d551af6b767a25%2F23055-105-grand-stairsrendering-illustrative-only-pixelflakes-for-goooge.jpeg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/9934d7e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6000×3367+0+460/resize/980×550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fba%2Fb7%2Fc9301f69469987d551af6b767a25%2F23055-105-grand-stairsrendering-illustrative-only-pixelflakes-for-goooge.jpeg 2x" width="490" height="275"
data-src="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/58e3d77/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6000×3367+0+460/resize/490×275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fba%2Fb7%2Fc9301f69469987d551af6b767a25%2F23055-105-grand-stairsrendering-illustrative-only-pixelflakes-for-goooge.jpeg" data-lazy-load="true" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
>
</picture>
<div class="Figure-content"><figcaption class="Figure-caption"><p>A rendering depicts Google’s Grand Stairs area, at the base of the building’s atrium.</p></figcaption><span class="line"></span><div class="Figure-credit"><p>Provided by Google</p></div></div>
</figure>
</div>
</div><p>A previous plan would have created a new terrazzo atrium floor and placed an artistic decorative skin — maybe made of vinyl and stained glass — over the atrium’s exposed 17-story elevator system.</p><p>But the project hit the skids in January when the artists hired for the commission, Judy Chicago and her husband Donald Woodman, walked away due to <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/architecture-design/2026/02/16/judy-chicago-google-thompson-center-renovation-artistic-differences" target="_blank" >creative differences</a> with Google.</p><p>The atrium space has been but one point of concern and interest for preservationists and building-watchers because Google ditched the Helmut Jahn-designed building's Thompson Center-era glazing and Flash Gordon-like color scheme and design flourishes for design that — in the renderings, at least — feels more corporate by comparison.</p><p>The $280 million renovation is expected to finish in 2027.</p><div class="RelatedList Enhancement" data-module data-align-center>
<div class="RelatedList-title">Related</div>
<ul class="RelatedList-items">
<li class="RelatedList-items-item">
<a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/architecture-design/2026/02/16/judy-chicago-google-thompson-center-renovation-artistic-differences" >Artist Judy Chicago logs out of Google renovation project over artistic differences</a>
</li>
<li class="RelatedList-items-item">
<a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/real-estate/2024/05/06/thompson-center-google-prime-capri-redevelopment-loop-headquarters" >Google it! Thompson Center’s $280M redevelopment to become Google’s Chicago HQ kicks off</a>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p></p>
IUSTITIA.BG – Investigations 2009-2026 2026-09-16 05:41:03
Latest news World news Country news Most important news latest news most important latest of the day Justice Petar Nizamov Feathers Petar Nizamov- Feathers Justice bg iustitia.bg iustitia iusticia usticia investigation Burgas Bulgaria news news of the last hour news of the day news of today Bulgaria news The news from Bulgaria blitz news top news most important most commented latest news Boyko Borisov news weather coronavirus news news weather facebook youtube facebook instagram news today news of the last minutes news today today news news bg news leading news hot news bg news site for news all news news bg news of the last hour latest latest news bg news of today news today news today news of the last hour latest news today news bg news news 24 hours news vesti bg novini news world bird bg bivol bg bivol trud bg novini latest news today novinite bg news hello bulgaria political party coat of arms delyan peevski scandalous Bulgarian National Television Free Europe Television scandal exclusive live tv live right now tv tv online tv program bg live now tv news online tv online live court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas district court Burgas appellate court Burgas prosecutor Burgas prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev Prosecutor Geshev Tsatsarov Ministry of Internal Affairs Burgas ODMR Burgas ODPR Burgas police Burgas district police Burgas prosecutor Tsatsarov SGS cases Varna court chairman of the SGS court decisions on civil cases decisions on cases Plovdiv court decision of the court decisions cases Varna court criminal cases district district court decisions work in the court SGS chairman of the SGS judges Sofia court post judges Plovdiv court Plovdiv judges Plovdiv Supreme Court Inspectorate Supreme Court Supreme Judicial Council lawyer lawyer criminal cases lawyer civil cases lawyer marriage cases lawyer administrative criminal law criminal process civil law civil process administrative law constitutional law
