Art Institute of Chicago, Musuem of Science and Industry

The Modern Wing of the Art Institute of Chicago
My first full day in Chicago and of course i have to visit this musuem. The special exhibition, "the Natural World", features the work of Cy Twombly and it was a spectacular show. Unfortunately, no photographs are allowed. The first room displayed works on paper as well as sculptures. The images looked like a bouquet or a garden bed in full summer bloom. I love his use of open space and his palette - some of the possible colors used...quinacridone red, cad yellow/yellow ochre mix, hint of aqua, viridian, cad orange, and lots and lots of white. The work here was predominantly acrylic and crayon.
When i entered the next room with oil paintings, one literally took my breath away. It looked like white chrysanthemums on an exquisite layer of a cool turquoise/white with splashes of yellow. The ground is much more complex than than that since there were red, muddy green, gray blue as well. On the opposite way was a similar painting, also gorgeous. Was it his view of the sea through a picture window?
There was a huge (9 ft x 18ft maybe) with an "institutional" green and white peonies. I am always wary of text on a painting - sometimes they seem trite, contrived and i am not sure yet how i feel about his text.
My least favorite series were the "III Notes from Salahah" paintings which almost seemed like it was making a mockery of painting. Calligraphic and physical, they seem to say "Cy Twombly was Here" loudly. Again, i reserve the right to change my mind when i return one more time before i leave Chicago.

Afterwards, i went to check out their permanent collection and was amazed at the calibre of paintings, drawings, sculptures, furniture they have. I post a few images but if i had the energy, i would post so many more of my favorites.


A very sublte Sol LeWitt
















Every museum has to have at least one Gerhardt Richter.

another Gerhardt Richter. I like him because he does different things well.




David Hockney "American Collector". I've always loved the way the woman's face is distorted and resembles the totem pole in the back.



Philip Guston "Bad Times"











Robert Gober, September 12, 2001.









Marlene Dumas "Albino" 1986.






Mary Heilmann, "Heaven" 2004. I know my camera did not do this beautiful painting justice.



Mark Rothko


It was nice to see the contrast of the orange of the Rothko with the blue of the Klein.


A lovely Sam Francis in the hallway. I had a quick look at the Van Gogh paintings - again simply amazing collection, looked at the Seurat, had lunch and then it was on to the next museum.



I went to the Science and Industry Museum, located in the Hyde Park area of Chicago. I took the #10 bus using my CTA pass which took me directly to the museum. So convenient. There were several special exhibitions, one of which is the Harry Potter exhibition. What does Harry Potter have to do with science and technology? Many of the props and costumes from the making of the films were there and there is a science to recreating things to look a certain way.
The Ford Anglia used in the Harry Potter films. The only thing i could photograph in the exhibit which was pretty good but you would have to be into the films to enjoy it. I liked seeing the props but mostly, i enjoyed seeing all the costumes worn by the actors. There was an impressive amount shown from the making of the film. The price was a bit steep - $13 to get into the museum and an extra $13 for the Harry Potter exhibit. It was a timed entry and to my horror, i was the only one in the "group". Actors were on hand to give you the "feel" of Hogwarts so i got a solo show which meant that i got to see which "house" i belonged to by sitting on the stool on the little stage, wearing that special hat. And the answer is...Gryffindor!

Afterwards, i checked out the permanent exhibition of planes, trains, battleship, submarine, an exhibit about petroleum, DNA, and a highlight? Baby chicks being born...awwwww.