Chicago really is my kind of town...next to Paris that is! After a very brief and action packed weekend visiting friends, I got a chance to take in some of the architectural and artistic sights of one of the most beautiful and friendly cities on the planet! While food and beverage are high on my list of priorities, so is architecture and design, and I was clamoring to see the new modern wing of the Art Institute of Chicago designed by Pritzker Prize winning architect, Renzo Piano.
North facade of modern wing, photographed by John Faier, 2008The modern wing houses 20th and 21st century art such as modern European paintings and sculpture, photography, architecture and design, and contemporary art. I was particularly thrilled to see one of my favorite contemporary artists, Cy Twombly's exhibit, "The Natural World, Selected Works 2000-2007." His bold splashes of color and abstract interpretations of the sea, land and botanicals are truly unique and spectacular up close and personal.
Cy Twombly, Untitled Red Peonies, 2007Not displayed in the modern wing but an exhibit I could not miss was, "Beyond Golden Clouds" featuring Japanese screens from the 16th century. While I am doing research for my upcoming trip to Tokyo, I am inspired by all things Japanese lately, thus found it inspiring rather than redundant to see the artistry of the hand-painted screens. I am sure I will get my fill of painted silks and papers while in Japan but to stumble upon the richness of these gold leafed panels was truly breathtaking and not to be forgotten!
While I could spend hours touring the museum, something else was beckoning me in the distance. As I walked onto Monroe Street, the lovely Millenium Garden was just the right introduction to the massive structure peering out amidst the flora and fauna. While my eyes saw wonderment, my ears heard beautiful sounds of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. The Pritzker Pavilion designed by my favorite architect, Frank Gehry, was the perfect design antidote on the horizon! The twisted, torn curls of sheet metal and sweeping trellis formation spanning the grassy knoll was in sharp contrast to the straight, cautious lines of Piano's metal and glass facade of the museum. Architectural diatribes aside, I was only thinking about being amidst creative genius and in a state of cultural bliss!
Grassy knoll of Pritzker Pavilion
To conclude my weekend, I took the architectural boat tour along the Chicago River. While it wouldn't be fair to show you all the sights and ruin the experience...here are a few of my favorite buildings. Pardon my memory as I don't recall the significance of all the structures. I just know they stood out significantly in my mind as being architectural masterpieces! -B.H.
The Willis Tower- formerly the Sears Tower
Amazing glass building with concrete balconies. What texture!
Reminiscent of an art nouveau building (windows especially) you'd see by Antonio Gaudi
