Entry No. 34 — the Chicago file — filed under: outdoor
Shit Fountain
On the corner of a quiet residential block, a bronze coil shaped unmistakably like a mound of dog excrement sits atop a stone pedestal, water trickling down it into a shallow basin. Artist Jerzy Kenar installed it on his own property in 2005 out of frustration with neighbors who let their dogs foul his flowers. It sits on private land, so the city stays out of it, and locals have grown weirdly fond of the thing.
The story
Jerzy S. Kenar is not some internet prankster looking for cheap laughs. The Polish-born sculptor is best known across Chicago for high-minded, sacred art—sculpting liturgical furnishings, holy water fonts, and chapel doors. But back in 2005, Kenar reached his absolute limit with local dog owners who treated his East Village flowerbeds like a public restroom and refused to scoop the evidence.
Rather than putting up a generic, ignored lawn sign, Kenar opted for bronze. He sculpted a life-sized, coiled pile of dog excrement, mounted it on a three-foot sandstone pedestal, rigged it with a continuous trickle of water to keep it glistening, and unveiled it to his neighbors at a Fourth of July party. Because he installed the piece squarely on his own private lawn at 1001 North Wolcott Avenue, city hall officials couldn't touch it.
Two decades later, the passive-aggressive monument still trickles away on the corner. What started as one artist's petty revenge against lazy pet owners has quietly morphed into one of the neighborhood's most prized outdoor sculptures—a constant, glistening reminder that someone is always watching your dog.
What it's like
You will find the fountain sitting quietly in front of a residential building at the corner of Wolcott and Augusta, right along the sidewalk edge. It is easy to miss if you aren't looking down, as there are no signs, gift shops, or queue lines—just a bronze coil dripping water on a tree-lined residential block. People stroll past, snap a deadpan selfie, and move on with their day. If you bring a dog along for the walk, make sure you actually have poop bags in hand; Kenar's garden is right behind the sculpture, and you do not want to end up in his next installation.
The move: Walk over for a deadpan photo with the city's most defiant piece of public art, then wander Ukrainian Village for coffee.
- 📍 East Village / Ukrainian Village
- 💸 Free
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Outdoors
Where: 1001 N Wolcott Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
Hours: Added 2026-06-23 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Sportsman's Club — Walk seven blocks south down Wolcott to this dimly lit neighborhood tavern to discuss local spite art over a cocktail.
- Piva Beer Spa — Trade outdoor satire for indoor soaking six blocks north in private wooden tubs filled with beer extract, hops, and warm water.
- Bordel — Head a short distance north into Wicker Park to find a candlelit Parisian-style cabaret hidden above Mama Delia.
Good to know
Where exactly is Shit Fountain located?
It sits on private property at 1001 N Wolcott Ave, at the intersection of Wolcott Avenue and Augusta Boulevard in Chicago's East Village.
Who created the sculpture and why?
Polish artist Jerzy S. Kenar installed it in July 2005 out of frustration with neighbors who allowed their dogs to defecate in his garden flowers without picking up.
Does the water actually run?
Yes, water trickles continuously over the bronze coil down into a shallow stone basin below.
Why hasn't the city of Chicago removed it?
Because the fountain sits entirely on private residential land, municipal authorities have no legal standing to force its removal.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Atlas Obscura · Yelp · abc7chicago.com · dnainfo.com · citydays.com · Time Out
last checked: 2026-06-23