Rockford’s ‘Symbol’ landmark remains a topic of intrigue and debate

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Standing nearly 50 feet tall at Sinnissippi Park, the steel sculpture known as “Symbol” has been a local landmark for decades and continues to spark curiosity and debate.

Designed in 1978 by Russian sculptor Alexander Liberman, “Symbol” was constructed with a price tag of just over $117,000.

“It was part of a federal arts grant, but we helped raise about $50,000 in Rockford to help fund the statue,” said Luke Fredrickson, marketing director at Midway Village Museum.

Initially erected in the middle of West State Street just west of the Wyman Street intersection, “Symbol” was part of the old downtown pedestrian mall. Fredrickson said the mall and the sculpture were intended to boost traffic and revitalize the area, which had been struggling since the tollway came in several years earlier.

By 1984, the sculpture was deemed a bit out of place in its original location.

“It was just too crowded here,” said downtown advocate Gary Carlson. “So, they took it down and put it in storage.”

Later, “Symbol” was reassembled at its current spot in Sinnissippi Park, where overlooks the Auburn Street/Highway 251 interchange.

So, what does ‘Symbol’ symbolize?

“It doesn’t look like anything in particular,” Fredrickson said. “But it sort of has an industrial look that harkens back to Rockford’s industrial heritage and metal-working industries.”

For locals, the sculpture holds varied meanings. To Taylor Beck, of Rockford, even though it wasn’t designed by a local artist, it’s a nod to the city’s creative side.

“Rockford is known for its art community, and there’s art everywhere,” Beck said. “So I just figured it was a piece of art.”

Beck’s friend, Natalie Bagley, said “Symbol” has come to represent everything about the Forest City.

“There’s no other symbol like it,” she said. “So it always makes me think Rockford. It makes me think abstract.”

The color. Is ‘Symbol’ red or orange?

“It’s not orange,” Carlson said. “It’s Liberman red.”