Martin Creed. Work No. 1357, MOTHERS, 2012. White neon, steel. 22.4 x 47.6 feet (6.8 x 14.5 m). Courtesy of the artist and Gavin Brown’s enterprise, New York. Installation view, Martin Creed Plays Chicago, MCA Chicago, 2012. Photo: Nathan Keay, © MCA Chicago.

“Why only mothers? Why not women in general?”

“I like it because I’m pregnant. Baby is on the mind.”

“My first thought was, ‘Hey! I’m one!’”

“It’s a very strong statement.”

“I mean . . . it’s just plain cool.”

“The piece is very applicable to us. We’re on a mothers’ getaway weekend.”

“I appreciate the kinetic aspect of the piece.”

“Honor your mother!”

“Where’d they get the beams to make sure it’s structurally sound?”

“I didn’t understand it at first and I still don’t. You know, like, why does it rest on that pedestal? Things like that.”

“I like being able to be under it. I also loved the idea of a big neon THING going around and around and beaming out at night.”

“Mothers make the world go around.”

Martin Creed: “Work No. 1357, MOTHERS” from MCA Chicago on Vimeo.

Here is the story in photos.

All images: Martin Creed: Work No. 1357, MOTHERS, 2012 (MCA Chicago Plaza Project, install in progress). White neon, steel. 22.4 x 47.6 feet (6.8 x 14.5 m). Courtesy of the artist and Gavin Brown’s enterprise, New York. Photo: Abraham Ritchie, © MCA Chicago.