---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Chicago does not go to the world, the…"
description: "\"“Chicago does not go to the world, the world comes to Chicago! Who needs New York? Who has taller buildings than our tall buildings? Who's got a busier..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c0/peter-orner-12957_artist_chicago-does-not-go-to-the-world-the-wor_644177.png"
---

#  Chicago does not go to the world, the world comes to…

![“Chicago does not go to the world, the world comes to Chicago! Who needs New York? Who has taller buildings than our tall buildings? Who's got a busier airport than our airport? You want Picasso? We got Picasso, big Picasso. Nobody can make heads or tails of it. It's a lion? No, a seahorse. Looks…” quote by Peter Orner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c0/peter-orner-12957_artist_chicago-does-not-go-to-the-world-the-wor_644177.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c0/peter-orner-12957_artist_chicago-does-not-go-to-the-world-the-wor_644177.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c0/peter-orner-12957_artist_chicago-does-not-go-to-the-world-the-wor_644177.png)

> ““Chicago does not go to the world, the world comes to Chicago! Who needs New York? Who has taller buildings than our tall buildings? Who's got a busier airport than our airport? You want Picasso? We got Picasso, big Picasso. Nobody can make heads or tails of it. It's a lion? No, a seahorse. Looks to me like a radiator with wings. Who gives a damn, people, a Picasso's a Picasso.””

[Peter Orner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-orner/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The speaker boasts Chicago’s superiority over other cities, emphasizing its cultural and infrastructural prominence while dismissing criticism.

**In simple terms:** Chicago is presented as unmatched and self‑confident.

Key Takeaway

Embrace local pride and showcase unique assets.

Themes

city pride competition culture confidence

Mood

proud defiant energetic

Type

promotional assertive cultural

When to use this quote

- tourism promotion
- city marketing
- cultural events
- airport expansion
- art exhibitions

Key Concepts

urban identity branding self‑assertion

Questions to Reflect On

- How can cities collaborate while celebrating uniqueness?
- What impact does bravado have on civic image?

A Different Perspective

May overlook other cities’ contributions or foster rivalry.

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[Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Chicago](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chicago/) [City](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/city/) [Heads or tails](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heads-or-tails/)

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