tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6154159825310701312024-02-01T23:56:45.383-08:00Museum ExplorerMuseum Explorer creates experiences to delight visitors. We put the visitor front and center in our museum planning, program development and exhibit design. We work hard to prepare thoughtful environments in which people enjoy learning in non-traditional ways—and find themselves motivated to learn more.Museum Explorerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09688398312149826632noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-615415982531070131.post-52550790797980223292016-01-11T05:05:00.001-08:002016-01-13T08:40:43.070-08:00Reflecting on Chicago's Past, Looking to Chicago's Future<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWidt9Ei9avGBaiEQkJmHTqftOXd6R88h0T4kAeTZJDuAv45eyIwDfNLFbs9HttzPg34oPJzuBTZgz22-zNygsRhQUFa0ROnXB8so5qXVml8BhICDDRMvcr3h6cMWF-BW1bPIKRxQH16dO/s1600/Daniel+Burnham+Chicago+Plan.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWidt9Ei9avGBaiEQkJmHTqftOXd6R88h0T4kAeTZJDuAv45eyIwDfNLFbs9HttzPg34oPJzuBTZgz22-zNygsRhQUFa0ROnXB8so5qXVml8BhICDDRMvcr3h6cMWF-BW1bPIKRxQH16dO/s400/Daniel+Burnham+Chicago+Plan.JPG" width="333" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Many years ago, architect Daniel Burnham built the City of Chicago. Well, not personally, maybe—but we Chicagoans owe much to him nonetheless. Having designed the city’s structural backbone, Burnham fashioned Chicago from a Midwestern locale to a true Metropolis, with a unique identity. His hand quite literally drew Chicago up from the ashes of the Great Fire of 1871, officially commemorating its rebuilding from the fire by designing the magnificent White City of the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893. He truly lived by his words to “Make no small plans,” and he certainly set some big plans in motion for Chicago with these words in mind.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">More than 100 years later, we are still attempting to truly realize (in both senses of the word--of understanding <i>and</i> implementing) this plea for our city. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Mayor Emmanuel’s 2012 Chicago Cultural Plan, recently drafted after months of hype, strives to continue in Burnham’s tradition. It is long—some 67 pages of ideas and suggestions for the cultural betterment of the city. The Emanuel camp also made an effort to be inclusive with residential Chicagoans, which opens nicely with pictures of Chicagoans who participated in the town forums held by the cultural committee. The ideas and suggestions presented by these people are engaged by the Cultural Plan, positives: engagement of "residents" looks pretty good--and sounds believable. The opening pages displaying the pictures of participants and their thoughts, ideas and questions looks promising in terms of a co-commitment to cultural change. It makes it seem as though they pursued all forums, rather than just</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> the consulting firm Lord Cultural Resources, the go-to International (Canadian) firm for generating hype and cultural capital. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">And the draft ghost stamped on all of the pages serves as an invitation to all to digest this and change it as they wish during the new town hall meetings, to contribute to the final version. With a little vivacity from cultural team leader Michelle Boone, and a little conviction, this <i>could</i> work. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">But let's hope the final draft has more direction than what is given here. If these are to be our blueprints, how will we know where to start, with such vague "directions"? Conviction would be favorable with these plans rather than the length presented as a substitute for commitment. Sure, these plans are lengthy, but are they BIG, as Burnham suggests? Are they truly sweeps of change, or are they just small plans within a “big” shell? Otherwise, without proper direction, the Plan could easily come off as feeling a little hackneyed—not unlike a brochure for buyers and investors, rather than a commitment to Chicagoans for the betterment of the city. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">In the "methodology" section (page 21), they refer to blueprints and building culture in this city from the bottom up...but this city doesn't need that. We already have in place very beautiful and historically significant blueprints. </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">In 1909 Burnham released his Plan for the City of Chicago, to which we owe thanks for a central vein into the city (Congress Parkway), as well as the parks, beaches and harbors along the lakefront. Beyond Burnham’s architectural contributions, these feats also carried social connotations, which are</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> visually explained in his designs. Notice the radiation, the symmetry, the movement implied in his designs of the streets and layout of the city. This idea of symmetry was not merely geographical, but culturally intended. It implies a shared cultural experience of the physical space—equality, among all peoples, races, classes. These balanced designs were particularly impactful given the large influx of immigrants to the city at the time. He did not reserve specific spaces for specific ethnic groups, as the city has tended toward in its growth since Burnham’s time. He would not be content with the way that this incredibly segregated city has turned out in that area. Note that his plans do not allocate a North Side and South Side; he does not designate Chicago’s present neighborhood factions. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">As Chicago looks to the future, it needs also consider its past. Now that the dust from Burnham's original plans for our city have settled and the air has become stagnant, Chicago needs to reassume these designs and physically, culturally and socially put them in place once again. We can build our city around Burnham’s idea: symmetry, equality, shared space. </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Burnham’s idea of our city as a “Paris on the Prairie” was not merely physical, but cultural as well. His oft-quoted command to “Make no small plans” was clearly meant for Chicago.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Footnote:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">As another year begins, this idea of the Burnham Plan continues to
influence Chicago. Just last week, the Chicago Architecture
Biennial ended, along with the 2015 Burnham Prize Exhibition. This
celebration from the Chicago Architecture Foundation posed the
question, "what is the state of the art of architecture today?,"
while inviting participants to exemplify "how groundbreaking
advances in architectural design are tackling the most pressing
issues of today."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">As we've noted in the past, Burnham is an easy figure for we
Chicagoans to consider when trying to address our pressing issues.
But the emergent theme in recent years is that Burnham keeps getting
used as a decoy. Burnham's 1909 Plan is still so bright and shiny and
we are dazzled by the ideas. But we keep avoiding the hard work, and
continue to make small plans.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">As a city, we mistake the ideas and ideals presented in this Plan
for being too dreamlike and unattainable. Rather, Burnham's visions
were tender and ordinary, and arose from a true sense of practical
need. At a time when economic interest and the public good need
unification the most, we can only hope but act on this design that
continues to inspire us.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
</div>
Museum Explorerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09688398312149826632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-615415982531070131.post-4992576573126686762015-06-29T12:15:00.007-07:002015-06-29T12:15:58.586-07:00VACATION?!?<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" id="id_55919137e15092427755280">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvOMwkjAgSWMWSBANL2ahnpWKvTHqaYfRFdlm92vq4S5bA4C6EiTohyphenhyphenSH0cKPhgERx8NIBVhNnIDUWsznvN4K-kjSp-A2P01Q8x4N6t_yRs7BcdCte9G1ErIXetqA5L6SrhfsVxkfFpXgt/s1600/M.+Glass+Daytime.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvOMwkjAgSWMWSBANL2ahnpWKvTHqaYfRFdlm92vq4S5bA4C6EiTohyphenhyphenSH0cKPhgERx8NIBVhNnIDUWsznvN4K-kjSp-A2P01Q8x4N6t_yRs7BcdCte9G1ErIXetqA5L6SrhfsVxkfFpXgt/s400/M.+Glass+Daytime.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vacationing in Vegas!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What do employees of Museum Explorer do on a long overdue and well-deserved (if not short) vacation to Las Vegas? Well, besides winning a little bit of coin playing the vintage Batman TV Show slot machine, they do what anyone would do--VISIT Museums! A couple months ago, we were lucky enough to head out to the Mob Museum and the Neon Museum while in Vegas.</span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4YrJzqCRxTyvBu5kQKT-5bQVskt2KTZAVtPWWIOrw7y_UjjKHSInvZf6qLRTKkEdLxZmJcKoTK5eBi0bLtonzmB4rf8LVIdJ3ibcPM9DEah92bn_OVI-tTmwiGf7GkypU9OMvFNM45OKk/s1600/Liz+Perp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4YrJzqCRxTyvBu5kQKT-5bQVskt2KTZAVtPWWIOrw7y_UjjKHSInvZf6qLRTKkEdLxZmJcKoTK5eBi0bLtonzmB4rf8LVIdJ3ibcPM9DEah92bn_OVI-tTmwiGf7GkypU9OMvFNM45OKk/s200/Liz+Perp.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Museum X's very own Liz Faron getting into trouble at the Mob Museum!<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKmCGmllXlqufo01CAASU4_taR3lfbUDQbhyphenhyphenthg7WaD7MdblyCBXR3oTR_-MCnt7tDXoodMAn8x5rNaDHaD5YbCeZvJTlhGpxvomhIqmrw88bUpMscVeWip06okXX_x4fAESFQUGFSTWUT/s1600/Old+Sparky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKmCGmllXlqufo01CAASU4_taR3lfbUDQbhyphenhyphenthg7WaD7MdblyCBXR3oTR_-MCnt7tDXoodMAn8x5rNaDHaD5YbCeZvJTlhGpxvomhIqmrw88bUpMscVeWip06okXX_x4fAESFQUGFSTWUT/s200/Old+Sparky.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Old Sparky'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Mob Museum offers a fabulous and comprehensive look at organized crime in America. It is housed approp<span class="text_exposed_show">riately enough within the former Las Vegas Federal Courthouse, which was actually a location for hearings and trials on organized crime. The exhibits within the historic building include some of the most FUN interactives around, including an actual restored ‘Tommy Gun’, and ‘Old Sparky’—a replica of a prison Electric chair! Below, you can see Liz testing out an actual restored 'Tommy Gun.' When you pull the trigger, the sound of gun fire roars from speakers above your head and the whole gun shakes and rattles in your hands. And to our right we have Museum Explorer designer Rich Faron giving 'Old Sparky' a spin... No kidding--when you pull the lever, the lights dim and flicker and the whole chair vibrates underneath you. YIKES... Very effective!</span></span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show"></span><br /><span class="text_exposed_show"></span>
<span class="text_exposed_show"><br /></span>
<span class="text_exposed_show"><br /></span>
<div class="text_exposed_show">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3EYsHReW8mnbtnUQeoj46b4TffeGBPAb-PIjk5I_ulEvxFXtzx9E_wNwlWQEY9DfogKRQMQRreVQ-zEWG_pTKTnIlJ06FdUuZalwcmorKzze7nw-ZUfauj_VIayL6G4zjIWDJ3Mq3S8yy/s1600/Martini+Glass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3EYsHReW8mnbtnUQeoj46b4TffeGBPAb-PIjk5I_ulEvxFXtzx9E_wNwlWQEY9DfogKRQMQRreVQ-zEWG_pTKTnIlJ06FdUuZalwcmorKzze7nw-ZUfauj_VIayL6G4zjIWDJ3Mq3S8yy/s200/Martini+Glass.jpg" width="176" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Martini Glass sign restored and reinstalled by the Neon Museum just off Las Vegas Boulevard</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> The Neon Museum is a true treasure among museums. Affectionately referred to by the staff as the ‘Boneyard,’ The Neon Museum is a not-for-profit gem working to preserve the aesthetic history of mid-20th Century Las Vegas, as told through the artwork of its famous neon signage. The collection is extensive and is ‘stored’ outside. Given the dry conditions and low average humidity of the location, the collection is faring well. Most importantly, the Neon Museum takes seriously its commitment to ‘Collect, Preserve and Interpret’. In addition to its collecting, the museum has already undertaken the expensive and painstaking task of restoring many signs and returning them back into the community. The hourly tours offered are fun and full of great local history. Be sure to check out the local museums on your own trips this summer--and feel free to share them with us! We LOVE museums!</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO04yaw22TcFV8e21oAOCtbz1EV4bVNgWw7lUaZW5YTugy9ATxbILJ56js1NilskI55dhCBtbRtPn0J6t5c3KYG1C3-LXwTTWeCpEfd0qAT-2X2Ir4Xf-8lEEvKEJqk97qKfJsdyJihMUa/s1600/Neon+Museum+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO04yaw22TcFV8e21oAOCtbz1EV4bVNgWw7lUaZW5YTugy9ATxbILJ56js1NilskI55dhCBtbRtPn0J6t5c3KYG1C3-LXwTTWeCpEfd0qAT-2X2Ir4Xf-8lEEvKEJqk97qKfJsdyJihMUa/s320/Neon+Museum+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neon signs in the Boneyard at the Neon Museum</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN0yL-GXS5LZZ9cN9g0voUJ1NhYZ2XpcNZGTGi8MjIz3mip-H4gkHqh50kQbZeGH4QBHv25RnGxGPu4L9JM1Q9Ibe9XPv4LSmoPKyXZNmL2dpHgQB5aWwyh6LN_1qSXSRKE5bLraz_HIY8/s1600/Neon+Museum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN0yL-GXS5LZZ9cN9g0voUJ1NhYZ2XpcNZGTGi8MjIz3mip-H4gkHqh50kQbZeGH4QBHv25RnGxGPu4L9JM1Q9Ibe9XPv4LSmoPKyXZNmL2dpHgQB5aWwyh6LN_1qSXSRKE5bLraz_HIY8/s400/Neon+Museum.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Catching the tour at the Neon Museum!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCNuYITc8DkqiT8SO6BwLzPc-KCV48AJgGSCvLl1g3JqbqkHEiR21D0qEf5dQaIZ6o_kd_DU4SjkKXnul8TCygNOTdj7YLc60fxbZ8-8NYEe01Qq0rhZU71KFLiPMKLzfmuaT0izcfNFVX/s1600/Tommy+Gun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCNuYITc8DkqiT8SO6BwLzPc-KCV48AJgGSCvLl1g3JqbqkHEiR21D0qEf5dQaIZ6o_kd_DU4SjkKXnul8TCygNOTdj7YLc60fxbZ8-8NYEe01Qq0rhZU71KFLiPMKLzfmuaT0izcfNFVX/s320/Tommy+Gun.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Liz testing out the Tommy Gun at the Mob Museum!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
</div>
Museum Explorerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09688398312149826632noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-615415982531070131.post-29699989020855666162015-04-21T11:31:00.000-07:002015-04-21T11:31:28.010-07:00An Informal Education at the IMSS<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTD2BnqjrAvFgqcyJwhuCnF5Bk_2DVEJkWKDbolMP47BPwUWgm3FTBvkikuJA2l0FuuiEgfuZMU-reo87Tu6ZBFCCBHDHcEHa0JIVf-q8SRrWxLbKHN4dtTsjzynzeGcr2vJn8VfZh_TRg/s1600/IMG_6221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTD2BnqjrAvFgqcyJwhuCnF5Bk_2DVEJkWKDbolMP47BPwUWgm3FTBvkikuJA2l0FuuiEgfuZMU-reo87Tu6ZBFCCBHDHcEHa0JIVf-q8SRrWxLbKHN4dtTsjzynzeGcr2vJn8VfZh_TRg/s1600/IMG_6221.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Statue Outside of IMSS - Help to those who don't like science!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Last
week we headed to the International Museum of Surgical Science, a true gem
among Chicago's already impressive museums. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Located in a four-story Gold Coast mansion
built in 1917, the building is an odd but perfect match for a medical
museum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_TR4iE_dNxOdJMgC65IZyeGiW7KfCGYu8AUL0zfWdMwbSRtVPwEEKZo6xXBKq0XEiRenwb_4EuSJmCK5vdE2EY7HitUEg2kcccv_206SP6vTnE-m_k_8NTbk5_aPxfJcQItYlrLAJ9pJQ/s1600/IMG_6244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_TR4iE_dNxOdJMgC65IZyeGiW7KfCGYu8AUL0zfWdMwbSRtVPwEEKZo6xXBKq0XEiRenwb_4EuSJmCK5vdE2EY7HitUEg2kcccv_206SP6vTnE-m_k_8NTbk5_aPxfJcQItYlrLAJ9pJQ/s1600/IMG_6244.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Peek Up the Main Staircase</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">If
you don’t happen to be a scholar in medicine or science, this place will quickly
change your mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, the museum is
intriguing for its location alone (although it has plenty more to offer than
that).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The building that houses the IMSS,
now an official Chicago landmark, had originally been a residence built by Eleanor
R. Countiss (daughter of a wealthy Diamond Match Company executive) in 1917,
where she and her family continued to live until 1950.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was designed with Louis XIV and Marie
Antoinette in mind, and the building exterior to this day resembles a French
chateau. Then, Dr. Max Thorek (founder of the International College of
Surgeons) acquired the property in 1950. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although he made some renovations to the
interior during his first few years of ownership, the building still maintains
many of its original decorative marble, plaster, and woodwork features,
including the beautiful fireplaces on all floors, as well as the grand main
staircase.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The museum opened its doors
to the public in 1954, and has been welcoming guests ever since.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despite its prominent location on Lake Shore
Drive, overlooking the lake and only steps away from Lincoln Park, this museum
is too often slighted in the shadows of its larger counterparts around the city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will take you through it in case you, too,
have missed it!</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">On
the first floor of the museum, tucked away in the far left corner off the main
office, is an early 20<sup>th</sup> century pharmacy and dentist set up, called
the “Turn of the Century Apothecary Shop” of Dr. Uriah Jones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is, at first glance, reminiscent of the “Yesterday’s
Main Street” mainstay exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The IMSS takes this idea one step further—not
only providing the environmental “feel” of yesteryear to the visitor, but by
using the apothecary as a medium to explain to the visitor its social and medical
properties (via an audio “tour” of the room).</span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIREdAxdU2g1AoHsmsBX1hFvrYS39ObtRfZvGT3aHaF3Doov9_hileOub9-fMEi33E6_hDhGvuq86aIK1YVGxqOA_QN1myLS6ff8ieUCDzbUuY7R8se8Sf64gSTAXZQtmzrbuCftmXsgsg/s1600/IMG_6224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIREdAxdU2g1AoHsmsBX1hFvrYS39ObtRfZvGT3aHaF3Doov9_hileOub9-fMEi33E6_hDhGvuq86aIK1YVGxqOA_QN1myLS6ff8ieUCDzbUuY7R8se8Sf64gSTAXZQtmzrbuCftmXsgsg/s1600/IMG_6224.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr. Uriah Jones in his Apothecary</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">As
an outsider to the medicine and science scholarly camp, this exhibit was a
great introduction into the museum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>While science and medicine seem daunting, I can get on board with
history.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The historical (almost
theatrical) setup of the apothecary was entertaining, enough so that it allowed
me to also swallow scientific information at the same time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hated learning about science in school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was too complicated to be interesting, and
it’s not really a field that is learn-able on paper alone (which the schooling
system relies too heavily on to teach to students).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Medicine, and science more generally, are
more interesting to me now that an obscure knowledge of it isn't mandatory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As an adult, I’ve found it's nice to have
museums to offer that supplemental education, after formal education is offer.
And, bonus, no student loans attached to learning in a museum! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Fortunately
the Museum of Surgical Science doesn’t resort to teaching or presenting science
just on paper alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has its four
floors jampacked with artifacts and exhibits and information of all types.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having been unfamiliar with this museum
before my visit, I assumed the IMSS would be small, because it’s on the road
less traveled (which, in terms of museums in this city, typically indicates the
road north of Monroe Street).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was very
wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">There
was honestly enough variety that the museum could engage both those more
learned visitors (there were many doctors, nurses and professionals in the
medical field visiting), and those less familiar with the subject matter (me).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The historical approach to learning about
medicine was pretty readily available throughout the museum, which was probably
most engaging in the artifacts (especially the iron lung and Victorian-era
wheelchairs).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Surprisingly to me, the
IMSS also heavily incorporates art into its mission.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most notable in this category is the “Artist
Residency” special exhibit, a program the Museum has been fostering to lend
Chicago-based artists an opportunity to learn and create art within its walls
relating to medical history.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is an
excellent program, offering yet another means of interpreting medical and
scientific knowledge to both the artists and the museum’s visitors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy1Z7-dmjvMQQ0dlqaQAKoJ0gJ-4rYAAJqaoSqkwNq-vs6Es7AcOww4jUkuOkXIVSMaI47WGqjZsrNhZ-mahUjMmoGcNB0F7dNREujftpSkzGqJWaAedApV5gVteHY6mf9mcXLuUGkhps2/s1600/IMG_6237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy1Z7-dmjvMQQ0dlqaQAKoJ0gJ-4rYAAJqaoSqkwNq-vs6Es7AcOww4jUkuOkXIVSMaI47WGqjZsrNhZ-mahUjMmoGcNB0F7dNREujftpSkzGqJWaAedApV5gVteHY6mf9mcXLuUGkhps2/s1600/IMG_6237.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Look into the Hall of Immortals from the Library</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">In a
more abstract sense, the second floor of the museum is dedicated to various
artistic depictions of Medicine’s “hall of famers.”</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Hall of Immortals, as it’s called,
features compelling sculptures of some of Medicine’s more notable contributors,
including Imhotep, Marie Curie, and Andres Vesalius.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">These sculptures by Chassaing and Linck are accompanied
by nothing more than the natural lighting provided in the Hall, and some
salient museum labels (actually I would argue the IMSS had the best museum
labels throughout).</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Though simple, is a
pretty dramatic presentation that sticks with the visitor as you go on to other
floors to learn more specifics about the Immortals’ contributions.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">And on your way back down that grand
staircase, you realize that you truly have learned more about medicinal history
on those four floors than any textbook alone could teach you!</span><br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
</div>
Museum Explorerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09688398312149826632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-615415982531070131.post-52869402713640498102015-03-24T13:10:00.000-07:002015-03-24T13:10:03.550-07:00An Unseasonable Trip to the Nature Museum<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfXVgrLI5Vk3tQje3naJzICYzuWxS5kmz01TbktLwNfp85FtrfAfvmxMmlb-afWTg9yuRBh3s_6xr_pdRTjUHHcjPkUuiy0weL-ayYWBuil1nDtLTD_gl0SAwcr9coIjEkWEDdb49_H_lt/s1600/spring-is-that-really-you-comic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfXVgrLI5Vk3tQje3naJzICYzuWxS5kmz01TbktLwNfp85FtrfAfvmxMmlb-afWTg9yuRBh3s_6xr_pdRTjUHHcjPkUuiy0weL-ayYWBuil1nDtLTD_gl0SAwcr9coIjEkWEDdb49_H_lt/s1600/spring-is-that-really-you-comic.jpg" height="167" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We
were going to write a “nice weather” post today... But who's in the mood for
that now! Just this past weekend we have been unkindly reminded that
winter is still sticking around—which was the inspiration for using this great
seasonal comic (<a href="http://owlturd.com/" target="_blank">here</a> for more). So, instead, our next couple posts will be wrapping up
our winter museum travels (along with the winter weather, we hope)!</span></span><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirN3MPBPPN346dZvJPV1lGxGDz25zfR5hM_c4U1leI9HkxPB-th2vHEnNW8rv53lJzTh0nQv61Xs7Mxp4pxaeLdzVdaAtNB8FGnpHtRAcs9H-xqwqJzOY_tIwyr0NROH10i7HtpEid7pd5/s1600/IMG_5948.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirN3MPBPPN346dZvJPV1lGxGDz25zfR5hM_c4U1leI9HkxPB-th2vHEnNW8rv53lJzTh0nQv61Xs7Mxp4pxaeLdzVdaAtNB8FGnpHtRAcs9H-xqwqJzOY_tIwyr0NROH10i7HtpEid7pd5/s1600/IMG_5948.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view overhead of the produce vendors in the lobby<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Although spring has
officially begun, it is still the off-season for many of Chicago's best nice
weather features--the beaches, city gardens, and farmer's markets. For
those of you who didn't know, Green City Market (which is Chicago's premier
farmer's market) continues to run even during the off season. Their
winter farmer's markets are held indoors, at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum!
This museum collaboration makes sense for a couple reasons: 1) it’s a <i>nature</i> museum, so why not hold farmer’s
market there celebrating nature’s yield; and 2), the place is such a beautiful
space to begin with, and one of few places that could still offer you a chance
to connect with nature during the winter, when most things outside in this city
seem dead. We were itching to get back
into the swing of the farmer’s market season—plus, who doesn’t love an excuse
to head to Peggy Notebaert?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaFL2BNqpx8397a2qUqTMvTShyphenhyphenLJwtLwtrh4m0_PZAgFSmjrUIdcAPD6P-hIeKY5Zv4xpURgBflbS4bjAfxXOGccy4eelMdQEqcwY6_5jFczu2tdHju6Q4E2jd-17BSH8roQxP7YYWT6GD/s1600/IMG_5949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaFL2BNqpx8397a2qUqTMvTShyphenhyphenLJwtLwtrh4m0_PZAgFSmjrUIdcAPD6P-hIeKY5Zv4xpURgBflbS4bjAfxXOGccy4eelMdQEqcwY6_5jFczu2tdHju6Q4E2jd-17BSH8roQxP7YYWT6GD/s1600/IMG_5949.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before the clouds came</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Unfortunately, winter
weather reared its ugly head again last Saturday. Although it looked like it <i>could</i> have been a lovely sunny day, the
skies became cloudy and the day was soon overcast (foreshadowing the collective
mood of the city before the snow hit—see attached photo). But the Nature Museum is built to make the
most of the sunlight hitting Lincoln Park, so it was still bright inside. The produce vendors were stationed in the main
lobby of the museum, although this too was a reflection of the slow transition
from seasons. Not much produce was
available beyond potatoes and mushroom (of which there was a great selection),
so the Market had beefed up their vendor selection with heavier items more
likely to help you cope with Seasonal Affective Disorder. There were quite a few vendors selling bread, pastries
and fried items. Let it be noted that
those items are always available at Green City Market, no matter what
season. It’s just that the SAD on this
day made those items more attractive and obvious.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEislVX5AWOzihNgEsfh0bQTPMRW0kbM9JqPMNJwPEJV938h_w9FFZeWf22ZmOVHSw-Gh3VRecdwKBDj_i4ka3hzVVwZvTwUln9Uz1OHQszadb4u43lI_K-Ki5HwgbFEDUvPfcXNQXKi8fKk/s1600/spring-is-that-really-you.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEislVX5AWOzihNgEsfh0bQTPMRW0kbM9JqPMNJwPEJV938h_w9FFZeWf22ZmOVHSw-Gh3VRecdwKBDj_i4ka3hzVVwZvTwUln9Uz1OHQszadb4u43lI_K-Ki5HwgbFEDUvPfcXNQXKi8fKk/s1600/spring-is-that-really-you.jpg" height="400" width="91" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Owl Turd Comix</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Overall, it was still
a great trip out, even though nature’s yield wasn’t particularly high on
Saturday. It was nice to be able to go
to a museum for something that was totally not museum-related, and then still
have the opportunity to be able to tour the exhibits afterward. In fact it almost made the Nature Museum seem
more like a community center—having many guests there for various reasons. So many young parents and younger children
roaming around the place for learning opportunities, while other folks were
there solely for the farmer’s market offerings.
To have the place be that busy before it was technically even open (the
farmer’s market starts at 8am, while the Museum doesn’t officially open until
10am). Fortunately the Museum staff was
there early, and was kind enough to open up the Butterfly Haven early. After we perused the vendor stands in the
lobby and in the upper level, we were able to have the Butterfly Haven
basically to ourselves. It’s already
such a peaceful place there, but it was nice to have it away from the crowds,
too—an opportunity not often afforded in a Chicago museum on a Saturday. So, thankful to this collaboration with Green
City Market for a more personal experience at the Nature Museum!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">While the not-Spring
weather is still around, the Green City Market will be held indoors through the
end of April (the outdoor market season starts in May). There are two more opportunities for you to
visit the indoor market at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. For more info, check out the Nature Museum’s
website <a href="http://www.naturemuseum.org/" target="_blank">here</a></span>, and Green City’s website <a href="http://www.greencitymarket.org/" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Museum Explorerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09688398312149826632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-615415982531070131.post-731974270393825152015-01-17T09:07:00.003-08:002015-01-17T09:07:23.326-08:00Frank Lloyd Wright's Beacon of Light: A Step Back in Time Inside the Robie House<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHUTZ_HbVdDXd5XQnbZGemkPgs560lgXFo2dIIIB0oea8lxy3ZNwg7gocWpcKTmZnG-rAqdBIjvlIeq8bBn-3oKvemA7-Ea7pVa_U-58Vrlels5dB7DldB_0f0C_h6JL8JsYG01hDxNAv7/s1600/IMG_4930.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHUTZ_HbVdDXd5XQnbZGemkPgs560lgXFo2dIIIB0oea8lxy3ZNwg7gocWpcKTmZnG-rAqdBIjvlIeq8bBn-3oKvemA7-Ea7pVa_U-58Vrlels5dB7DldB_0f0C_h6JL8JsYG01hDxNAv7/s1600/IMG_4930.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "Wall of Light": Art Glass Windows on the South Side of the Robie House</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I've
always felt that Hyde Park was one place in which you can still feel the
presence of old Chicago (see our post on the 1893 World's Fair <a href="http://museumexplorer.blogspot.com/2014/10/failure-fondness-and-few-remaining.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>). One
of the older suburbs of the city (which it remained until Chicago officially
annexed it in 1889), Hyde Park maintains many of its old vestiges.
Driving south of the city nearing its Midway Plaissance, the lake seems calmer,
and it seems a little quieter amid the park grounds, old homes and university
campus in the area. Hyde Park still has that old feeling to it which is
both urban Chicago and suburban at once.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It’s no
wonder, then, why a budding businessman, husband and father of two young children
would select the location for his home to be built. Frederick C. Robie
commissioned Frank Lloyd Wright for the job some time during 1908, and
construction began on the Robie House in 1909. Wright’s Prairie style gem
was completed in 1910, now over a century ago.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
history of the house itself is pretty fascinating, having changed hands several
times in the subsequent decades (once even having served as a
dormitory!). Today it is operated exclusively by the Frank Lloyd Wright
Trust. It stands as a tribute to Frank
Lloyd Wright, an exemplar of some of his best and most iconic work.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT178GZSwVGx88bP9sZ-wSUCnco89IMN1FZYXvlF4mSXo3ztNWB-kEHG8xA7NEwjlUcN9uJIFeJXK1TETnYD2lJ-r9PoEiIrqztFS9aRcZl6jyqlltk7rPAAEyoyC_vIaJK3NYhdVG5sdh/s1600/IMG_4922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT178GZSwVGx88bP9sZ-wSUCnco89IMN1FZYXvlF4mSXo3ztNWB-kEHG8xA7NEwjlUcN9uJIFeJXK1TETnYD2lJ-r9PoEiIrqztFS9aRcZl6jyqlltk7rPAAEyoyC_vIaJK3NYhdVG5sdh/s1600/IMG_4922.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Frederick C. Robie House, as seen from outside</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In
fact, even today, the house stands out in the neighborhood. While there are now newer and more modern-style
buildings around than there were in 1910, the Robie House still shines among
them as an example of modern architecture.
Just think, how unique the style was for 1910! It would have been alone amid the other Queen
Annes, Victorian style homes which were in fashion at the time. The straight lines and cantilevers on the
Robie House were quite the converse of the neo-Gothic curves on the Queen
Annes. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It’s
something really incredible to be able to forge a connection with the past, and
in the Robie House, it’s like taking a step back in time. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Frank Lloyd
Wright Trust guides offer a fascinating tour of the place. They are quick to point out the nuances of
the house, and made it so easy to see the genius in Wright’s designs
there. Actually, </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">it’s
hard to believe that this place is over 100 years old, given the forward
thinking in the design, the modern straight lines throughout, and the
incredible built-in functionality of the house.
Among my favorite features were the “hidden” radiators, designed by
Wright to be encased in decorative wooden covers so as to unify form and
functionality. There are plenty more
points like this in the house, such as the outdoor planters that are built into
the home, replete with their own irrigation system! Frank Lloyd Wright didn’t skimp on the
details in the design of this home. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp4aCTDlKtzPOyaQIaOXqKYa4bfSE6UEOOqg38CFujwI_NYoiC7G-LANFaB1Om4WoBPgqnUkjyqNLw_PI7hqjFWndDhyAzNacV0qBbY-dHFrIRqpsm4_cmZ4Qgm8xII6OsdLzm1gp4i3f_/s1600/IMG_4932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp4aCTDlKtzPOyaQIaOXqKYa4bfSE6UEOOqg38CFujwI_NYoiC7G-LANFaB1Om4WoBPgqnUkjyqNLw_PI7hqjFWndDhyAzNacV0qBbY-dHFrIRqpsm4_cmZ4Qgm8xII6OsdLzm1gp4i3f_/s1600/IMG_4932.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paint swatches are visible here</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Also
noted by the tour guides, and obvious to the naked eye, was the disrepair of
the house. This was obvious in the
broken, exposed wall sconces, the in progress paint jobs occurring on the
walls, the windows being replaced. That
is not to say that the Robie House is in any state of ruin—repairs are being
made and restoration is in progress, fear not.
It was just so striking to see the wear on the building throughout the
tour. Maintenance is not something museum
goers ever really get to witness or have to think about, because that’s usually
done behind closed doors, after hours.
But in this case of the Robie House, the museum and exhibit is the venue
itself. The tour pointed out how much
upkeep is required to preserve a building in its original state, and just how
much work the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust has to do to keep Wright’s beacon
shining.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC7A1r-bPj-NSUnjNV78uNJo3yW0bkgQyGjG9z1YVO7SB4hF2Bb48QpDqAkp-4UPyi9W4mitEHNP9fUWKkB-buzxFMMnHjGRzZmeBp54C6pU0Dj0CiFS63eLRwTIgMMh6DOOIqnDjLCFd1/s1600/IMG_4923.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC7A1r-bPj-NSUnjNV78uNJo3yW0bkgQyGjG9z1YVO7SB4hF2Bb48QpDqAkp-4UPyi9W4mitEHNP9fUWKkB-buzxFMMnHjGRzZmeBp54C6pU0Dj0CiFS63eLRwTIgMMh6DOOIqnDjLCFd1/s1600/IMG_4923.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Light peeking on the Stairway</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But
that's not to talk down its beauty. I snapped some unauthorized photos during
the tour, and if nothing else, you can clearly see from these pictures that the
lighting in this house is gorgeous. The first photo above shows the
lighting from the staircase of the original main entrance of the home leading
up to the living room. In order of the
tour and the progression through the house, next is the “wall of light,” the
literal wall of windows on the south side of the home that runs from the living
room and the dining room. Fortunately on
the day of this tour a few weeks ago, we had great sunlight, pointing out that
shining is something that the home still does well, even after a century.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9BB16D3R4XmeHLGM5RMD1iuYn7MgePxKuG17ZP-ZPZedpSm-O91ZZKdDmM11raO2oq853DD_XXC7OLsQ66LUHW77KWjJ_9Dv8y1hl8cCT_2gNfGhUojCFYj4MVsbrVwrUP_uc6bxF-MEk/s1600/IMG_4928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9BB16D3R4XmeHLGM5RMD1iuYn7MgePxKuG17ZP-ZPZedpSm-O91ZZKdDmM11raO2oq853DD_XXC7OLsQ66LUHW77KWjJ_9Dv8y1hl8cCT_2gNfGhUojCFYj4MVsbrVwrUP_uc6bxF-MEk/s1600/IMG_4928.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking from the Living Room to the Dining Room, through the Light</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Museum Explorerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09688398312149826632noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-615415982531070131.post-54912265598494203752015-01-03T08:00:00.000-08:002015-01-03T08:00:04.997-08:00Reflection for the New Year<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR0pWtr9vAd3F4PwExJtYq2W84hVzWlGC5wRxJt_9jdpnsDqy6V77Y6xr2ga2Mxhv-t6DrRNE9iZ9t0HTlg1hADujQIj5kUybExisnmsxNjJuoCsB1eukGUMraQbPAj_S0OcL_BCI4J7sS/s1600/IMG_4761+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR0pWtr9vAd3F4PwExJtYq2W84hVzWlGC5wRxJt_9jdpnsDqy6V77Y6xr2ga2Mxhv-t6DrRNE9iZ9t0HTlg1hADujQIj5kUybExisnmsxNjJuoCsB1eukGUMraQbPAj_S0OcL_BCI4J7sS/s1600/IMG_4761+(1).JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Happy New Year to all you MuseumX fans! For our first post
of 2015, we (predictably) will be doing some reflecting on the past… Although we are going back kinda far this New
Year—from 2015 all the long way back to 1968.</span><span style="color: #222222; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As 2014 has come to a close, so too will “The 1968 Exhibit” at
the Chicago History Museum (tomorrow is the last day to catch it!). Fortunately we did not drop the ball before
the ball dropped - we were able to attend a special viewing of it last month!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">To be honest, I was not thrilled about the subject matter of
this exhibit, solely based on personal preferences. The 1960’s are generally a period of American
History I have always been uninterested in. My parents are products of
the mid-60’s, and my mother is nostalgic, so she always had on TV sitcoms from
the era.. As a kid, these bugged me because they were A) not animated and
B), unbelievably not-funny. So much of what I reluctantly digested from
the 60s, I disliked, because it was not relatable. As I grew older and
learned more about the Civil Rights Movement, the American political system,
the Vietnam War, my disinterest was sustained. What a sad, sad
time. To have an exhibit that highlighted so many of these central events
and themes of the 1960s, was not that exciting to me. Fortunately, my
mind was changed very quickly upon entering the gallery in the Chicago History
Museum.</span><span style="color: #222222; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The foremost recollection of this exhibit is the entrance,
because it is so striking. The first space within ‘1968’ is at first, a
normal living room by 1960s standards: golden brown, straight lines, wooden
furniture, more shades of brown, and, a television set. Next in the order of the living room
properties is an actual “Huey” helicopter, to denote the heavy presence of the
Vietnam War in the thoughts (and tv sets) of Americans during the war. It’s
a powerful and provocative image. The
staging in ‘1968’ is pretty well done elsewhere in the gallery, too—my favorite
“scene” is the desk of a typical young woman in her 20s during the 1960s.
While the technology has shifted a bit from the blue typewriter featured on
this desk, I can firmly say that the general set up of the room (political
posters, colors, birth control) remains the same (being friends with several
female new-age hippies currently in their 20s).</span><span style="color: #222222; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq_3eLLXQvG6m9qke8VvslL8YggiGXDx8aL7Ay5zwJNzwvET2TYn7igEX3cbfwVqYe0JkbTgGGxMkMHFI-kWdfpCbLNVrRw43wQ8xMI61sFhKcSeB3sOrjTa0xqbM2lOtgx3hFhpqsjQMt/s1600/IMG_4756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq_3eLLXQvG6m9qke8VvslL8YggiGXDx8aL7Ay5zwJNzwvET2TYn7igEX3cbfwVqYe0JkbTgGGxMkMHFI-kWdfpCbLNVrRw43wQ8xMI61sFhKcSeB3sOrjTa0xqbM2lOtgx3hFhpqsjQMt/s1600/IMG_4756.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Desk of a "Modern Woman," from 1968</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Actually, this very characteristic of ‘1968: The Exhibit’ to me
is what was most surprising, and most rewarding: the events presented during
1968 are presented in such a way that they are totally relatable to the
happenings of 2014. While ‘1968’ is nostalgic to many of the museumgoers
that lived through the year themselves, I have no personal ties to the
60s. Although I was not really turned on by the subject matter of the
exhibit, I was able to enjoy myself moving through the year of 1968, both
learning new information about these events, and relating them to events that
are happening this day in age.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: x-small; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: small; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN-Fn01mEpOsrn1qcz26emFaN53mE39bePqLbdYiz4LH5ndEkfdGiNpyEufEs_s6e2NdGXKVT5ZG_dtYIN2g3Sg6RZE8_fRGPp9FuEL2qVJRS_gNMyKfE3BmcyONN7NlzjH3KSHJrOeM3l/s1600/IMG_4746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN-Fn01mEpOsrn1qcz26emFaN53mE39bePqLbdYiz4LH5ndEkfdGiNpyEufEs_s6e2NdGXKVT5ZG_dtYIN2g3Sg6RZE8_fRGPp9FuEL2qVJRS_gNMyKfE3BmcyONN7NlzjH3KSHJrOeM3l/s1600/IMG_4746.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the many graphics on Race Issues in 1968</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">At no point was this relatability more clear than at the station
in the exhibit dedicated to Martin Luther King, Jr. Watching the featured
documentary clip, listening to his words on oppression, violence and peace, was
so eerie. The violence and racism of which he speaks has not really
changed at all, although 46 years have passed since that time. Ambling
through the exhibit, you will see words like “police brutality,” “violence,”
“racism,” and “equality” appear at multiple points during that year.
Although the exhibit provides great context for these words and corresponding
events, none is needed. These words, these struggles and instances, are
still occurring. In light of the recent tragedies in Ferguson and New
York, to name just a few, it was striking to look upon these acts of violence
that happened in 1968 and know that we have made little progress since. The
Civil Rights Movement remains ongoing all the way into 2015. I was grateful “1968” was able to make me
look at my own day in age differently.</span><span style="color: #222222; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Hfc8l5SPX5sqe5y0Jjh1U2eMfJP6iAk4mfOjD1_yQCP-Ufze3_DHv95YrHHBHg1762prjmlaS471DvyyGzftAvjrGy71bYOaUCqarcpXIY-HeMEqO2VPpm1VXmdQVqIfi-oIfx5vKSbc/s1600/IMG_4996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Hfc8l5SPX5sqe5y0Jjh1U2eMfJP6iAk4mfOjD1_yQCP-Ufze3_DHv95YrHHBHg1762prjmlaS471DvyyGzftAvjrGy71bYOaUCqarcpXIY-HeMEqO2VPpm1VXmdQVqIfi-oIfx5vKSbc/s1600/IMG_4996.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Food for Thought: Up top, from 2014, below, from 1968</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Museum Explorerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09688398312149826632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-615415982531070131.post-23921447167358435942014-12-19T09:16:00.002-08:002014-12-19T09:16:37.608-08:00How Lovely Are Your Branches: A Christmas Trip to the Arboretum <div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAcD2VFHt2jRuDQEd8D1jcRpI8wHgA6UR-7nAA39rNTNsDtMrNUFhY_zz2yCNOv6IpcUXlGWPuZuDUy45jgtJx_W9J6U-QhY7ho_qkLhwnRgKgxDXZS1SKDCX1isxte0vC3vbH4Qi1-9pp/s1600/IMG_4886.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAcD2VFHt2jRuDQEd8D1jcRpI8wHgA6UR-7nAA39rNTNsDtMrNUFhY_zz2yCNOv6IpcUXlGWPuZuDUy45jgtJx_W9J6U-QhY7ho_qkLhwnRgKgxDXZS1SKDCX1isxte0vC3vbH4Qi1-9pp/s1600/IMG_4886.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Earlier this week, you may have noticed, we trekked to the
Morton Arboretum. That’s right—it is
December, and it was a mere 30° outside, but what a night! We went to see the “Illumination” exhibit at
the Morton Arboretum, a mile-long stretch of trees decked out in all kinds of
lights and color. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCNqC70YRYyhedaImDwKjl0Xm1o7-d6TDW-BGoJU6mAV75SvD9tK3dgBMRVHo_ZlCaEmT-ZP-yeViMZDAsWelEYDkBkJKfj2CPgyARbUdK_3aZdz0Hmrc8AeIskJhRiM7uR0l1ECHfElXD/s1600/IMG_4869.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCNqC70YRYyhedaImDwKjl0Xm1o7-d6TDW-BGoJU6mAV75SvD9tK3dgBMRVHo_ZlCaEmT-ZP-yeViMZDAsWelEYDkBkJKfj2CPgyARbUdK_3aZdz0Hmrc8AeIskJhRiM7uR0l1ECHfElXD/s1600/IMG_4869.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguwP5lNuqxxKSXJXco6etPhvYS8DFpC08fCR8b2QVwVvxZ4gF9lLRNRK-5j-y0qpEnDfDbBNlCtCCWeaSDWmSXWmv-jejyKvD7eWiOCMnK2KXomB_E_FMcG5Y0cSAzHsNJlYmQ8XlvEuRp/s1600/IMG_4868.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguwP5lNuqxxKSXJXco6etPhvYS8DFpC08fCR8b2QVwVvxZ4gF9lLRNRK-5j-y0qpEnDfDbBNlCtCCWeaSDWmSXWmv-jejyKvD7eWiOCMnK2KXomB_E_FMcG5Y0cSAzHsNJlYmQ8XlvEuRp/s1600/IMG_4868.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">These were not just any Christmas lights! Although there <i>were</i> plenty of conifer trees on display, the lights shone upon trees
and hedges of all sizes and shapes at the Arboretum. It was literally like walking through the
Disney classic “Fantasia,” what with all the incredible colors and the Classical
music (from our very own Chicago Symphony Orchestra!) being played from the
speakers. The ‘Symphony Station,’ which
you see pictured to the right and above,</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> <span style="line-height: 115%;">was particularly awesome. This was a new addition to “Illumination”
this year, with the lights both on the floor of the forest (!) and those
projected on the trees synching up with the Classical music. Just incredible.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here are some more photos from our tour of “Illumination,”
but try and get to the Morton Arboretum to see for yourself—you only have until
January 3<sup>rd</sup>!</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfwFrDWU0KQVtmUdoSMS71L22UCOc87k75xA85QLVns-s-2p7gT9RIsAo60E571-4bcEswwrFb5t43oiq52R_qcxophsri9jmCyBwdBeXfjEtDMoU0NmQ9AZT9NDiyOiC__J0rB3OYwsvK/s1600/IMG_4849.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfwFrDWU0KQVtmUdoSMS71L22UCOc87k75xA85QLVns-s-2p7gT9RIsAo60E571-4bcEswwrFb5t43oiq52R_qcxophsri9jmCyBwdBeXfjEtDMoU0NmQ9AZT9NDiyOiC__J0rB3OYwsvK/s1600/IMG_4849.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcgF3_qin2-GBOTjsMEMMnHsAja4fqW7c0n386b5lc1rlQ9VSxwymVtV1wHsYhyLMg-0SobB_ABDbhdHHqDW4W7sineKWp168apzHfLCsgcuqD-uhFRjagRW-75q8tRDdFQyKsgnxZqP7k/s1600/IMG_4852.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcgF3_qin2-GBOTjsMEMMnHsAja4fqW7c0n386b5lc1rlQ9VSxwymVtV1wHsYhyLMg-0SobB_ABDbhdHHqDW4W7sineKWp168apzHfLCsgcuqD-uhFRjagRW-75q8tRDdFQyKsgnxZqP7k/s1600/IMG_4852.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicDT7TVakqhXYXtHD5FjvFZibdD-xIfDdmGc6TvipwVTr_FA_MR3ywr8JljO1FOGM0ANl293lFj17TxyZXFeTxDaAkh-MK782NJA_YqyknG5lL7X0oAZswBmL0Ye15K44f7L1-1CqxjeUh/s1600/IMG_4847.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicDT7TVakqhXYXtHD5FjvFZibdD-xIfDdmGc6TvipwVTr_FA_MR3ywr8JljO1FOGM0ANl293lFj17TxyZXFeTxDaAkh-MK782NJA_YqyknG5lL7X0oAZswBmL0Ye15K44f7L1-1CqxjeUh/s1600/IMG_4847.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
Museum Explorerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09688398312149826632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-615415982531070131.post-68325811405133247032014-12-15T10:53:00.001-08:002014-12-15T10:53:33.060-08:00Congrats!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_lzVlG6VITcwNHYGW73CW-WnGg1wHEymtm660VJwiO6c1cef_hesi0m_LYNe2biBdkbfEY8yW_qtsmwPguTlzzi9-JZfHOCkZiloWc2-g1qynaCc2GGeG-AxpdCCgFBDgV-mS5ItioFq/s1600/Gini+Lt.+Gov+Office.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_lzVlG6VITcwNHYGW73CW-WnGg1wHEymtm660VJwiO6c1cef_hesi0m_LYNe2biBdkbfEY8yW_qtsmwPguTlzzi9-JZfHOCkZiloWc2-g1qynaCc2GGeG-AxpdCCgFBDgV-mS5ItioFq/s1600/Gini+Lt.+Gov+Office.jpg" height="163" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Cheers to MuseumExplorer's very own Gini Kondziolka! Our Graphic Designer has just had one of her paintings selected to hang in the State Office of the Lieutenant Governer. Gongrats, Gini!</span>Museum Explorerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09688398312149826632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-615415982531070131.post-16034128850421407132014-12-05T10:27:00.006-08:002014-12-05T10:27:56.610-08:00David Bowie Is...<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfekJ1IfOrjpnlZUJKLRJRgjZuNOL1Do_6-wA_Bl55ECeNnBX-jzoJnUGctgcQ0gCUSaRCeZf8DOMKlJrkyg9c-azpIosU8rZPKqXR4ghrntX257e5q7HekNTzoJprUl-jaCT4cPtihRE-/s1600/IMG_4634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfekJ1IfOrjpnlZUJKLRJRgjZuNOL1Do_6-wA_Bl55ECeNnBX-jzoJnUGctgcQ0gCUSaRCeZf8DOMKlJrkyg9c-azpIosU8rZPKqXR4ghrntX257e5q7HekNTzoJprUl-jaCT4cPtihRE-/s1600/IMG_4634.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To answer the question, read for yourself!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">For me, the thought
"David Bowie Is" has always been followed by an ellipsis...</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">It was never a full sentence, just a question
that sort of trailed off and I never answered for myself. Not that I
tried, but I couldn’t get a grasp on him—is he a movie star, a musician? Never
having listened to his music, or seen Labyrinth as a child (the brink, I think,
of Bowie fandom for my generation), Bowie always remained an intimidating
enigma to me, whose multiple roles I never delved into further contemplating. Well,
that changed Saturday night when I went to the Museum of Contemporary Art.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The exhibit now
showing at the MCA uses the phrase “David Bowie Is” as a title. Though it seems a pretty definitive
statement, it is presented without punctuation. It’s an open-ended invitation to you the
museum goer to finish the thought however you'd like, whatever you say is
probably right… This, to me, was still a little trepidating. Having majored in English, I’m pretty
attached to my punctuation. It makes
sense that the title wouldn’t have a period, because it wouldn’t be a complete
sentence--and because Bowie is still alive.
But then why get a retrospective exhibit? He's not retired, he's not
really the sort of artist that would be featured in an art museum.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The exhibit uses the
term “David Bowie Is” playfully throughout, in mock matinees, in posters spaced
throughout the exhibit. Actually, the phrase itself is used (playfully
enough as punctuation) throughout the exhibit. “David Bowie Is” will begin the
sentence on a poster/matinee in different rooms in the exhibit, with various
endings. Thus, there is in fact no wrong
ending to that phrase, because David Bowie is so many things.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjp9GDXsqGvA2yMD95qBri2MGXSR64UUUhbMoRUKPDsHuSnUNOVNkXmD5L5rDxH0GZ7AvihGSea5Z36h8TeCyoKaRayfnVIIbmfzsBceGqpfkbVUsCkH0GaZI999U88Ia9OjNyhQ1CgYgQ/s1600/IMG_4627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjp9GDXsqGvA2yMD95qBri2MGXSR64UUUhbMoRUKPDsHuSnUNOVNkXmD5L5rDxH0GZ7AvihGSea5Z36h8TeCyoKaRayfnVIIbmfzsBceGqpfkbVUsCkH0GaZI999U88Ia9OjNyhQ1CgYgQ/s1600/IMG_4627.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A poor example of the costume staging and use of multimedia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And, in exploring that
idea in the makeup of the artist, many other artists, musicians, authors, are
cited. Prior to seeing this, I expected
(correctly) that this retrospective exhibit might echo that of the Alexander
McQueen exhibit, “Savage Beauty,” given at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in
New York in 2011. As Bowie is a fashion
icon himself, many of his costumes and outfits were displayed at the MCA for “David
Bowie Is.” And indeed, they were dramatically
staged as runway mannequins, not unlike those designs of McQueen in “Savage
Beauty,” down to the lighting. This worked out though, given the drama of so
many of his outfits, and especially given that McQueen himself designed
several costumes for Bowie. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Costume
was not the only medium on display. Everything
from music videos, to creatively staged motion projection, photographs,
journals, notes, and countless other artifacts are on display at the MCA
attempting to give a grasp on Bowie's incredible body of work. I had no
idea just how <i>influential</i> he was
until having seen a preserved tissue of his from a concert in the 1970s. I had
no idea just how widely <i>influenced</i> he
was until seeing his notes on a copy of a novel he read. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
essential audio tour fit in nicely to this multimedia aspect. Now, if</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> you recall our post about the recent Magritte
exhibit at the Art Institute, <span style="background: white;">you know my qualm
with audio tours at museums. I hate the invasive ones, and I almost never
partake in them myself because I don't like my interpretations or
exhibit experience to be guided by a pre-recording. This audio tour,
however, was truly stellar. It actually automatically synced up to whatever
station of the exhibit you were in (confession: I had more than a little fun
stepping from spot to spot just to make sure that the tour’s motion sensors
kicked in). Perusing that powder blue Bowie once famously donned, you might overhear
soft audio from an interview with Bowie, and then it would kick into “Life on
Mars?,” which you would realize was synced up to the music video being
projected on a wall nearby, featuring that very suit. There was so much visual
and audio stimulation from one moment to the next in this exhibit, but not so
that your eyes and ears didn't know where to focus. It all flowed very nicely.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Now having gotten a
glimpse at what “David Bowie Is,” I can confidently say that Bowie remains
evermore mysterious, though more intriguing than intimidating. He is a movie
star, and yet a recording star, and yet an actor, but now after a peek under all
of those hats, the multiple roles make more sense. And this exhibit revealed even more hats that
I was not aware of--designer, makeup artist, fashion icon, voracious reader
and a pretty talented student of other icons and musicians. But getting a closer glimpse into his process
on all the media and platforms available in this exhibit, it is clear why “David
Bowie Is” has no punctuation: because that ending is continually being altered
and rewritten and added to. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"David Bowie
Is" only here until January 9th, so make sure you catch it before it
leaves!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />Museum Explorerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09688398312149826632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-615415982531070131.post-11570822891646727122014-11-15T10:19:00.000-08:002014-11-15T10:19:12.289-08:00Feigning Wealthy for Halloween: A Night at the Driehaus Museum<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPy6GDlcJ28RzIupD6dG2AOi6GEM7-LJjQEFVx120uR1XnIqeluQRtShoMX5h0UUlRQK21ym7cwNncYanIqdzt0aou8S8qcLjxKVSV5qbXlGI9WenEM6V2q_Uy6dIQYN31sROqdhMrXCYO/s1600/IMG_4174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPy6GDlcJ28RzIupD6dG2AOi6GEM7-LJjQEFVx120uR1XnIqeluQRtShoMX5h0UUlRQK21ym7cwNncYanIqdzt0aou8S8qcLjxKVSV5qbXlGI9WenEM6V2q_Uy6dIQYN31sROqdhMrXCYO/s1600/IMG_4174.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Awaiting the Swing Gitan Concert in the Ballroom</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 10pt;">As I am reluctantly
putting away my Halloween decorations and swapping them for Thanksgiving
trimmings (obviously desperately wishing it was not already winter
weather-wise), I realized we forgot to share what MuseumX did for Hallow’s
Eve! For Halloween, we pretended that we were among the wealthiest of
members of the upper class in late 19<sup>th</sup> century Chicago.
Fortunately for us (get it), that did not require us to dress in
period-appropriate costume, but it was still an immersive experience
nevertheless!</span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 10pt;">The Driehaus Museum
held a concert one Friday evening last month, featuring the musical talents of
Alfonso Ponticelli and Swing Gitan, a Chicago gypsy jazz band. For those
not familiar, gypsy jazz is a style of music combining gypsy musical elements
(including some gypsy songs, and instruments such as the violin) with jazz
standards and swing elements, played on acoustic instruments. It’s a
style chartered by Django Reinhardt (the Original Gypsy) in France during the
1930s, and yet, we learned that night, still sounds and feels completely fresh
and extemporaneous.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 10pt;">Being that we arrived
late to the chapel-style event seating, we didn’t grab a great view (or photo)
of the band, or the instruments. The photo atop this post was taken from
our seats toward the back of the room. You can see that the staff added a
bluish green filter to the lighting, which was perfect for the mood of the
music. Generally speaking, gypsy songs tend to favor the minor key, and
there are dark elements to the tone of the music (the song “Dark Eyes,” for
example). So, the bluish tinge upon the dark mahogany wood of the third
floor Ballroom lent a lovely setting for the moody and music. Fortunately, the
acoustics were plenty good from where we sat! </span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 10pt;">Ponticelli, the lead
guitarist of Swing Gitan, and started off the concert with a solo song.
Afterwards he introduced the rest of the quintet, who played rhythym guitar,
bass, violin, and a cimbalom. If the setting of this concert wasn’t
enough to take you to another time, the cimbalom definitely was. This
instrument sort of looks like a small piano with strings across the top of it,
and is played by striking beaters against those strings. It is hardly
ever used in contemporary music, and was incredible to hear live. The
talent and artistry among this group of musicians is truly amazing, and I’m so
glad I got to witness that in person! </span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj1pz4xaET4MoR4D9hXNggE05iit3G_r1WjKyONfN1jLGiymK6bQftxnEZGbHd3B4cq-waU9hy_y1j3RVkCg1aCmXOE7tItmlNv7g01W_6JWFZeA68bCuipkd8wglbNsy7J4x0KmNUxVgT/s1600/IMG_4168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj1pz4xaET4MoR4D9hXNggE05iit3G_r1WjKyONfN1jLGiymK6bQftxnEZGbHd3B4cq-waU9hy_y1j3RVkCg1aCmXOE7tItmlNv7g01W_6JWFZeA68bCuipkd8wglbNsy7J4x0KmNUxVgT/s1600/IMG_4168.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 10pt;">If in our last post I
lamented about history not being well preserved enough, the Driehaus Museum
offers a fabulous counterpoint to that complaint. The house itself-a late
19<sup>th</sup> century Italianate mansion once belonging to Samuel M.
Nickerson-has been fully restored and preserved, not to mention furnished and
decorated with period-appropriate pieces by the Richard H. Driehaus
foundation. Although we did not have enough time during this visit to
fully explore the floors of the museum, we do have several pictures of rooms on
the first level of the mansion. Here you can see a photo of the Gallery,
underneath the beautiful stained glass dome. The attention to detail here
with the furnishing and decorating is truly exquisite. You feel as if you had
walked into the Nickerson’s house only seconds after they left it. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 10pt;">And, though a prime
exemplar of historic preservation, the Driehaus Museum is among Chicago’s most
immersive. Imagine your grandmother’s carefully decorated living, which
she may or may not have taken precautions to preserve herself (vinyl sofa
covers and/or carpet protectors). Imagine the rebuking you would get
trying to play or, heaven forbid, eat in that room… Talk about a scare!
Yet here at the Driehaus museum, you can walk among these opulent decorative
pieces, and are even invited to have a drink <i>inside</i> the
Ballroom—no vinyl coverings to be found! Here, if you want to get closer
to a piece at the museum, you will most likely not be stopped by glass casing,
nor an alarm warning you that you are too close. So, although the period
and decorations of the mansion and the glory years of gypsy jazz were not
contemporary, the Driehaus was a fabulous setting for this jazz concert.
Why shouldn’t a museum known for historic preservation host a band keeping the
music of the 1930s alive? There was no costume necessary for us to feel
as though we were living history!</span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
Museum Explorerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09688398312149826632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-615415982531070131.post-71517729038513101562014-10-17T09:22:00.001-07:002014-10-17T09:22:22.144-07:00Failure, Fondness, and the Few Remaining Wonders of the Chicago World's Fair<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP_Z92U3iwHVaDmlDyTFe2O5mPt5IT-ZgzNXfXDJkEhR6hi-3w5mVfKsmwl3onAGHIZc-kAV9yNEPZ1Bw2CyRuFWJ29gVCxXFEqEFvmfgGoq8_Lji-wgudUe8DN1jON4uD8Ly6bk5B7-sh/s1600/IMG_3660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP_Z92U3iwHVaDmlDyTFe2O5mPt5IT-ZgzNXfXDJkEhR6hi-3w5mVfKsmwl3onAGHIZc-kAV9yNEPZ1Bw2CyRuFWJ29gVCxXFEqEFvmfgGoq8_Lji-wgudUe8DN1jON4uD8Ly6bk5B7-sh/s1600/IMG_3660.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Earlier this
week I mentioned a point where I was not so timely in getting to an
exhibit. That time—more specifically, a
9-month span—was my failure to make it to the “Opening the Vaults: Wonders of
the 1893 World’s Fair” exhibit on the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition at the
Field Museum. It was a failure of epic
proportions, truly. In typical fashion,
I waited until the absolute last day of the exhibit to attempt to go—a day
which also happened to be the home opener for the Chicago Bears’ 2014
season. I waited until 3:00pm on this
day to try to go to the Field Museum—a time which also happened to coincide
with the end of the Bears’ loss that day.
So I ended up waiting some more, in traffic, for two hours—the first
hour trying to venture eastbound to get the Museum campus (to no avail), the
second hour in more traffic trying to get home (I live approximately 5 miles
away). So with all this free time to
spend in gridlock, I got to thinking about what I’ve already seen from the
Chicago World’s Fair – the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKqAr2GD9DOywfcm-3bgr8Ln-STYs8Pbzr6vfsk1irXQYXtkvp0LClXss6z56p9B4Qi5RVMCrl-BHPWiYkK49NgmtL3pACqIdKAaz21UnN0LaKpfBKlqfe29mPSIGhSJ4r70cFGtKFxU0h/s1600/IMG_3825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKqAr2GD9DOywfcm-3bgr8Ln-STYs8Pbzr6vfsk1irXQYXtkvp0LClXss6z56p9B4Qi5RVMCrl-BHPWiYkK49NgmtL3pACqIdKAaz21UnN0LaKpfBKlqfe29mPSIGhSJ4r70cFGtKFxU0h/s1600/IMG_3825.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Several changes have been made to the city since 1893.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Turns out, I’ve
been to a few attractions already this summer.
First we’ll start off with my most recent ride on the Ferris Wheel at
Navy Pier. To clarify, this is not the
original Ferris Wheel that was built purposely for the fair—that one was
dismantled in 1894, relocated and eventually demolished. The Ferris Wheel at Navy Pier stands in honor
of that Original, however. At least,
that’s what the radio tour that plays during the ride would have you
believe. There is actually little
relation between the two attractions. Whereas
the Navy Pier Ferris Wheel stands at 150 feet high, the Original was a whopping
264 feet tall, a fact that literally made me get butterflies as it was recited
to me from above Navy Pier via the radio inside the gondola (view on the right!). Nor are the sites of
the two wheels close. The Original was located
on what is now park ground next to the University of Chicago campus in Hyde
Park – a stretch that still maintains its original name from the fair: The
Midway Plaissance. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSdvr_9d0EWudziEu3hWOrlAaqh6YwdIt05c4-lQE8laVVJrUV8sGJkWfOwG3X8r1MhNbqQnzITZQxsF-i4DDaU0cqJ8EnABwD4v76hnxsBTGduHrMtA5Omv3ODkxJLPMYtJwlpC_jnKy4/s1600/IMG_3663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSdvr_9d0EWudziEu3hWOrlAaqh6YwdIt05c4-lQE8laVVJrUV8sGJkWfOwG3X8r1MhNbqQnzITZQxsF-i4DDaU0cqJ8EnABwD4v76hnxsBTGduHrMtA5Omv3ODkxJLPMYtJwlpC_jnKy4/s1600/IMG_3663.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Osaka Garden - a view of the Moon Bridge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Actually, Hyde
Park is the location that holds most of the remnants of the 1893 World’s
Fair. That is where you will find the
Osaka Garden, near the lake right off of the Midway Plaissance. Located in Jackson Park on the Wooded Isle,
this garden was constructed as an exhibit in the Fair, at the behest of the
Japanese government. While the garden
remains located on the original location from 1893, it had to be reconstructed
after having been vandalized during WWII.
Turns out the park has an interesting history of its own (which you can
read about </span><a href="http://www.hydepark.org/parks/osaka2.htm" style="font-family: Georgia, serif;" target="_blank">here</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">). What stands today is what you can see here in
these pictures I took: a beautiful Japanese strolling garden, with several
ponds, a waterfall, plants, trees, a Moon bridge, and the pavilion a few steps
away. From this view, only steps away
from the lagoon the garden shares with the Museum of Science and Industry overlooks,
it is easy to imagine how the grounds may have looked in 1893. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGa481U6kofjWrtlsZ9pRgALig0s6RXd8xgTIVXu2y_ZrLqAk51W4P7QCkpTZKRuTZx7HDXZ2RNfHl6OuJ7IinSbfNgNzq4LoJbtrAwpEd5LTXEU1qFAnvQz1f2IKdZsj9hJ8KobomTB5k/s1600/IMG_3674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGa481U6kofjWrtlsZ9pRgALig0s6RXd8xgTIVXu2y_ZrLqAk51W4P7QCkpTZKRuTZx7HDXZ2RNfHl6OuJ7IinSbfNgNzq4LoJbtrAwpEd5LTXEU1qFAnvQz1f2IKdZsj9hJ8KobomTB5k/s1600/IMG_3674.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can't you picture the gondolas?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">The Museum of
Science and Industry is located in a building which originally was the Palace
of Fine Arts for the Fair. During the Fair,
the South entrance of the building was the main entrance, where visitors sailed
up in gondolas from the North Pond (today known as the Columbia Basin, which is
part of the lagoon the building sits on).
While the Museum of Science and Industry is indefinitely worth a visit
of its own accord (which we will grant soon enough), this fine summer day I
visited, I could not help but imagine what the building was like during the
1893 World’s Fair. It was the
inspiration for this wistful picture you see here (personally, I think it was
mildly cruel of the museum to leave these doors open and forbid people to walk
out through them). Never have I felt
more nostalgic than on this day at the South entrance of the Palace of Fine
Arts. It literally pains me to look at
the breathtaking pictures from the Columbian Exposition (particularly the
images of the Court of Honor) and know that we have so little left of those
many works of art. Add to that my failure to visit those few
remaining wonders at the Field Museum exhibit… Talk about pain!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Museum Explorerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09688398312149826632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-615415982531070131.post-84128925831899371612014-10-14T14:22:00.001-07:002014-10-14T14:22:19.872-07:00Live-Action Frogger: Navigating "The Mystery of the Ordinary" at the Art Institute<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFVYYD8EMrJIxKooMTBQ9ditglqL6nf1KWpzX0oh5kyUb08x43aMyexkb4kCC9Um9Gkz3JkGIA6B2usD5CknieqUfxfOVQfXvii_qHyU1Xx-0cz6c45iEijmGpn-6lrBwqyy9tTcDnmDQP/s1600/IMG_4124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFVYYD8EMrJIxKooMTBQ9ditglqL6nf1KWpzX0oh5kyUb08x43aMyexkb4kCC9Um9Gkz3JkGIA6B2usD5CknieqUfxfOVQfXvii_qHyU1Xx-0cz6c45iEijmGpn-6lrBwqyy9tTcDnmDQP/s1600/IMG_4124.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Magritte: The Mystery of the Ordinary 1926-1938 at the Art Institute of Chicago</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">While many people were reaching their personal bests in the
Chicago Marathon Sunday morning, I was also able to accomplish a personal
goal: getting to an exhibit before it
closed! (Our next post will share an
instance I was not so timely) <b>Magritte: The
Mystery of the Ordinary 1926-1938 </b>closed yesterday at the Art Institute of
Chicago, and I was able to sneak in before they shut the doors on it!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Confession: I hate
big exhibits like this, only because of the throngs of people snaking through
the gallery trying to get by. It’s
disruptive to a good gallery experience—too many irksome things going on to
really be able to connect with the works.
It was very dumb of me, then, to wait until Magritte’s final days to go
see it, as the crowds were even heftier than usual. Actually, the Chicago Marathon provided a
great foil to this exhibit experience: the participants outside running freely
through the streets of Chicago, compared to the dozens of people inside the Art
Institute slowly shuffling through cramped quarters in The Mystery of the
Ordinary. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP8Zi7A0Ahk-U-Gh8rdQqPSsJnwhk4l0HJ6jdzv2qTmAfGGl-bWmbyoEntMm-7sXlW9-9RNJ5Annsh22SUeudJ2Wu31z1G-UJUoUjSO20qwJmZpq59HZJH9SXshar-Z9L70Qic8t5KWxtF/s1600/IMG_4117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP8Zi7A0Ahk-U-Gh8rdQqPSsJnwhk4l0HJ6jdzv2qTmAfGGl-bWmbyoEntMm-7sXlW9-9RNJ5Annsh22SUeudJ2Wu31z1G-UJUoUjSO20qwJmZpq59HZJH9SXshar-Z9L70Qic8t5KWxtF/s1600/IMG_4117.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Those Darn Audio Tour Devices!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Add on to this my introduction to the new/different audio
tour devices, and the experience was mildly aggravating. Approaching Regenstein hall, I thought it odd
there was a crowd of people on their cell phones standing in front of the exhibit
introduction label. Imagine how angry I
was when all of those same people were still on their phones inside the
gallery! At some point I realized that these
people were not cell phones, but in fact the devices used for the audio tours
for the exhibit. At a closer glance, the
devices sort of looked like calculators or maybe a large cordless house
phone. The tour was rather loudly
playing out of the speakers of the “personal” device, which made it hard for
the audio to be controlled. What was odd to me was that none of them came with
headphones…so the audio tour really was available to everyone in the gallery
for the exhibit (whether or not you wanted that), if you weren’t already
distracted by the ever-glowing light of the devices. I was amazed that the stewards inside the
gallery were able to pick out the cell phones from all the audio tour devices!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That said, the exhibit itself was very well done. AIC made great use of the sheer space of the
gallery in terms of placement of the works.
Although the exhibit only covered Magritte’s works from a 12-year period,
there were many, many paintings to be displayed—what a prolific artist he was! Fortunately each work was given ample space
for consideration, and I loved the way the moody gray paint really let Magritte’s
colorful works shine all on their own. Although
I did not receive the time with each painting that I would have liked, it was
very easy to grasp that Magritte’s ideas are timeless and provocative. “The
False Mirror” (the giant, round eyeball reflecting clouds) is among my favorite
works of his for this very reason – it’s just so <i>meta</i>. It was quite something
to see in person. With “The False Mirror”
and Magritte’s other works, it is easy to think that his painting is rather
straightforward appearance-wise, given that his subject matter tends toward the
use of everyday items presented in an unconventional method. Viewing these pieces online, for instance,
gives you zero clue as to his incredible way with depth and distance. In person, the clouds on/in/against the iris
of “The False Mirror” leap off the canvas; you feel like you could fall into the
eye itself, it looks so dimensional. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuia234kjwxKTW3soU0RXyf0mM7Q8cPobNIwJhpqbVZeuvO5dXo4Hn5wAuZkysYch1ob1cjZ00wQd2yKbV81Ibc70H7VVJbxStRoDBaIaVpzzPcjne3wW1R-XKbPBKJyXVjdku5TWonTLo/s1600/IMG_4120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuia234kjwxKTW3soU0RXyf0mM7Q8cPobNIwJhpqbVZeuvO5dXo4Hn5wAuZkysYch1ob1cjZ00wQd2yKbV81Ibc70H7VVJbxStRoDBaIaVpzzPcjne3wW1R-XKbPBKJyXVjdku5TWonTLo/s1600/IMG_4120.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view of "The Gigantic Days," from behind some tall people</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This was also true of seeing “Time Transfixed” in
person. That train protruding from the
fire place also truly appears to be jutting out at you leaping off the
canvas. Take if you will a picture of this
particular moment, to get a sense of this exhibit experience: there I am,
attempting to follow the steward's </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">advice at viewing “Time Transfixed” from the
left of the picture and then the right (so as the highlight the genius and
presence of that train). There, too, are
3 groups of 5 people stationed in front of the painting, so I try to go from
left to right, blocked by the middle group of people. I try to go around that middle group of
people, think I am in the clear, when another person cuts me off and I have to
veer yet again out of the way. Who knew
one would need such navigational skills inside an exhibit! It was not unlike live-action Frogger… Left, Right, and then out the door to relish the fresh air and personal space!</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"></span></div>
Museum Explorerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09688398312149826632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-615415982531070131.post-60536826741616405082014-10-07T11:26:00.000-07:002014-10-07T11:28:52.270-07:00The Great Chicago Fire Festival: Fizzle on the River<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD63nGjt5mqu1MEA9A0tShAGS1e-l93mN6YltujTzk6wPRb9qcPTlBbVdcXrNLFqiRX93NAaKj9ThoVK1bvHwNFhDZzLGemOU3g43OTSmZLgIFTquUxr2xFYjRo1ciCdat3qXtgBjGfbSq/s1600/IMG_4058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD63nGjt5mqu1MEA9A0tShAGS1e-l93mN6YltujTzk6wPRb9qcPTlBbVdcXrNLFqiRX93NAaKj9ThoVK1bvHwNFhDZzLGemOU3g43OTSmZLgIFTquUxr2xFYjRo1ciCdat3qXtgBjGfbSq/s1600/IMG_4058.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As you’ve heard by now, the
inaugural Great Chicago Fire Festival ended up being anti-climactic. It
was the best-attended portion of the festival (whose day-time festivities
included crafts, food trucks and several small performances), but in basic terms,
the crowds really came out to see stuff get lit up. Who wouldn’t love a pyro parade! Thousands (me,
more importantly) braved the cold Saturday night to catch a glimpse of an
inferno on the river. That spark
never caught on, due to electrical problems, the precipitation that week,
etc. You’ve already read all about that, I’m sure, so you’ve probably
also seen the backlash about the night being an epic flop. But, I am writing
to defend the Festival, despite all of the glitches. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The parade started off on
the right foot. Stage lighting cast different colors upon the 1800-style
house floats, in anticipation of the flames they was supposed to have been lit
up with later. Rob Stafford emceed the symbolic lighting of the
neighborhood cauldrons, which were then trailed down the river for all to
see. A steamship-inspired boat floated down and puffed some preliminary
flames for the crowds (which ultimately seemed more Halloween-appropriate,
given the creepy slow effect, clown-like appearance and accompanying Danny
Elfman-sounding music). Then, the cool part: the Chicago Children’s
Choir performed, perched atop an architecture tour boat. Having been
stationed on Wabash facing westward, I was fortunate enough to witness the
opening to this chorus. It makes for a great clip on our Facebook page!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But from that point
on, the flames were supposed to take over, and…nothing happened. For
about 35 minutes, nothing happened. Just a bunch of folks standing around
in the cold waiting to see something while (unfortunately) that creepy Danny
Elfman-like song played for a long while (too long). Eventually Rob
Stafford came on to announce the technical difficulties, and eventually the
technicians conjured some measly flames on the float that was nearest
Wabash. But the inferno was not to be. So, lights, cameras,
and no action, really, until they ended with the fireworks. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So, yes, ultimately it
was a little disappointing to have the pyrotechnics fizzle. But there is
still a bright side to this whole event. Note that the weather this
evening was pretty cold, still damp, and a little windy. And yet, many
people still came. Mostly everyone stuck around until the bitter end,
despite the wait time and soggy parade floats. People still enjoyed their
hot chocolates, still got their Instagram pictures (guilty), still got to be
outdoors amid the bright lights in spite of the depressing weather forecast and
looming winter season. Don’t think that
people still didn’t enjoy the evening.
The Festival has plenty of potential to expand upon next year if it is
(hopefully) held again—with better organization and more flammable parade
floats the spectacle could really take off.
We Chicagoans are already familiar with looking forward to ‘next year’
for a better performance. What’s another
festival to add to the list of sports teams, right?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> -Jessica</span></div>
Museum Explorerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09688398312149826632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-615415982531070131.post-5412852390026653312014-09-03T08:42:00.003-07:002014-09-03T08:42:56.359-07:00Dancing in the Rain<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK9nSSHAJWV7-_QqCfXEEvnIgqqZFIr-2jNt6zcwFMh6Pjlmwxf63omANl9BVK2eUEA_P53hbEn8JJLCyBVoj2bWmUCUYCU_uAUQAkNP4u2Xk4SXv7muTMZlEndxdg3x3P-1MoRVCA8kaR/s1600/photo3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK9nSSHAJWV7-_QqCfXEEvnIgqqZFIr-2jNt6zcwFMh6Pjlmwxf63omANl9BVK2eUEA_P53hbEn8JJLCyBVoj2bWmUCUYCU_uAUQAkNP4u2Xk4SXv7muTMZlEndxdg3x3P-1MoRVCA8kaR/s1600/photo3.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the Rain on the Terrace</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Earlier
we promised posts of summer weather at museums, as an effort to keep good
spirits up given the impending end of the season. Well (as you know), not all summer weather is
sunny. The other week at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, there was bad
weather again – but our good spirits remained intact!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The
draw for visiting the museum that particular day (although, there are many to
choose from) was the free Manual Cinema workshop performance being given on the
MCA Stage. We’ve been following Manual
Cinema’s work for a bit now, and we were thrilled to see that they are
collaborating with the MCA on a performance!
Manual Cinema does truly unique work in puppetry and performance,
incorporating live music, editing, and even animation into their work. They combine all of these elements to
accompany their shadow puppets using overhead projectors, producing
extraordinary results. The performance
that took place that Tuesday was to a workshop for <i>Mementos Mori</i>, their latest feature length show.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ayLew-SfB5Sg9gXJxFc6pDyoyyoYgDz_uTflnsHUhVGf2Pn8v8eVNM2A-bElUfYfUkpxQQuLhC2wtQLWKIeyzbMaJNUhPhcYSwvk60F1MxzT0ZpqdR0Dy1jVBX-ZCxFN5qSlMeuM20-w/s1600/photo1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ayLew-SfB5Sg9gXJxFc6pDyoyyoYgDz_uTflnsHUhVGf2Pn8v8eVNM2A-bElUfYfUkpxQQuLhC2wtQLWKIeyzbMaJNUhPhcYSwvk60F1MxzT0ZpqdR0Dy1jVBX-ZCxFN5qSlMeuM20-w/s1600/photo1.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The
workshop performance offered us (the lucky 300 or so visitors) a preview of <i>Mementos Mori</i>, with a few scenes from
the feature, as well as a discussion afterward with company members, performers
and directors. The feature focuses on how
technology in the digital age affects our concept and experiences of death… So
in the preview we were given, Mementos Mori featured instances such as texting
while bicycling, religious iconography depicting death, and even butchering. It’s a unique but totally relevant topic, and
the imagery presenting these scenarios was just incredible. Unfortunately, I couldn’t take a photo during
the performance for you all to see, but you can peep a few images from <i>Mementos Mori</i> here: </span><a href="http://manualcinema.com/shows-in-rep/mementos-mori/"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">http://manualcinema.com/shows-in-rep/mementos-mori/</span></a><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">. Stylistically, this was a performance unlike
anything else I’ve ever seen, with the live puppetry, live action, live music
and singing. During the Q&A session
held with the team after the performance (which I was able to snap a pic of
here), the audience didn’t have questions as much as they did praise for the
performers. Everyone left looking forward to the full performance in January as
part of the Chicago International Puppetry Festival.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWe17PCzjLvPvO4OjyNjf7cLtiZ8ExcrcsbzwARsv6a1wmozBL6Yt86kmd1p7yyHgwvNF0wsvHDwz-91M-bbJxo3-CZqWJRppULtnHU-EFIo9dUgq4YIdnVHdPb18UtJ9m34lFWX4Pz7B-/s1600/photo2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWe17PCzjLvPvO4OjyNjf7cLtiZ8ExcrcsbzwARsv6a1wmozBL6Yt86kmd1p7yyHgwvNF0wsvHDwz-91M-bbJxo3-CZqWJRppULtnHU-EFIo9dUgq4YIdnVHdPb18UtJ9m34lFWX4Pz7B-/s1600/photo2.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">But
that’s not where the fun ended! The
workshop performance let out in time to catch the last hour of Tuesdays on the
Terrace, the free weekly Jazz concert held on the terrace on Tuesdays during
the summer. As we mentioned before, the
weather was bad on this particular day – but the band played on, as they
say. The concert ended up being held
inside Puck’s café, which is just inside the terrace. Despite the rain, we went outside on the
terrace anyway (it’s one of the best backyards in Chicago), and saw that the
rain did nothing to dampen the spirits of people around the museum: there were
still people dancing outside, eating outside, even playing tennis while the
rain fell, all to the tunes of Tatsu Aoki and the Miyumi Project. People milled around the dueling didgeridoos
(see right) inside the exhibit halls, peeping the Frida Kahlo and Simon
Starling works as the music wafted through the museum. It was truly a great sensory experience for
visitors to the museum that night – and the best part that of the night was
that all of the programs were FREE! We
will be back at the MCA soon for the much-anticipated “David Bowie Is” exhibit,
along with the rest of Chicago, so stay tuned!</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span></div>
<br />
-Jessica <o:p></o:p>Museum Explorerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09688398312149826632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-615415982531070131.post-47565721064094256432014-08-25T10:26:00.000-07:002014-08-25T10:26:00.921-07:00The Summer Sun in the Gardens of AIC<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj29cSmWcD2gpRRLT4fP9yZQ6qNJGkga6Wzf6WI57L3zBqTrtnO0onrI4xVGxLGDsLF78mGqQKe8jnGXz_CfVC6ReEb-ZQB1OIf8iHldWPpVlc4Iauxq1Xf1MgnoaHnVS3gbx8J3Vtp9OSP/s1600/10348462_831366150248270_1640794689194230265_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj29cSmWcD2gpRRLT4fP9yZQ6qNJGkga6Wzf6WI57L3zBqTrtnO0onrI4xVGxLGDsLF78mGqQKe8jnGXz_CfVC6ReEb-ZQB1OIf8iHldWPpVlc4Iauxq1Xf1MgnoaHnVS3gbx8J3Vtp9OSP/s1600/10348462_831366150248270_1640794689194230265_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Pritzker Garden</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Today
everyone is officially back in school, so it might seem like summer has
technically come to a close. But if you
hadn’t picked up on this yet, it seems our summer weather has only just begun –
just in time for the remaining 29 days of the season. So, until the Autumnal Equinox gets here, you
should get yourself to the remaining summer events at the museums! </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">You might have noticed that we’ve been to a few already this
summer, and we will be posting about a few more this week (to make you feel
just the slightest bit more sociable now that everyone’s cooped up for the
session).</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQu5ejiiks7C44vrm7OZd7YLdtFHam2eTAqN94B21OR5SQH_XZ9fn_9lw22nYWBNVKxPdvWGv3GjsboyK2Eu7YgB1DB3aUepN6CO9JQXdr1Oqu52SDdeXK-_fFF1YLUIA4u9Au-WaxAdAk/s1600/10511241_2478945810189_869935319833963211_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQu5ejiiks7C44vrm7OZd7YLdtFHam2eTAqN94B21OR5SQH_XZ9fn_9lw22nYWBNVKxPdvWGv3GjsboyK2Eu7YgB1DB3aUepN6CO9JQXdr1Oqu52SDdeXK-_fFF1YLUIA4u9Au-WaxAdAk/s1600/10511241_2478945810189_869935319833963211_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">One of our recent trips was to the Art Institute of
Chicago. Last month we went to the AIC for Martini Mondays, a summertime event
bolstering “libations, light bites, live music and special exhibition viewings.”
This particular program (different from the monthly “Art After Dark” and “Night
Heist” events the AIC already hosts) varies from month to month in location,
trying to make use of the outdoor spaces of the museum before leading inward to
a particular exhibit inside. July’s
event started off in the Pritzker Garden – the bright, sunny courtyard amid the
trees, located off the east side of the Modern Wing. There were several tables offering generous amounts
of antipasto options (the Art Institute provides some of the best food at these
events), as well as a few bartenders mixing up pretty martinis (pictured
right!) and the standard bar classics.
Visitors dined and sipped as the sun lowered in the skyline, all to the
tune of a live jazz band at the end of the courtyard. It was as lovely as it sounds!</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Post-martini, this event was to lead back inside for a
special look at the “Chicagoisms” exhibit.
Sadly, there was a misco<o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">mmunication and “Chicagoisms” ended up being
closed that night, so the museum instead had the Classics hallways opened for
the guests. Although I had been looking
forward to viewing the “Chicagoisms” architecture exhibit, this was no great
disappointment. The cool blue hallways
hosting the Greek, Roman and Byzantine works are among my favorite spots in the
museum - for the jewelry, artwork and sculpture as much as for the views overlooking
the pretty garden and fountains of McKinlock court below. As an added bonus, we got to watch the sun finally
disappear behind the buildings downtown.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg60cQ-ppz0Wgrex_L5HrHQRV_obKq2ZpmU2SPldINLRA1pqLCc6ygEbOa38appY9X2kiowY-QdzUzb87xOtPIt2csLiTYofziA6xdVv67eCf4BaCulWU67UEFhBMdOqi1Jk-N2FDMyOzXO/s1600/Untitled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg60cQ-ppz0Wgrex_L5HrHQRV_obKq2ZpmU2SPldINLRA1pqLCc6ygEbOa38appY9X2kiowY-QdzUzb87xOtPIt2csLiTYofziA6xdVv67eCf4BaCulWU67UEFhBMdOqi1Jk-N2FDMyOzXO/s1600/Untitled.jpg" height="288" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sun sets over McKinlock Court</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This event provided visitors all the best things that summer
in Chicago has to offer. The weather was
perfect, and it was easy to see why the AIC would add a third program to their
already full schedule of social events.
The gardens of the museum are so peaceful and visually beautiful, and
yet we are only offered a few short months to enjoy them. Incidentally, tonight is the last Martini
Monday of the summer. So get yourself
there before the summer does officially end!
You can go <a href="http://www.artic.edu/event/martini-monday-9" target="_blank">here</a> to buy tickets.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Museum Explorerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09688398312149826632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-615415982531070131.post-15421874819555425292014-08-01T07:53:00.003-07:002014-08-01T07:53:47.679-07:00Cartwheeling<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Since early May, Museum Explorer has really been “with the program,”
so-to-speak. It kicked off with the release
of our article on program carts published by the National Association of Museum
Exhibition (N.A.M.E.) in their Spring issue of The Exhibitionist (vol. 33, no.
1, Spring 2014). The issue, dedicated to ‘Intentionally Designed Spaces,’
includes our contribution “Exhibition Carts: Intentionally Design Spaces on the
Move” by Museum Explorer staff, Rich Faron and Jessica Banda. The article is
still available from N.A.M.E. on their site (<a href="http://name-aam.org/uploads/downloadables/EXH.spr_14/6%20EXH%20SP%2014%20Faron_Banda_Exhibition%20Carts.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>), but here's a refresher excerpt:</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Program carts are wonderful tools for
responding to this increasing pressure facing exhibitors. As a method of
flexible program delivery, these carts provide activities that fulfill a
variety of purposes, from conveying mission content, to serving as a changing
marquee, to supporting local school curricula. Because carts bring staff,
objects, and an exhibit-like experience into direct contact with visitors, they
provide an intimate and simple means for establishing and building a dialogue
with the public.”</span><o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Our article was so well received that of the dozen articles
published in that issue, ours was among only 3 that were selected to be
highlighted on the N.A.M.E. web site and made available via PDF through a link
with their web site.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But…that wasn’t even the biggest deal. In May N.A.M.E. invited us (Jessica Banda and
Rich Faron) to participate in a Twitter Chat that was by all accounts,
including our own, a huge success. The chat
was hosted by on June 26<sup>th</sup> by Dana Allen-Greil (Digital Outreach Manager at the Smithsonian
Museum, National Gallery of Art), and included participants from museum
of all kinds from all around the country. If you missed it you can still recap
and read the tweets by clicking the <a href="https://storify.com/NAMExhibitions/exhibitchat-designing-interactive-exhibition-cart" target="_blank">link</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But wait - that’s not all! It’s one thing
to write, talk and tweet about carts, but in the end the most important thing
is to actually <i>design</i> and <i>build</i> carts! We’re proud to report that we are currently
designing and working with our fabricator on 3 brand new cart designs for <a href="http://www.lpzoo.org/" target="_blank">Lincoln Park Zoo</a>, the
<a href="http://www.brevardzoo.org/" target="_blank">Brevard Zoo</a> in Melbourne, Florida, and the
<a href="http://www.napersettlement.org/" target="_blank">Naper Settlement</a> in Naperville, Illinois. Additionally, we’ve been developing some
brand new program materials for the <i>History
a la Cart </i>programs at the<a href="http://www.chicagohs.org/education/fieldtrip/museumvisit" target="_blank"> Chicago History Museum</a>!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So…we are keeping busy! But so far it has been a great summer and
here’s hoping that it keeps on ROLLING!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Museum Explorerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09688398312149826632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-615415982531070131.post-71645965074401459792014-07-29T09:57:00.000-07:002014-07-29T09:57:10.055-07:00Something Good Brewing at the Field Museum!<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8cAkhueOHSUt6IkqlxtAsZI-B-cKMCknl_PZwP_kDqzcy69RysmZyhBAbwQVOZEsNiUjqnlVszxi9T_PHUMzC5Z19QK7l8GGdKztXeGqSVuv0uUtDf50Hj3inhyaDmWASSJ9y_xYpJryW/s1600/photo2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8cAkhueOHSUt6IkqlxtAsZI-B-cKMCknl_PZwP_kDqzcy69RysmZyhBAbwQVOZEsNiUjqnlVszxi9T_PHUMzC5Z19QK7l8GGdKztXeGqSVuv0uUtDf50Hj3inhyaDmWASSJ9y_xYpJryW/s1600/photo2.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Hopefully,
by now, you have gleaned this point from us – but museums have come quite a
ways from quiet, stuffy places where you can walk but not run and look at but
not touch the things behind the glass. A museum is not a place reserved
only for field trips to be led by stern, stuffy people droning on facts. Museum people are constantly finding new ways
of redefining the word: be it updating public spaces, bringing the museum to
non-conventional spaces, or simply taking you behind the glass.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In
a recent push to stay contemporary, many museums have developed “night series
programming,” offering a chance for 20- and 30-something museum-goers to be
ushered into the museum in a more social setting (not to be confused with the
very cool overnight programming for younger children that many museums also
bolster). Fortunately for Chicagoans,
all of the local big museums offer many such events—and we were pleased to go
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhBLK7Zk9xwr4Rvpj07XtZh0tDf7nLXKMFyTIGgDNNCcFCcYC_R8r09wbwCsFjO1IRdNMeDoYlapKdh64gPs_tqvGXH1wV6SIXdiq0I2229lOGFBDCyFAc1Y8VnEQc7eWMWzGNz9uuCyMO/s1600/photo4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhBLK7Zk9xwr4Rvpj07XtZh0tDf7nLXKMFyTIGgDNNCcFCcYC_R8r09wbwCsFjO1IRdNMeDoYlapKdh64gPs_tqvGXH1wV6SIXdiq0I2229lOGFBDCyFAc1Y8VnEQc7eWMWzGNz9uuCyMO/s1600/photo4.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jim and Jason Ebel (the Two Brothers)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
to the Field Museum’s newest such offering, “Hop to It! At the Field.” The
Field Museum collaborated with Two Brothers Brewery and chef Cleetus Friedman to
create Cabinet of Curiosities – a very tasty white IPA with hints of coriander
and citrus. This event was held very simply to celebrate the release of that
creation - and what fun it was!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The
night started with the food pairings Friedman created for the event, as well as
a generous tasting of the new release Cabinet of Curiosities. For all of the
other beer-loving museum-goers out there, this event was certainly worth the
money – guests were provided 6 (six!!) drink tickets upon entry, which allowed
you to get a taste of everything they had to offer on tap at the Field Bistro,
as well as a commemorative glass celebrating the release (if you got to the
event early enough). The Curator of
Anthropology, Jim Philips, was on hand to give a rare intimate demonstration of
ancient methods of beer production and storage.
The Two Brothers themselves then spoke for a bit to explain the
collaboration process with the Field Museum in creating their new brew, there
was another toast, and everyone was able to move into the Stanley Field Hall to
enjoy more food, drinks, and live music.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-size: 8.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipDH8Iwt8KSJoLVHfWCf3psJ69cUUfqFa16D99frhWXbs0ScdyD_zSJmy0Jmhc3K3MPLLymKGhxotVr0s-1sXuXWcW3y5msgIAgFVTjsIjzsVxpCRXO0T4DAe6Ns5ZEkBPBXDqv1dEIPxu/s1600/photo1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipDH8Iwt8KSJoLVHfWCf3psJ69cUUfqFa16D99frhWXbs0ScdyD_zSJmy0Jmhc3K3MPLLymKGhxotVr0s-1sXuXWcW3y5msgIAgFVTjsIjzsVxpCRXO0T4DAe6Ns5ZEkBPBXDqv1dEIPxu/s1600/photo1.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In Conclusion: Cabinet of Curiosities is great!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This
is only the second such event the Field Museum has done, but you would never
know it. As far as the nightlife events at museums go (which are becoming
ever more popular), this is the best one I’ve attended. This event felt different
than some of the other “after dark” events I’ve been to at the museums –
meaning it was a little bit more sophisticated, lacking the enormous lines for
the bathrooms, and fortunately devoid of (most) of the sloppy drunken
socialites. It was organized, thoughtful,
and fun, so they have definitely brewed up a good thing! We’re looking forward to the next event they
host. But in the meantime, you don’t
even have to go the South Loop for a taste of the Field Museum – you can try
Cabinet of Curiosities now at your local supermarket!</span></span><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Museum Explorerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09688398312149826632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-615415982531070131.post-91888762583077610022014-07-02T08:44:00.001-07:002014-07-02T08:44:58.277-07:00This Summer: Stay in Touch!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZfzX2NTy3srC7Bi9fjnG6SrE82fKhLEx6_iDuw9zYae1v1ZhBNKZ5wZSJKeNOdJ2rnPYbQnd7DbC3tRK4DZkT6qkorenldy-Q7oHV_KCQ-9zMst6fwHg-hpUloaOE_G8CpeSFK8kve-Cq/s1600/photo2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZfzX2NTy3srC7Bi9fjnG6SrE82fKhLEx6_iDuw9zYae1v1ZhBNKZ5wZSJKeNOdJ2rnPYbQnd7DbC3tRK4DZkT6qkorenldy-Q7oHV_KCQ-9zMst6fwHg-hpUloaOE_G8CpeSFK8kve-Cq/s1600/photo2.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You might
have spotted this elsewhere (everywhere) in our work, but here at Museum Explorer,
we are fond of the <b>Head Heart Hands</b>
approach. That is to say, we engage the
visitor through their <b><u>Head</u></b> by
targeting visitor interests, inviting exploration and inquiry, and <u>giving
them something to think about</u>; we
engage the visitor’s <b><u>Heart</u></b> by
appealing to visitor awareness in ways that inspire personal connections, and <u>giving
them something to care about</u>; and we engage the visitor’s <b><u>Hands</u> </b>by stimulating curiosity
with interactive learning techniques that encourage discovery and sharing, by <u>giving
them something to do</u>. But it’s fun
to be on the other side of the exhibit as well, so you can imagine our delight
at getting to experience this approach in museums as visitors.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We’ve stopped by a few museums already this
summer (and more to come), and have had a few chances to go beyond the glass
and experience museums first hand (!).
You read about our trip to the Peggy Notebart Nature Museum, but what we
forgot to mention was our chance to get in touch with the nature! In the Istock Family Look-in Lab, we got up
close and personal with a snake from the museum’s “living collection,” which you can see up top. Volunteers were there to explain how to
properly pet the reptile, as well as to offer tips on the regions it lived
in. Unfortunately we got so wrapped up
in getting to pet the animal that we forgot what kind of snake it is! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO29TO2cFI6nBTYVbz05G25L6EAOQBebodQMp3tpGRSXQvarLmPHHcvPU8vxh15MCrb8GMnMMY-exAEa0cdmZgYCLBp4omPueS-bYPC-ELiXs6OGfYEveHpAMfhlWTZTYcDXAn1rMZMHgf/s1600/photo1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO29TO2cFI6nBTYVbz05G25L6EAOQBebodQMp3tpGRSXQvarLmPHHcvPU8vxh15MCrb8GMnMMY-exAEa0cdmZgYCLBp4omPueS-bYPC-ELiXs6OGfYEveHpAMfhlWTZTYcDXAn1rMZMHgf/s1600/photo1.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">At the Shedd Aquarium, it is time again for
their “Stingray Touch” experience. Note
that the Shedd refers to it as an experience rather than an exhibit, because
you pretty much get to dive right in.
The stingrays, housed outside of the museum on a beautiful patio, circle
the shallow pool as visitors – like us! – get the chance to pet them. It’s an odd thing, petting a tropical cownose
ray while overlooking downtown Chicago, </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">but it is certainly a great
experience to be able to get close to an animal not encountered in everyday
life. This is the closest you will
probably ever come to being the lucky scuba diver in the tank at the “Caribbean
Reef”! Beyond the stingrays, the Shedd
offers visitors the chance to touch live Sturgeon “At Home on the Great Lakes,”
and Starfish in the “Sea Star Touch” at the “Polar Play Zone.” If you’re willing to submerge your hand in
freezing water for a few minutes, it’s definitely worth reaching out for! </span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But how can you really understand what we’re
talking about if you don’t experience for yourself? Get out there and take matters into your own
hands!</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Museum Explorerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09688398312149826632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-615415982531070131.post-20190492584796114752014-06-16T11:24:00.001-07:002014-06-16T11:24:20.499-07:00Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum: A Museum with a Message<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKGjretyaxaxdUkxX7v9O3SXGs5BjBKErf-6Itj7LgclFaCZcD77nSZm18xWsPYpu5h2pZ0Uklc-r1wyMKoL_C4HQAfjHY8Kzorp8B7PwH3K2fxSe52qCrSi2uL-UnapFWJGYoVJW551uK/s1600/photo5note.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKGjretyaxaxdUkxX7v9O3SXGs5BjBKErf-6Itj7LgclFaCZcD77nSZm18xWsPYpu5h2pZ0Uklc-r1wyMKoL_C4HQAfjHY8Kzorp8B7PwH3K2fxSe52qCrSi2uL-UnapFWJGYoVJW551uK/s1600/photo5note.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What do you think of when you see the word <i>museum</i>?
A stuffy, stale place where you can walk but not run, with old stuff
behind the glass that you can look at but not touch? Well, obviously… we hope not. Clearly we are working to prove you wrong,
and should have your mind changed very soon.
If you do still happen to share this unfortunate conception of museums,
get thee to the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum and prepare to be surprised!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Museum</i> has always
had a positive connotation for me, I’ve frequent many of them in my day, and
the Nature Museum was still able to surprise me. First off, it looks different than the other
major museums in Chicago, which are of the Neoclassical style of
architecture. The Nature Museum is that
modern looking, angular and inviting white building you see peeking from the
trees of Lincoln Park. It’s a total
sanctuary located in the middle of the park, offering beautiful views of the
city, of the trees and plants around it, and even the lagoon! I cannot speak highly enough of the Butterfly
Haven there, which is easily one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever
been. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidKzmaE46IKwMN36t6IZKMXSpPbmZRHXCSL5EBFCGlpEoI57KGX82PLf4GJ8NLjzsMsxrgLMoJOiFh2eygtaTvnFIiB5whFmYAgWqpoTNJgm1iH-Px3xC9TY1jrYbEPNMoFGW3X45v4LG6/s1600/photo4note.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidKzmaE46IKwMN36t6IZKMXSpPbmZRHXCSL5EBFCGlpEoI57KGX82PLf4GJ8NLjzsMsxrgLMoJOiFh2eygtaTvnFIiB5whFmYAgWqpoTNJgm1iH-Px3xC9TY1jrYbEPNMoFGW3X45v4LG6/s1600/photo4note.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hangin' around the Judy Istock Butterfly Haven</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What surprised me more beyond the sheer visual delights the
building has to offer, though, was the museum’s distinct style of
presentation. The exhibits are clearly
fashioned to engage the visitor—at any age—with touch, understanding, and the
ability to take that experience home with you.
The “Extreme Green House” exhibit, for instance, offers people a closer
look at their own homes by touring a very familiar-looking house of the Green
family. Panels explain where the water
in your kitchen sink comes from and where it goes, how much energy is used by
your washing machine, even what kind of insects are typically found in a house
and what they do! To this point, the
Nature Museum even has panels inside the stalls in their public restrooms,
offering tips on how to conserve water in your toilet at home. Although offered
in a beautiful setting, the Nature Museum does not soften their message:
conservation. While they make it purely
accessible to the visitor by offering insight and tips, they also provide some
not-so-nice images of what can happen when efforts to conserve and protect
nature are not met. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkHlgluADWFb77uIMFgKAbEIf7MxjVZG8zm9guBf34agY6okuVaFZh0Vgz8Pp7NdVOv0fO8U8iJLu_koPSJlJM7f67q5NNz-nE8mavtXLjysn38xvwuTVYfx8oMW2rSvE9egHFysNtYz2S/s1600/photo2note.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkHlgluADWFb77uIMFgKAbEIf7MxjVZG8zm9guBf34agY6okuVaFZh0Vgz8Pp7NdVOv0fO8U8iJLu_koPSJlJM7f67q5NNz-nE8mavtXLjysn38xvwuTVYfx8oMW2rSvE9egHFysNtYz2S/s1600/photo2note.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This year marks the 100<sup>th</sup> anniversary of the
extinction of the Passenger Pigeon—a species that at one point was abundant
enough to reach the billions. Human
fault, specifically overhunting and deforestation, led to this demise—a point
the Nature Museum does not make light of.
Passing through the “Birds of Chicago” and “Wilderness Walk” exhibits,
you see many taxidermied animals in recreations of their natural habitats-be it
forest, savannah, or desert. This is
fairly standard practice, to have taxidermists pose animals to look as they
would as they were living, and then place them in real-looking natural settings
to even further liven things up. But the
Passenger Pigeon is given no such display at the museum; no florid background
surrounding it, no accompanying animals to distract you from it. As you can see pictured here, the
Passenger Pigeon is not gussied up whatsoever.
It was jarring to see in person, as a museum-goer is accustomed to the
still life displays of taxidermy. The
Passenger Pigeon was not that experience. The specimen is displayed in the most stark and sterile way possible: laid down on
its back with its belly to the air, eyes white, tag on its toe. And it is here that the Nature Museum makes
the best use of reaching out to people from behind the glass. This, the accompanying panel offers, is what
“can happen when we don’t take care of our planet…share it with your
friends”! This creature is behind the
glass because we put it here, it’s long gone and this is all we have left to
show. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ECMOJERk6NrUW8GLUO8S7H3J2WPBpLtQQndgXH7FlSGtzSeEkJmBx_eba_fXjuDSSjPC57iwXDXNOswcD0Di4Pf2HBd_6jetzViBHA4abj7jCkUI4YkGc-5lIEipdylJJtkh4EEKemNd/s1600/photo3note.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ECMOJERk6NrUW8GLUO8S7H3J2WPBpLtQQndgXH7FlSGtzSeEkJmBx_eba_fXjuDSSjPC57iwXDXNOswcD0Di4Pf2HBd_6jetzViBHA4abj7jCkUI4YkGc-5lIEipdylJJtkh4EEKemNd/s1600/photo3note.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Call to Action</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As a visitor, you do not have a flat line experience
here. From the highs of beauty and the
liveliness amid the butterflies and birds in the Butterfly Haven, to the useful
tips for preservation and prevention at home, to the dangers of being trapped
behind the glass, the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum has a distinct mission for
the conservation of nature in all forms. Point taken. What a powerful message
indeed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Jessica</span></div>
Museum Explorerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09688398312149826632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-615415982531070131.post-40817173521856261052014-05-23T12:25:00.003-07:002014-05-23T12:29:37.109-07:00Visiting the Bard<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN06l1NixgKiZLJrFBcSidAejZ55zW0AHmt2G5RPv9a2BvqZEiaAUGAgv1qc6SuOI_KKb043JdJy1wIB2XGcW_NDJLVZx7H9g8gcqlILShjGhOqpMJLGMDaOvAo9BJ6fgdRBbbYi-cnXRi/s1600/photo2+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN06l1NixgKiZLJrFBcSidAejZ55zW0AHmt2G5RPv9a2BvqZEiaAUGAgv1qc6SuOI_KKb043JdJy1wIB2XGcW_NDJLVZx7H9g8gcqlILShjGhOqpMJLGMDaOvAo9BJ6fgdRBbbYi-cnXRi/s1600/photo2+(1).jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">A few weeks ago,
I paid a visit to the Newberry Library’s recent exhibition, “The Bard is Born.” </span><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Aparajita;">Having never
been to the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="il"><span style="background: #FFFFCC; color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Aparajita;">Newberry </span></span><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Aparajita;">before, I was excited to finally get a peek inside of this
beautiful building, and even more eager to do so for something Shakespeare-related
(bear in mind I was an English major in college and has been an avid fan of
Shakespeare since high school)! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Aparajita;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Aparajita;">Given the name, I was expecting and
desperately hoping for biographical information about Shakespeare, but the
title was given due to the timing of the exhibition—opened on April 23</span><sup><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">rd</span></sup><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> to mark the 450<sup>th</sup> birthday of the
Bard. Newberry interpreted “birth” as the rise of the star, the icon, not
so much the actual birth of the person, so Shakespeare’s upbringing remains
mysterious as ever. There were a few
items lending a brief idea of what life was like at the time Shakespeare was
born and growing up, others from during his lifetime that might have influenced
his writing, but that’s as much biography as I got. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">From that point, the exhibit jumped to the
afterlife for old Shakes, after he had become an icon, via 18<sup>th</sup>-century
pamphlets and posters of early commemorations of his birthday. Most interesting
to me were the depictions of Shakespeare as a national treasure, not only for
England (obviously), but as a treasure for the United States as well. There were a few featured published works
including claims by Americans that Shakespeare was just as dear to Americans as
to England because his works were widely studied and regarded there as
well. This particular inclusion amused
me most: a reprint of a painting I had never seen before, </span><em><span style="color: #191919; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: normal; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The
Infant Shakespeare Attended by Nature and the Muses </span></em><em><span style="color: #191919; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">by British
painter George Romney. </span></em><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">As you can see
below, it depicts Shakespeare’s birth much like that of a saint or even a Greek
god. Indeed, even the muses of classical Greek myth are present for his
nativity! </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;">It is a little much, but I have always cherished Shakespeare as something of a godsend myself. I can relate!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><br /></span><em><span style="color: #191919; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT4A2gyiQxk5iNqDDB1haVJnIIWaW0M9AYK-JUUo_XnXlc62SdfpAvPeiWC53K7XHnxM82RTS-W0tayWeNZCZ4BTSHKUU61oJ_ZGgGataK1cLo0EyWCLdu_9Nhaa8qTfaGhKqEvMD_JXIe/s1600/photo1+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT4A2gyiQxk5iNqDDB1haVJnIIWaW0M9AYK-JUUo_XnXlc62SdfpAvPeiWC53K7XHnxM82RTS-W0tayWeNZCZ4BTSHKUU61oJ_ZGgGataK1cLo0EyWCLdu_9Nhaa8qTfaGhKqEvMD_JXIe/s1600/photo1+(1).jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #191919; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">A reprint of<i> The Infant Shakespeare Attended by Nature and
the Muses </i></span><em><span style="color: #191919; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; line-height: 115%;">by British painter George Romney, 1803</span></em></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></em></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="il"><span style="background: #FFFFCC; color: #222222; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="il"><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 204); color: #222222;">Newberry</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #222222;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: #222222;">had said that it was
using “Henry V” as a lens through which to focus the exhibit. Indeed, many of the items on display were dedicated
to the play, including both a Third Quarto and a First Folio edition of “Henry
V,” which is a powerful thing to see if you have never had the opportunity to
before (I had, but they are still awesome to behold in person). Above all
other foci, though, the takeaway point of the exhibit was Chicago’s own
connection to the play, and to Shakespeare. It was the first production
the Chicago Shakespeare Theater had ever put on (although CST was not known by
that name at the time). The marked up manuscripts from the director of
the second production </span><span style="background: white; color: #222222;">in<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span>1997 were interesting to see. People
can always benefit from looking at someone else’s perspective when it comes to
Shakespeare, if only because there is so much to be gleaned from his writing
that you might not have noticed on your own. It was very cool to learn
how Chicago has grown with “Henry V” over time, even going back as far as<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span>the mid-19<sup>th</sup>-century with “Henry V” being staged in theaters
as well as in early Shakespeare in the Park-type programming. And of
course, they even had a poster of the CST’s current, ongoing production of
Henry V (through June 15)! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Chicago still has ties to Shakespeare,
even all these years later. In the end, “The Bard is Born” did well to
prove that the regard for Shakespeare as a national, even a local icon is
totally valid—wherever that feeling might be held. From the 1769 Shakespeare Jubilee held at the
birthplace of Stratford-upon-Avon, to this very exhibit itself, we all still
can and do feel roused and even included in that famous “band of brothers” when
we read, see or hear it. Chicago has no personal
or biographical connections to Shakespeare himself, and yet his works are still
so powerful and beloved here that we do in fact have a long history with the
Bard.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Museum Explorerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09688398312149826632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-615415982531070131.post-62975337958564728642014-05-15T09:59:00.000-07:002014-05-15T09:59:08.856-07:00A Proud Moment for Program Carts<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Congratulations to Rich Faron and Jessica Banda! Recently,
Rich and Jessica had an article published in the <i>Exhibitionist</i>, a highly esteemed journal among museum professionals
published by the National Association for Museum Exhibition. Following the theme of this Spring edition,
the article, “Exhibition Carts: Intentionally Designed Spaces on the Move,”
explores the program cart as an intentionally designed space. As the program carts are a favorite here at
Museum Explorer, you can bet we are excited about this publication. You can
read the full article below, but click <b><a href="http://name-aam.org/uploads/downloadables/EXH.spr_14/6%20EXH%20SP%2014%20Faron_Banda_Exhibition%20Carts.pdf" target="_blank">this link</a></b> to view it in its entirety on the official NAME website (pictures
included)! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1VeW7ZK2cMCYIhW2ZlH6itPiQCF57q7XwbyqrcELdwe-gw1LS12j3PvMGPXo9VaUshK7NMGDEDfWCfAyZv-2R0OYms6b8z4k6sn1c2YlhkwK2zQ4k19POIcWyq6H3Spc8fK4XAhwZ1aRD/s1600/S2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1VeW7ZK2cMCYIhW2ZlH6itPiQCF57q7XwbyqrcELdwe-gw1LS12j3PvMGPXo9VaUshK7NMGDEDfWCfAyZv-2R0OYms6b8z4k6sn1c2YlhkwK2zQ4k19POIcWyq6H3Spc8fK4XAhwZ1aRD/s1600/S2014.jpg" height="320" width="246" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Cover of the Issue, "Spring 2014: Intentionally Designed Spaces"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Exhibition
Carts: Intentionally Designed Spaces on the Move</span></b><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Gretchen%20Jennings" datetime="2014-03-07T10:04"><o:p></o:p></ins></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">By
Rich Faron and Jessica Banda<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">The
intentionality behind all design work is problem-solving. While many forms of design
process exist, history and tradition reveal that until recently, the typical
exhibit developer-engaged in efforts defined by hours of talking, researching,
coffee clutching, sketching, pencil sharpening, mouse pushing, ceiling staring and
wishful thinking—hoping for that “a-ha!” moment. Recently, though (and
especially over the last 10 years), conscious advancements have been made to
sharpen the lens of the overall design process by refocusing attention on meeting audience needs and expectations with
conscious intent. <span class="msoDel"><del cite="mailto:Gretchen%20Jennings" datetime="2014-03-07T11:09"><o:p></o:p></del></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">The
biggest changes have come about in the area of upfront investigation: the collecting
and collating of data regarding the end user. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="square">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Who is the visitor? <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">What are visitor interests? <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">What do they care about? <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">What are their needs? <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">What is the spatial<span style="color: red;"> </span>context? <o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">This surge
in audience research has transformed the once opaque process of exhibit design
into something much more transparent, allowing designers to organize the entire
process into four distinct steps - 1)<i>Investigate
& Analyze; </i>2)<i>Concept & Test; </i>3)<i>Revise
& Design; </i>and 4), <i>Build &
Implement</i>. In order to differentiate
this approach from more traditional forms of design problem-solving,<span style="color: #0070c0;"> </span>we now refer to the entire process as <i>experience design. </i>And note that the word ‘experience’
replaces ‘exhibit’ here—not merely for buzz benefit, but because <i>experience design</i> indicates a greater
possibility to approach design with some form of intent. Today, a more
discriminating public is looking for both excitement and educational
enrichment. The stakes are higher than ever for modern museums, zoos, and
aquariums because every destination must be visitor-centered. The goal: be
prepared to capture and hold the imagination of an always-evolving audience
free to make choices: free to go elsewhere and free to do something different. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Carts as Intentionally
Designed Spaces<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Program
carts are wonderful tools for responding to this increasing pressure facing
exhibitors. As a method of flexible
program delivery, these carts provide activities that<span style="color: red;"> </span>fulfill
a variety of purposes, from conveying mission content, to serving as a changing
marquee, to supporting local school curricula.
Because carts bring staff, objects, and an exhibit-like experience into
direct contact with visitors, they provide an intimate<span style="color: red;"> </span>and
simple means for establishing and building a dialogue with the public. As self-contained platforms, carts are <i>spaces </i>that are able to move throughout
a facility in order to find people, deliver an experience, and start an
open-ended face-to-face exchange. Simply
put, this new approach allows public programmers to intentionally develop,
design and<span style="color: red;"> </span>deliver customized experiences that
are all at once interactive, compact, and mobile. </span><s><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></s></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">To realize intent, a simple set of three standard
reference points or new tools have been developed that help keep the designer
on track, offering a universal method for tinkering throughout the process no
matter the museum, mission<span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Gretchen%20Jennings" datetime="2014-03-07T10:20">,</ins></span> or
message. Our designers at <i>Museum Explorer</i>
keep the following principles close at hand throughout the process of creating
exhibition carts:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-right: -.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: -.5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">• <b>HEAD</b>
<u>Target visitor interest.</u> Give the audience something to wonder about.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: -.5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"> Develop
and design a content highlight, some nugget of information that ignites <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: -.5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">interest and invites direct exploration and
inquiry. (Give people something to <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: -.5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">THINK about).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: -.5in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: -.5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">•<b> HEART</b>
<u>Appeal to visitor awareness</u>. Define an intimate environment. Design <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: -.5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">clear conduits that allow the audience to make a
personal connection with the program <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: -.5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">narrative. Discover a way to incorporate a center
of awareness in every cart design. (Help<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: -.5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"> people
find something to CARE about).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: -.5in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: -81.0pt; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">• <b>HANDS</b>
<u>Engage visitor curiosity.</u> Welcome the audience to put their hands on
things. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: -81.0pt; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Merge visitor interactivity with the overall flow
and story arch of the program. Create simple<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: -81.0pt; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">and comfortable physical connections that
stimulate natural human curiosity and encourage <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: -81.0pt; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">discovery through sharing and conversation. (Give
people something to DO).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">As varied examples of how intentionally designed program carts are created
for various settings (an art museum, a history museum, and zoo), this article
will discuss the following carts: “Art à la Cart,” “History à la Cart,” and<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"> “Animals
Like Us,” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Carts Build
Visitor Collaboration and Engagement: Smithsonian American Art Museum<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">The design process for program carts at the
Smithsonian American Art Museum, was primarily a matter of shifting a
perception about the nature of these carts. Jennifer Brundage, National
Outreach Manager at the Smithsonian Institution, spoke to the concept of mobile
learning centers in 2011. In an entry
for the Smithsonian’s <i>Affiliate</i> blog,
Brundage confessed that she had “come to think of educational carts in the
galleries as the Clydesdales of the field – the workhorses that are low-tech,
straightforward” (2011). Fortunately
though, Brundage went on to admit that she was “wrong” about her initial notion
of program carts, changing her mind after a 2011 brown bag lunch session where
educators at the Smithsonian gathered for a presentation by guest speakers Rich
Faron of Museum Explorer and Heidi Moisan from the Chicago History Museum
regarding program carts—at the behest of Susan Nichols. Brundage reflected afterward that, “through a
slideshow of case studies and prototypes it became clear that their examples
did not reflect the cart [she] had come to stereotype.” Rather, “they presented carts as an
appealing, active launch pad for visitor team-building, collaboration and a deeper
engagement with exhibitions” (Brundage, March 22, 2011). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">As visitor collaboration is not something that
often occurs in quiet art museums, bringing this object into the Smithsonian
American Art Museum of all places was something of a novel idea. The simple intent of moving a program cart (a
box) into a gallery (four walls covered in expensive art), can be a challenge
in such a conservative setting. But the
SAAM wanted direct and active visitor engagement, so Museum Explorer created
“Art à la Cart”: five mobile carts for use throughout the Museum that further
engage visitors with artwork by providing interactive hands-on activities for
them. Though all white in design with
simple stark flags, these Art à la carts are still a colorful idea in such a
prestigious setting. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="BodyB" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="BodyB" style="line-height: 200%;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Carts Empower Visitors to Interact with History: Chicago History
Museum</span></b><i><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="BodyB" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="BodyB" style="line-height: 200%;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">At the
Chicago History Museum, program carts address a need for a very specific
audience. Here, history is not locked away in vaults or even behind glass
(with some exceptions), but rather is made accessible to visitors—especially
young local students—through inviting dialogue, opportunities to touch, and
descriptive but relatable museum labels to provide a full historical<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>experience</i>. Exhibition carts
naturally fit into an environment like this, providing a different platform for
making history accessible through direct visitor engagement. <span style="color: #222222;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> <span style="color: #222222;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">As part
of the “History à la Cart” program, we designed multiple mobile learning carts
for the museum, including “Prairie Landscape” and “The Great Chicago Fire.” When Chicago Public School children come to
learn about these locally-important moments in history, they actively implement
their learning. For example, they can
physically measure how tall prairie grass was in order to visualize early
Chicago, and they can map the path of the Great Chicago fire to assess the vast
scope of the damage. <span style="color: #222222;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">According
to Lynn McRainey, Director of Education at the Chicago History Museum, carts
such as these “define a place where collaboration, conversations and children’s
curiosity are a priority” (personal communication, December 2013). In an
environment where so many young students come to enhance their learning at
school, the “History à la Cart” program at CHM provide spaces (six exhibition
carts, to be precise) complimenting school curriculum. Here, carts
“empower children to move out of their passive roles of being told history into
active participants in the discovery process”
(personal communication, December 19, 2013). <span style="color: #222222;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Carts Encourage
Exploration and Enable Visitors to Control their Experience: Lincoln Park Zoo<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Allison Price, Director of Education at the
Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago, at first questioned program carts’ abilities to
hold on to visitors. </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-no-proof: yes;">The intentional design process <i>“</i>proved its mettle<i>” </i>on
their program cart “Animals Like Us,” a collaborative effort with Museum
Explorer Inc. Through a series of
probing questions and trial and error, Price and her team discovered that their
typical “show and tell” program delivery was not working with audiences. “[My team at Lincoln Park Zoo] kept coming
back to our guest experience. What
should a visit to a cart feel like? What should guests be able to do?,” Price
asked. The answer to these questions was
simple. They deduced that “guests should
be able to explore the animal kingdom on their own terms,” and should “walk
away not just with information, but with provocation.” As a result, the
designers decided “ Animals Like Us” and its program would be designed “so that
the guests control the program flow, and so that exploration is valued equal to
or more than information”(personal communication, December 3,2013).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-no-proof: yes;">Designing a cart for a zoo setting proved to have its own
challenges. In this space, there are many
stimuli competing for attention – sights, sounds, smells, flavors. In order to become its own space in a place
like this, a program cart has to be colorful and loud and inviting all on its
own. “Animals Like Us” was created for
the Lincoln Park Zoo with these qualities in mind, offering colorful and large
signs, real animal skulls for visitor engagement, and a life-size human model
standing adjacent to it. This cart has
no problem maintaining its own space. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-no-proof: yes;">“What resulted from our probing questions [in the design
process] is a cart that, since its unveling, has captivated everyone from the 5
year-old to the 95 year-old, first-time visitors and long-time trustees,” Price
says (personal communication). Indeed,
data supported Price’s findings. A 2013
study conducted by the Garibay Group on program carts at the Lincoln Park Zoo
(including “Animals Like Us”), reported that,
“on a scale from 1 to 4 (1 being ‘disagree strongly’ and 4 being ‘agree
strongly’), 149 of 150 respondents rated their agreement with the statement ‘We
really enjoyed our experience at the station’ as a 3 or 4” (2013). Research typically focuses on quantitative
data about what visitors learned, but it is important to note that this
particular study also takes enjoyment into account. Enjoyment is not often cited as a reason for
what people get out of a visit to a museum or zoo, but this evaluation strongly
emphasized that “visitors enjoyed their experiences at the stations,” primarily
<i>because </i>there was learning
involved. While visitors often cited
“enjoying the hands-on or interactive nature of the stations,” the most common
response “concerned enjoying information conveyed during the interaction”
(Garibay Group, 2013). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">A big idea in a small package? That is exactly
what an exhibit cart is. Load it up and cruise the halls and galleries of your
museum until you find an audience. It’s a possibility worth imagining because
intentional design can work! It’s not only a fix--refocusing a message or
reengineering interactivity--it’s about setting out and intending to capture that
‘instant’ of initial human interest and managing that moment as it unfolds and
grows into a genuine experience.
Further, that experience can generate a memory of a great museum visit.<u><o:p></o:p></u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">The
key to program carts’ success rests in remaining flexible making a commitment
to anticipate change through audience research<span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Gretchen%20Jennings" datetime="2014-03-07T11:00">,</ins></span>
and then adapting as needed to meet the visitor’s mind, senses and spirit. One
measure of success is reflected in the higher numbers of participation and
stay-time by visitors. Whether adults, families, or children in school groups,
all audiences are showing an increasing willingness to draw on their own sense
of wonder and curiosity as they investigate, analyze and interpret new museum
content designed with them in mind. Carts are succeeding because they invite
all visitors to participate equally in a process of direct exchange and
discovery. </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The result: carts are effective because they engage
people via the combination of live programmers and the common interactive space
of the cart. Carts aren’t just visitor-centered, they are people powered. In a
nutshell, carts WHEEL VISITORS IN.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Museum Explorerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09688398312149826632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-615415982531070131.post-54966743587399646232014-03-24T12:24:00.004-07:002014-03-24T12:24:55.285-07:00A Trip to the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmSsxPSaN5K1QUcBMFybRfS9fTaLaG6Mgp8XBxtGn_UDpDE1ProiVnthc7s25mfGWbpkod5x7aVCHnJOb0avI-d-ixNqS8xIYuZTZWtyAYMSfJZYNaX_pAkNoObML379oGShyphenhyphenkMRc-Ce3n/s1600/photo4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmSsxPSaN5K1QUcBMFybRfS9fTaLaG6Mgp8XBxtGn_UDpDE1ProiVnthc7s25mfGWbpkod5x7aVCHnJOb0avI-d-ixNqS8xIYuZTZWtyAYMSfJZYNaX_pAkNoObML379oGShyphenhyphenkMRc-Ce3n/s1600/photo4.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The exterior of the UIMA</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Walking to the
Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art in Chicago, all you can see are Ukrainian
flags--waving in the wind off the porches of homes, hanging in the windows of
businesses, even oddly positioned out of apartment buildings just so that they
can be seen. As the UIMA is located in the heart of the city's Ukrainian
Village, this would normally not be such an unusual thing (in the city of
neighborhoods that is so prone to local pride)... Except that there are so <i>many</i>
of them, everywhere. Along with the flags in many of these windows, there
are signs (also in the shape and design of the Ukrainian flag) that read
'United We Stand for Ukraine.' Clearly going beyond simple neighborhood
pride, these flags and signs present a powerful political message. In wake
of the political turmoil overseas, this local neighborhood is quietly and
strongly offering support of the Ukrainian peoples.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It is odd, then, to
arrive at the UIMA museum and find no such mention or display of the
Revolution. An institution for Ukrainian culture, modern art, and
experience in Chicago since 1971, the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art Chicago
is one place you might expect to see something, anything regarding the current
political events. Even though there were no flags hanging boldly, no
"United We Stand" signs displayed, no message to the public, the
museum quietly spoke volumes on the subject nevertheless. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">There are two
galleries here--one side gallery housing the museum's Permanent Collection, and
the main gallery housing the special Exhibits--the current one being
"Survival, Spirits, Dreams, Nightmares" (at least until the end of
the month). The Permanent Collection is comprised of contemporary works
made in Chicago or by artists with both ties to Chicago and the Ukraine.
Though small, this gallery had a strong lineup of items from the
Permanent Collection (numbering over 900 objects in total), including
"Luke 1:35" by Lialia Kuchma. Referencing the Annunciation of
the birth of Jesus to Mary, Kuchma's beautiful blue and yellow tapestry can be
seen (kinda) pictured below, toward the left of the photo of the gallery.
Here's a better look at the work here: <a href="http://uima-chicago.org/artwork/luke-135/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc;">http://uima-chicago.org/artwork/luke-135/</span></a>.
Given the color scheme, this work is the closest object in the museum
resembling the Ukrainian flag, but was just one of many items representing the
Ukrainian heritage.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC6YuOUV8w6amPhdHPZ7NBZQB5tSeovBmOTxr3IK3js9YkJ29nbXHjTePbH6VHb06R8gKwjLS4WVJo56M5FvTZmXCuqF6F2-BAAbxgRXNFuQkO6fz8FUFUncVc46ol-CCpBZFQB_7oBYke/s1600/photo3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC6YuOUV8w6amPhdHPZ7NBZQB5tSeovBmOTxr3IK3js9YkJ29nbXHjTePbH6VHb06R8gKwjLS4WVJo56M5FvTZmXCuqF6F2-BAAbxgRXNFuQkO6fz8FUFUncVc46ol-CCpBZFQB_7oBYke/s1600/photo3.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The side gallery featuring works from the museum's Permanent Collection</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In the main
gallery, the special exhibit "Survival, Spirit, Dreams, Nightmares"
seemed not to have any ties to that heritage--at first. While all four
artists Rene Hugo Arceo, Mark Nelson, Yohanon Petrovsky-Shtern and Peter Dallos
have Chicago ties (or, had, as UIMA bills Dallos as an "ex-Chicagoan),
this link was not made obvious in the museum (and was completely unbeknownst to
the writer). Each artist clearly speaks from a unique cultural
background. Arceo's linocut prints of elements of traditional Mexican culture
are vastly different from Dallos' struggle-themed sculptures. Petrovsky-Shtern's
"Nightmare"-ish acrylics on canvas depict worlds and places disparate
from those in Nelson's acrylics. But in a second trip around the gallery,
looking at each work again with a "big picture" lens, the ties to
Ukrainian heritage and current conflict became apparent.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaKQjFpsVbsdT_N23-YyfT0lfXgHhMHD9NcuHN8KXvHzrLF7ZtERpjWkyRO3oS0hLMLNQxS9YMkFZqVUXofMIoDOTbgFrMXiBZYMAY6BWKCB3Ox5T9kqCha5XPWX5dEXfZ1v0ysvjeUx-w/s1600/photo1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaKQjFpsVbsdT_N23-YyfT0lfXgHhMHD9NcuHN8KXvHzrLF7ZtERpjWkyRO3oS0hLMLNQxS9YMkFZqVUXofMIoDOTbgFrMXiBZYMAY6BWKCB3Ox5T9kqCha5XPWX5dEXfZ1v0ysvjeUx-w/s1600/photo1.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Family." Yohanan Petrovsky-Shtern. 2012.<br />The label posits: "Human beings secure their own freedom and independence by using the wreckage of the previous slavery as building blocks. In doing so, are they protecting or enslaving themselves?"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The purpose of this
exhibit, as per the UIMA, is to ultimately feature the "power of the human
spirit in overcoming adversity" in these works. Though from
geographically and culturally different perspectives unrelated to Ukraine, these
works offer glimpses of the Ukrainian experience of the current struggle in the
face of unrest. While this is most likely a matter of the timing of the exhibit
coinciding with the unrest overseas, "Survival, Spirit, Dreams,
Nightmares" nevertheless feels extremely relevant to the Revolution,
prompting questions into the influences and the emotions involved in the
Ukrainian revolution. Can Dallos' "Struggle" sculptures be used
to depict the conflict between the Soviets and the Ukrainian people now?
Do the questions Petrovsky-Shtern raise in his "Family"
painting apply to the Ukrainian Revolution? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sticking to its
mission statement in presenting "contemporary art as a shared expression of the
Ukrainian and American experience," the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art
wisely uses these varied works to offer a quiet, powerful reflection on what
the Ukrainian experience might currently feel like in the distress it now faces. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Museum Explorerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09688398312149826632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-615415982531070131.post-64454017324820669922014-02-24T10:13:00.005-08:002014-02-24T10:13:45.077-08:00Getting Back in the Swing of Things<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT502fR8utvcm76c0qxV5Vxj2g6vjH30N75L-73RFy2qXwh6G2w9vCEjUvEABzB67NLy9pJKJ4MRnD03DUf72Z4sZJ5xOmtI7lJX01nqxfAMw8z6saLU-eAO49EC_rZxE88ZLnezYJm8nq/s1600/Chagall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT502fR8utvcm76c0qxV5Vxj2g6vjH30N75L-73RFy2qXwh6G2w9vCEjUvEABzB67NLy9pJKJ4MRnD03DUf72Z4sZJ5xOmtI7lJX01nqxfAMw8z6saLU-eAO49EC_rZxE88ZLnezYJm8nq/s1600/Chagall.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Last week, winter finally got to me. I was officially over the snow and the drab
and the traffic and the hibernating, so I decided to take a trip to the Art
Institute of Chicago for some inspiration.
I was losing brain cells from the consistent winter schedule of running
home to sweatpants and Netflix binges, so I needed an intellectual change. En route to turning this new leaf, I of
course encountered more snow, traffic, and cold temperatures, again tempting me
to be deterred from making it to AIC, or any place other than straight to my
bed. I suffered through the 1:45
minutes’ worth of traffic to finally arrive downtown, but unfortunately this
epic poem of getting to the museum did not end there.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Having reserved a parking spot online in a nearby garage, I
made my way over to the Adams and Wabash area.
Not having fully read the instructions or directions that came with the
parking reservation, however, I ended up in the wrong garage. This mistake took all of 2 minutes for me to
realize, and still cost me $12.00 to correct.
Aggravated and not feeling so well, I eventually--finally--walked the
few blocks from the proper garage to AIC—and believe me, the cold temperature
that day became more refreshing than annoying by this point in my trip.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiziDss-TTNhyphenhyphensj99FgjMYOZCauIWsj6_n9fgCZb-Dvy4oKFD4_-Mn92_OWld_s0cILFOZiV6CUKOk9_ExZgwDoeaQOVH8t_m_JP9zlt8Qdq8N3b4bAXtcKoEAnAo1ZHVSQcMB2kddFHXiG/s1600/Busts+of+Silenus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiziDss-TTNhyphenhyphensj99FgjMYOZCauIWsj6_n9fgCZb-Dvy4oKFD4_-Mn92_OWld_s0cILFOZiV6CUKOk9_ExZgwDoeaQOVH8t_m_JP9zlt8Qdq8N3b4bAXtcKoEAnAo1ZHVSQcMB2kddFHXiG/s1600/Busts+of+Silenus.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Busts of Silenus (<i>Busts Fashioned in the Shape of Silenoi</i>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Art Institute looked a little light on exhibits that
day. “The Production Line of Happiness” seemed
to be the only exhibit among the empty galleries in the Modern Wing, which I didn’t
stick around for (there was a lot of reading involved and I wasn’t in the mood). So back to the main building, I headed over
to the Chagall <i>America Windows</i>, and
just stood there basking for a bit in the blue glow. Then I walked through the
hall of Greek and Roman art, admiring how these Silenus busts of ugly drunken
spirits (pictured) do so closely resemble the drunks littering Clark street day
in and day out. And so on I went to one
of the newer exhibitions, “When the Greeks Ruled Egypt.” The history of Ancient Egypt has a special
place in my heart, so I made sure to spend time here reading and learning. Before going home, I decided to make a trip
to my favorite spot in the entire museum, the Sculpture Court. I enjoy the quiet and the lighting there, so
it was good I got a calming fix in before my somewhat traumatic experience in
the American Modern galleries upstairs.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I will reiterate that I was not feeling well this day, and
was also a little out of it. Eventually
the AIC was able to turn my aggravation of the day into a sort of absorbent daze
as I looked at the different works of art.
So, still in this daze, I happen upon my favorite Ivan Albright
paintings (<i>That Which I Should Have Done
and Did Not Do </i>and <i>Picture of Dorian
Gray), </i>admiring the incredible detail and skill, and floating over to other
interesting paintings. At this point,
mid-float, I noticed that my giant purse was touching the metal low rail protecting
the painting, so I tried to avoid that happening and moved in a way that my
knee instead made contact with the metal low rail, so much so that it knocked
it to the ground (out of the floor it had been securely screwed into). There was a clatter of metal banging, and I
sort of stood there for a moment in disbelief before slyly looking around the
gallery to see if anyone had noticed (one man did, and told me it would be
better to leave the items where they fell).
Fortunately a security guard was not there to witness in person,
although one did quickly come into the room surveying the situation. Upon hoofing it the hell out of that gallery
and heard the discrepancy being reported over a walkie-talkie, I noticed that a section of American Modern was empty and roped off for construction. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyYgG32oGyN5sL9kg5TAl0DczYcXRh1Fv_CIA2p7-pSphq12uAGLhGsdxzImO58Pi6OGHV3qgqd2DHUwccR0QGd4SkkZ361yjgqkFEfXnev123v5KeV8hi19ed7rqofkY3-4QsORamLg9y/s1600/The+Hippodrome,+London+by+Everett+Shinn+(the+one+that+lured+me+into+defacing+the+low+rail).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyYgG32oGyN5sL9kg5TAl0DczYcXRh1Fv_CIA2p7-pSphq12uAGLhGsdxzImO58Pi6OGHV3qgqd2DHUwccR0QGd4SkkZ361yjgqkFEfXnev123v5KeV8hi19ed7rqofkY3-4QsORamLg9y/s1600/The+Hippodrome,+London+by+Everett+Shinn+(the+one+that+lured+me+into+defacing+the+low+rail).jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Hippodrome, London</i> by Everett Shinn (aka the painting that lured me into defacing the low rail)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As I walked through the familiar-yet-favorite Indian and
Himilayan art in Alsdorff Galleries, I realized that the emptiness and
construction I saw in the Modern American and Modern Wings did not bother me so
much after all. Despite the bruise from
my mishap upstairs and the headache I had been combating that day, I was still
able get a fulfilling trip out of seeing my favorite spots and pieces in the
museum. Although I may have seen the <i>Chagall Windows</i> and <i>Dorian Gray</i> a hundred times already, they never cease to amaze
me. Their color and detail were more
than I had seen in all the three months of being buried under the snow. And I even found a new favorite painting--even though it may have led me to deface the museum. Leaning in to watch that circus performer swing from the ceiling of <i>The Hippodrome, </i>knocking into the low rail, might have been just the kick I needed to get back on track. I left AIC feeling satisfied, on to finish
the epic poem of getting home and into those sweatpants. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
-Jessica</div>
Museum Explorerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09688398312149826632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-615415982531070131.post-61184390307062310882013-08-12T11:53:00.003-07:002013-08-12T11:53:24.653-07:00Feces Save Species<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxx8Nf08POLpKX65VNj_pMFilP1GYIbUHnC5k6QV4ihp-zfBoM4nEMg_LTeom7QkYpJBV1ZibVNkOHuBJEAbxbQLyq0c6IGpGqw4zYDKXrf1auzcN9sWfAbhPGEN4fURJiE3opKzw82zzC/s1600/Feces+Save+Species.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxx8Nf08POLpKX65VNj_pMFilP1GYIbUHnC5k6QV4ihp-zfBoM4nEMg_LTeom7QkYpJBV1ZibVNkOHuBJEAbxbQLyq0c6IGpGqw4zYDKXrf1auzcN9sWfAbhPGEN4fURJiE3opKzw82zzC/s320/Feces+Save+Species.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="color: black;">Last December (<a href="http://museumexplorer.blogspot.com/2012/12/creative-constipation.html">here</a>) we introduced you to Amanda Berlinski and her 'Eureka' moment as she worked with Museum Explorer to develop the concept for the Lincoln Park Zoo <strong>POOP</strong> cart. Well that <strong><em>A-Ha</em></strong> moment has turned into a reality and to the delight of hundreds of visitors to the Zoo.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="color: black;"> </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="color: black;">The cart, now called <i>Feces Save Species</i>, helps visitors learn why its so important for scientists working at the Zoo to roll up their sleeves and sink their hands into piles of crap every single day--dung of every size, shape and weight. By examining what comes out of the 'business end' of animals, Zoo scientists can monitor their health. They observe it, identify it, process it and analyze it! WOW what a load of work!</span></div>
Museum Explorerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09688398312149826632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-615415982531070131.post-14813265919497515132013-07-16T10:19:00.001-07:002013-07-16T10:19:54.720-07:00Museum Explorer WELCOMES Leslie Goddard!<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Leslie is a talented historian and public speaker with an IMPRESSIVE
resume and range of knowledge. Her
newest endeavor will be to assist MuseumX on a historical museum project, and
we couldn’t be more pleased to have her. Check out her introduction below!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzuHatLQa3IeyUff2q8AUEYVYbV18Dzg0LOaQGWqsP3_eFvNt_BNF6DjdmJySKkvgyhBQesY44Rxptqnjv98b_i5vJTA8oYgoJGdX6L9D44hrg_1_HgG3bpYZtCF9s2rbN0HL0V1gmirwV/s1600/Jackie+color_high+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzuHatLQa3IeyUff2q8AUEYVYbV18Dzg0LOaQGWqsP3_eFvNt_BNF6DjdmJySKkvgyhBQesY44Rxptqnjv98b_i5vJTA8oYgoJGdX6L9D44hrg_1_HgG3bpYZtCF9s2rbN0HL0V1gmirwV/s320/Jackie+color_high+(1).JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 13.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">When I wake up, I don’t
always know who I’ll be that day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 13.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 13.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Sometimes it’s Amelia
Earhart. Or Clara Barton. Sometimes I’m Jackie Kennedy [in the photo above, for
example].<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 13.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 13.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Assuming different
identities is part of what I do as a history performer. It involves lots of
research, shopping for vintage goodies, and wearing fabulous gowns. But most
importantly it involves creating an experience that is both fun and informative
for an audience. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 13.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 13.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Now, bear with me. But
acting bears a lot of similarity to working in a museum.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 13.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 13.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Like a great
interpretation, a great museum exhibition should be both entertaining and
educational. It should connect with what the audience already knows and
understands. It needs to convey information, of course, but it should also be
fun to experience and easy to understand. When a visitor leaves a great museum
exhibition, they should be inspired to think about the topic more, maybe even
want to learn more after the experience ends.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 13.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 13.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">I began working in
museums in 2002 because I love this kind of learning – stimulating,
self-directed, and intimately connected to everyday life. After receiving
degrees in English (Stanford University) and History (Northwestern University),
I pursued a Museum Studies Master’s Degree from the University of Leicester in
Great Britain. In the ten years I’ve been working in museums, I have developed
exhibitions and lectured on a wide range of historical and cultural topics. A
sampling of my projects and thematic exhibitions includes <i>A Great War Enthusiasm: Evanston and the Civil </i>War (Evanston
History Center), <i>Steelroots</i> (The
Morton Arboretum), <i>Vanishing Acts: Trees
Under Threat</i> (The Morton Arboretum<i>),
Jens Jensen: Landscapes for People </i>(Sterling Morton Library), and <i>Sweet Home Chicago: A History of the Candy
Capital of America</i> (Elmhurst Historical Museum). I have led concept
development, conducted research, written exhibition labels, and developed
interpretation for museums ranging from an outdoor arboretum serving 800,000
visitors annually to a historic house serving 14,000 visitors each year. I have
served on the board of the Illinois Association of Museums and the advisory
board of the Illinois State Historical Society.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 13.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">When
you work in the museum world, you never know what kind of fascinating,
challenging project will pop up next. This time around, I’ll be working with
Museum Explorer to research and write interpretive labels for an exhibition
exploring Elmhurst’s history and culture through the voices of people who have
lived there. Who knows what fascinating themes and intriguing characters will
emerge from the museum’s impressive collection of journals, newspapers,
photographs, maps, and other treasures. But whatever does emerge, I know I’ll
be striving to make something meaningful and memorable. And I’ll always try to
leave them wanting more.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Museum Explorerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09688398312149826632noreply@blogger.com0