It can be easy to stroll by the statues scattered around our city and not pay too much attention. When you live in a place, or even when you visit as a tourist, taking the time to read the plaque about the person, their story and their significance doesn’t easily find its way into your day. Well, the city of Chicago’s got your back. They’ve chosen 30 statues that will provide a recorded narrative and all you have to do to get it is hold up your smartphone up to you ear and listen. The project is called “Statue Stories Chicago,” and it launched Thursday. What you hear is a two or three-minute long message that tells tales about the historical figure or artwork — all of them in the voices of actors and Chicagoans of note. The Bean, for example is voiced by David Schwimmer. Joining us with more on this project are Colette Hiller, who launched the project in London and brought Talking Statues to Chicago, along with poet and activist Malcolm London and writer Blue Balliett, who wrote monologues for some of the statues featured. (Flickr/jmcmichael)