Obamalisk

"Tower of Power"

Tower of Power

The Princeton Alumni Weekly¹ shows this tower of power, recently completed for $850 million, privately funded. Its official name is the Obama Presidential Center, located in Chicago. This view of the building shows its most interesting side.

If you liked Obama, you probably love this building. If you despised Obama, you probably despise this building. If you are neither political nor an architect, you are probably indifferent.

Peter Keating, the patsy architect of Ayn Rand’s famous novel, The Fountainhead, would also be indifferent. It’s just a building, nothing to look at, nothing to get excited about.

In effect, this building demonstrates the wisdom of Ayn Rand’s definition of art:

Art is a selective re-creation of reality according to the artist’s
metaphysical value judgments.

Put simply, artists create what they regard as important.

The architects, long-time partners, Tod Williams and Billie Tsien, wince at the nickname, “Obamalisk.” Another name is Obamausoleum.

PW reports that:

“They didn’t originally envision such a monumental tower. It was Obama who egged them on to go larger and louder, but they unapologetically own the finished design and are taking the gibes in stride. PAW quotes Williams, “To say it doesn’t sting would be wrong.”

However, the description of the vast interior spaces sounds awesome and inspiring, so if you are in or around Chicago and have the opportunity to visit, let me know. I would expect the interior to be nothing less than liberating.

One final, undeniable fact: Howard Roark would have walked away.

1. July/August 2026