These are some images from a recent weekend visit to Chicago, where Laura was reengineering some telephone systems for Dell Computer. I don't always have the time to get away for the weekend with my wife, so this was a special treat for us.
The paintings and other artifacts are from the Art Institute of Chicago, the finest museum in the country. The Art Institute recently sold my favorite painting in their collection, Magritte's incomparable "Le Banquet" (for $6 million, so who can blame them for the sale), but this only slightly marred my enjoyment of this fantastic American museum.
This is Dante Gabriel Rossetti's Beata Beatrix (translated directly from the Italian "The Babe Beatrice") . Such magnificence!
This is a dakini dancer. According to Wikipedia, dakini dancers are tantric deities that might best be described as the female embodiment of enlightened energy. Discerning OS readers should already know this.
This was a particularly disturbing painting by Eldzier Cortor.
This is an Apache artifact from the late 19th century.
This is an interactive sculpture and fountain you can see near the Art Institute, in Millennium Park.
And these are some pretty sail boats on Lake Michigan.
So, that's it. The Art Institute, a nice walk in the sun, and deep dish pizza from Bella Bacino's. What a splendid day to be alive in Chicago!
(Click on the images to enlarge them. )
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Comments
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Designanator, it was the most spledidest day ever. There was a lot more to see, but some of my pictures were boring, so I'll leave most to y'all's imagination.
lalucas, I look at Chicago of the late 19th century as the birthplace of modern liberalism. I love Chicago as a symbol, and I love playing in the real thing.
Dorinda, my photo does no justice to Corter's painting, which is a life-sized multi-media masterpiece. I forget stuff, even important stuff. So, I wanted to have this photo, even if it is only a reminder.
Thanks, TBF. My photos are so-so, I think. Sometimes, I get off a lucky shot. But my camera is a fantastic 35mm digital, a Nikon D80, that can make everything look good, even paintings and artifacts in low light.
Eldzier Cortor (born 1916)
The Room No. VI
1948
Oil and gesso on Masonite
Eldzier Cortor is acclaimed for his luminous depictions of African American life. Here he intended to show "the overcrowded condition of people who are obliged to carry out their daily activities of life in the confines of the same four walls in a condition of utmost poverty. I attempted to combine the figure studies, the bed and other elements of the room in an interesting pattern." Although the central nude woman dominates the composition, Cortor dynamically cropped the forms of the remaining figures, which, together with the patterns of the bed linens, floorboards, and wallpaper, created an almost abstract effect. Interestingly, he emphasized certain elements--the hair of the women, the spoilt milk, and the corroding stove pipe--by building up thick layers of pigment that animate the otherwise impeccable surface.
Procopius, yes it is a glorious time of year where you live. I'm wondering if I should add a couple of more pics to the show.
Koakuma, thanks. I do love shooting into the sun, though I wasn't all that wowed by my photo, but if I lived up there it would be a place I would return to (which I am sure many photographers do) to see what I could do with the sculpture in different light.
Those are the first images I've seen from within the famous Art Institute since "Ferris Bueller." Do they still have that amazing blue Chagall Stained glass from the movie? I've always wanted to see that one in person.
Mary, I can't believe they sold that Magritte I showed y'all earlier. And the weather! We got sun on Saturday, and clouds on Sunday. But Lake Michigan was almost like glass on the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.
Thanks for letting me live vicariously through you, Rich
Great shots, Rich. Thanks for taking us along. :-D
Rated/appreciated.
Lainey, the enlarging the pictures is done by storing a larger version of the image somewhere (I have a personal web site, but there are sites such as photobucket.com where you can upload photos) and then linking the photo in the post to the photo stored elsewhere.
Bill S, you devil, thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Merwoman, yes the artwork was fantastic. I have more shots; maybe I should post more.
Edgar, likewise. I enjoy living vicariously through all of you.
Liz, I wonder how people can live in Chicago. But like so many large cities in somewhat hostile climates, it is so much fun to visit on those glorious autumn days, but it looks hard to actually live there.
Mary, thanks for stopping by. Sorry, I 've been away. I probably owe you several comments by now.
Enjoyed, admired and thumbed.