The Chicago Art Institute | My Bike Betty

Tag: The Chicago Art Institute
- A Peek at Intimate Works
  
  Posted at 10:44 pm by jan, on May 13, 2015
  
  On a super chilly, 47 degree Tuesday Betty and I headed over to the Art Institute for the exhibition, Ireland: Crossroads of Art and Design, 1690-1840. With over 300 works that include oil on canvas landscapes and portraiture, furniture, ceramics, metals, textiles, musical instruments, book art and design, it was the smaller pieces that interested me most.
  
  Betty’s Response: 47 degrees…this is mid-May right?! GEEZ!
  
  These portrait miniatures are no more than 4 inches in width or length.
  Sampson Towgood Roch
  An Artisan
  watercolor on ivory
  1788
  
  Nathaniel Hone
  Portrait of Sarah Sophia Banks
  gouache on ivory
  1768
  
  Nathaniel Hone
  Portrait of a Lady
  enamel on copper, mounted on a tortoiseshell box
  1750
  
  Transfer decoration after Adam Buck
  Partial Child’s Tea Service
  transfer-printed earthenware
  1810
  Adam Buck
  Portrait of a Woman (lower-left)
  watercolor on ivory
  1805
  
  Snuffbox inscribed “Richard Brinsley Sheridan”
  bloodstone with silver and gilt copper alloy mounts
  1775
  
  Memorandum Books
  
  Incredibly, these books made to log names, addresses, memos are no larger than a couple of inches in height and an inch and a half in width.
  
  Decorative Earthenware ceramics or Delft (Dutch and English)
  
  Although not a refined as the Delft, I love this piece!
  World’s End Pottery
  Epergne/Sweetmeat Dish
  tin-glazed earthenware
  1755/65
  
  Of the silver metalworks…
  
  these thimbles are favorites and lead me to the textiles.
  1768
  
  A book of dress patterns.
  
  Needlework Panel
  wool and canvas
  1738
  
  Portable Harp
  about 1820
  Upright Piano
  about 1790
  
  Kit/Pochette
  Early 19th century
  Cither Viol
  1794
  
  Decanter Stand
  About 1760
  
  Betty was particularly interested in this Traveling Set.
  Abraham Tuppy
  silver, steel, and rosewood with silver mounts
  1786/87
  
  And last a little eye candy…
  
  19th century crystal and brass chandelier!
  
  So keep in mind I’ve only showed you a fraction of this show. However, the exhibition will be on display until June 21. Woo! Many thanks to the Art Institute for the detail information about each work posted.
  
  Ok! Betty and I are off but before we go, please!!! …get out there, explore, discover, and please SHOW ME WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW!
  
  Posted in An Extension To All, Museums, Galleries, Cultural Centers | 0 Comments | Tagged The Chicago Art Institute
- South Bound
  
  Posted at 5:56 pm by jan, on October 15, 2014
  
  Inhibition: To explore the Lakeshore Trail beyond my comfort zone.
  
  Betty’s response: That’s where discovery begins.
  
  Experience: My ride on the Lakeshore trail began right off Michigan and Oak street. From there I headed south for a lovely ride.
  
  Getting closer to Navy Pier…
  
  Boogied around Navy Pier and onward…
  
  Artist, Orly Genger
  
  Bye bye city…
  
  Hello nature! Burnham Wldlife Corridor and Bird Sanctuary…about 9 miles into my ride.
  
  Tree Sculpture installations the further south you go…
  
  What city? Where?
  
  Gorgeous fall colors everywhere as I travel back to the city…
  
  A great snap of the Museum Campus…
  
  Magritte: The Mystery of the Ordinary, 1926-1938, The Art Institute of Chicago
  
  After an awesome ride I headed straight to the Art Institute to say goodbye to the Magritte exhibition and hello to Jaume Plensa’s 3-D extension of “1004 Portraits.”
  
  Millennium Park Chicago: Jaume Plensa’s Crown Fountain in the background and new 3-D additions beside Betty. The sculptures, four Chicago girls, “Laura”, “Paula”, “Ines” (three seen here), are inspired from the original 1004 portraits taken for Crown Fountain.
  
  Girl number one, “Looking Into My Dreams, Awilda” is located at the entrance of Millennium Park…
  
  And as for what I didn’t know, perhaps at this point in the project it’s more relevant to say, and what has become a weekly affirmation, exploration and new experiences are so exciting, liberating, fulfilling and FUN!
  
  So to all those in need of inspiration, challenge yourself! Get out there and SHOW ME WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW!!!!
  
  Posted in An Extension To All, Museums, Galleries, Cultural Centers | 0 Comments | Tagged Chicago Lakeshore Trail, Jaume Plensa, Rene Magritte, The Chicago Art Institute
- World Fair Trade Day
  
  Posted at 6:24 pm by jan, on May 12, 2014
  
  World Trade Fair Day at Daly Plaza, 50 W. Washington
  
  Inhibition: If I attend will I be pressured to “sign-up” or contribute to a cause.
  
  Betty’s Response: I hope so.
  
  Experience: This past week Betty and I rode downtown to the World Fair Trade event held at Daly Plaza. As of 2011 Chicago is recognized by Fair Trade Towns USA as the largest fair trade city in the U.S. Therefore once a year Chicago joins over 1,000 cities around the world to celebrate and bring awareness to fair trade and the choices we can all make. Vendors displayed clothing, accessories, handbags, scarves, dolls, instruments, body products, and textiles to name a few (http://www.chicagofairtrade.org).
  
  What I Didn’t Know: First of all I didn’t know this organization existed, http://www.chicagofairtrade.org. Second, I felt no pressure to join but immediately wanted to support what’s logical, humane, and responsible. I chose to purchase a throw recycled from the saris once worn by the Indian women who make them (www.motifltd.com). Each sari throw is of course unique, very soft, and best yet permeated with hope that comes with economic opportunity.
  
  No pressure what-so-ever! I was privileged to purchase this lovely throw from Motif in Bangladesh.
  
  What I do know: The evolution of the works on paper, photography, and paintings of Christopher Wool at the Art Institute was incredibly inspirational. I especially love, and can relate to, the point of reference he works from…
  
  The Chicago Art Institute
  
  I also know that Lockdown Bar and Grill has some seriously tasty burgers and a delightful beer menu (Tuesdays 1/2 price burgers)…
  
  Lockdown Bar and Grill, 1024 N Western
  
  and last on my way home, as Betty and I rode past Logan Theater and noticed that the documentary, Ty’s List was featured at 7:30 it’s best to pull over. Lucky me, it’s 7:26 and I see a film, made by friends, honoring Tyler Lorenzi who died at 23 in a tragic boating accident but during his short life inspired all those who loved him to embrace life as an adventure and live it to the fullest! Beautiful! (http://www.tyslist-themovie.com)
  
  So a big extension to all from Betty and me…GET OUT THERE AND SHOW ME WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW!!!
  
  Posted in An Extension To All, Eats | 0 Comments | Tagged The Chicago Art Institute, World Trade Fair Day Chicago
- Snowy Depictions Past and Present
  
  Posted at 7:28 pm by jan, on January 18, 2014
  
  Inhibition: To ride while it’s snowing and 17 degrees. Also I am considering the commitment to attend a gallery talk or art lecture once a week for the remainder of the year…and to be clear, it’s not that I don’t want to attend these but more about simply being tired (sometimes :).
  
  Betty’s Response: Riding in the snow suits me fine …and look lazy-ass, when you’re dead you can rest it up.
  
  Experience: This Thursday Betty and I headed over to the Art Institute for a gallery talk on Utagawa Hiroshige’s (1797-1858) Japanese woodblock Winter Scene prints.
  
  What I didn’t know: How touching it would be, looking at these prints created so long ago, empathizing as I make my way during these snowy, challenging, and beautiful Chicago winter days.
  
  A snowy ride to the Art Institute
  
  Plucked from the collection of some 1,600 prints, this exhibition features winter scenes that capture moments of daily life…exquisite delicate depictions of towns, travelers, landscapes, and birds…so small in contrast to the overwhelming results and continuum of winter.
  
  Below are images taken with permission and belong solely to the Art Institute of Chicago.
  
  Ever present before entering and exiting the Asian Collection, Buddha (Tang Dynasty early/mid 8th Century)
  
  My ride home brrrrr!
  
  So we’ll sign off for now with the extension of my challenge to all…SHOW ME WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW!!!
  
  Posted in An Extension To All, Museums, Galleries, Cultural Centers | 0 Comments | Tagged The Chicago Art Institute
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