Man With Fish

The 16-foot-tall piece of public art, which was created by German artist Stephan Balkenhol, shows a man embracing a fish that is spitting water out of its mouth. It symbolizes humans’ love and fascination with aquatic life and the responsibility people have for caring for the world’s lakes, rivers, and oceans.

The only fish that can speak in the Shedd Aquarium's more than 32,500 fish population is this large fish. As part of Statue Stories Chicago, a citywide public art initiative, you can click the QR code next to the statue and hear a script written by actor Chris Redd of The Second City and voiced by actor Steve Carell.

Unfortunately, Man with Fish hasn't always garnered positive reviews. Despite the fact that the artist is known for creating lifelike human forms with inoffensive, emotionless expressions, many people consider the sculpture to be the ugliest statue in Chicago. Some attribute this to the man's overly enthusiastic expression while hugging the enormous fish. Some people find the entire design odd and confusing.

What is great about this water-spewing oddity is that it’s fun. Not every artist creates a Venus de Milo, and that’s okay. So, hats off to Man with Fish and its designer. After taking in the statue, check out Shedd Aquarium and the nearby Lake Michigan shoreline.

• Founded: 2001
• Designer: Stephan Balkenhol
  
• Google rating: N/A
  
• Address: 1200 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605