Siskel and Ebert bronze statue planned for Chicago in 2028
Wanxiang America Real Estate Group says the life size sculpture, titled "Siskel and Ebert: Two Thumbs Up", will stand at the One Two Pru complex.
Wanxiang America Real Estate Group announced on Thursday that a life size bronze statue of film critics Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert will be installed in downtown Chicago, with an unveiling scheduled for 2028.
The work is titled "Siskel and Ebert: Two Thumbs Up" and will stand at the One Two Pru office complex, near Millennium Park and The Magnificent Mile. It depicts the pair in their trademark thumbs up pose, seated in their theater seats, which visitors will be able to sit in for a photo.
The sculpture is being made by Preston Jackson, professor emeritus of sculpture at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Funding comes from a Heritage Auctions sale of movie memorabilia and from private donations, according to Bleeding Cool.
Siskel and Ebert began writing about movies for the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Sun-Times respectively in the 1960s. They teamed up for their first review show on Chicago public access station WTTW in 1975 and went on to host nationally syndicated shows for more than 25 years.
Siskel died in 1999. Ebert continued with a rotating group of co-hosts, including Richard Roeper, and died in 2013.
Quick answers
When will the Siskel and Ebert statue be unveiled?
The statue is scheduled to be unveiled in 2028, according to the announcement.
Where will the Siskel and Ebert statue stand?
At the One Two Pru office complex in downtown Chicago, near Millennium Park and The Magnificent Mile.
Who is making the statue?
Preston Jackson, professor emeritus of sculpture at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.