Magnificent Mile in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Wings of Mexico
May – October 2022
Wings of Mexico is the work with the most social impact in the career of the sculptor Jorge Marín. Both permanently and temporarily, this sculpture has traveled the world for more than a decade, inviting the community to make it its own and turn it into a contemporary icon. The audience and, very especially, the migrants, have made these Wings a reflection of his aspirations and hopes. Likewise, Chicago today is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city where migratory movements have found success stories and numerous artistic manifestations among its members.
The Consulate General of Mexico in Chicago, the Government of the City of Chicago and the Jorge Marín Foundation propose a new installation of Wings of Mexico in an iconic place: the Plaza de las Americas. This venue, inaugurated on April 20, 1963, stands out not only for its location but also as a living homage to Simón Bolívar through the Pan-American union. The thirty-four Latin American flags of the countries that comprises the OAS wave in the square, surrounding a statue of Benito Juárez that was donated in 1999.
This venue represents a turning point in Jorge Marín's career. Wings of Mexico set foot for the first time in an exceptional setting like Chicago, building a bridge for social construction and democratization of culture in dialogue with Contemporary Art History.
Alas de México es la obra con más impacto social en la trayectoria del escultor Jorge Marin. De manera tanto permanente como temporal, esta escultura ha recorrido el mundo desde hace más de una década, haciendo que la comunidad se apropie de ella y la convierta en un icono contemporáneo. El público y, muy especialmente, los migrantes, han hecho de estas Alas un reflejo de sus aspiraciones y esperanzas. Igualmente, Chicago es hoy una ciudad vibrante y cosmopolita donde los movimientos migratorios han encontrado entre sus integrantes historias de éxito y numerosas manifestaciones plásticas.
El consulado General de México en Chicago, el Gobierno de la Ciudad de Chicago y la Fundación Jorge Marin proponen una nueva instalación de Alas de México en un lugar icónico: la Plaza de las Américas. Esta sede, inaugurada el 20 de abril de 1963, destaca no solo por su ubicación sino como un homenaje a Simón Bolivar mediante la unión panamericana que aquí se representa. En la plaza ondean las treinta y cuatro banderas latinoamericanas de los países que conforman la OEA, rodeando una estatua de Benito Juárez que fue donada en 1999.
Esta sede supone un punto de infiexión en la carrera de Jorge Marin. Alas de México, se presentan por primera vez en un escenario excepcional como Chicago, tendiendo un puente para la construcción social y la democratización
de la cultura en diálogo con la Historia del Arte contemporáneo.
Erected 2022.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Hispanic Americans • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical date for this entry is April 20, 1963.
Location. 41° 53.41′ N, 87° 37.465′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Magnificent Mile. It is on North Michigan Avenue south of East Illinois Street, on the right when traveling south. The marker is in the Plaza of the Americas, immediately north of the Wrigley Building and above Hubbard Street, which runs beneath the Plaza. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 430 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago IL 60611, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest and on the Great Lakes. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Jorge Marín (here, next to this marker); Benito Juárez (a few steps from this marker); World Famous Billy Goat Tavern & Grill (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named World Famous Billy Goat Tavern & Grill (a few steps from this marker); Catherine and Jean-Baptiste Point du Sable (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Benito Juárez (within shouting distance of this marker);
Jack Brickhouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Tribune Tower (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.
More about this marker. The marker faces north on a three-sided display. A southeast-facing panel includes thank-yous to the various groups responsible for bringing Wings of Mexico to Chicago. A third panel, facing southwest, is a separate marker devoted to sculptor Jorge Marín. The "Wings of Mexico" themselves are about 20 feet away to the west.
Regarding Wings of Mexico. The Wings of Mexico is a traveling exhibit, and this display had originally been slated to leave the Plaza of the Americas in October 2022, about six months after installation. However, in April 2024 the National Association of Realtors, which maintains the city-owned plaza adjacent to the group's headquarters at 430 N. Michigan Ave., acquired the Wings, in conjunction with their building's property manager GNP Realty Partners, to make them a permanent feature.
Also see . . .
1. Chicago’s “Wings” Will Continue to Spread Over the Magnificent Mile. A news release from GNP Realty Partners, which serves as property manager for the National Association of Realtors headquarters building on North Michigan Avenue.
Excerpt: "Less than two years after the temporary installation of the photo-op favorite Wings of Mexico bronze sculpture in the Plaza of the Americas on N. Michigan in Chicago, the long-standing collaboration between the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) and GNP Realty Partners will enable the sculpture to remain, where it attracts significant pedestrian admirers—especially during the busy summer tourist season. Wings of Mexico is a pair of human-sized angel wings positioned so an individual can pose for a photo or selfie, creating a visual of themself as an angel with wings."(Submitted on November 4, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
2. Wings of Mexico: A Unique Exhibit in Chicago. From Glancer Magazine
Excerpt: "The 'Wings of Mexico' will celebrate Chicago as a sanctuary city that is at the forefront of the defense of immigrant and refugee communities."(Submitted on June 27, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 27, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 2,098 times since then and 243 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 27, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.


