I read in the Chicago Tribune online this morning, that the past four day (July 23rd to 27th) stretch was the coolest July 23rd to 27th here in Chicago in a century. I am totally being spoiled with this California-like weather. 80's at the highest with absolutely no humidity to speak of. My luck continues.....
Today, I went back for my second trip to the Art Institute of Chicago to see the special exhibit on Seurat. There was an accompanying audio tour, which enhances any art type of experience. What was different about this exhibit more than any other art exhibit I've ever seen is the fact that the entire exhibit was an explanation of the experimentation and studying Seurat did in the years he painted his most famous work, La Grande Jatte. I've always believed that artists kind of have a vision of what they want to create and then do whatever they do and voila, there it is. This exhibit explained the painstaking process and incredibly systematic way in which Seurat went about creating his painting.
La Grande Jatte painted by Georges Seurat, debuted 1885, painted between 1880-1885
Judgemental me now holds an artist like Seurat in greater esteem. His incredibly scientific approach indicates that there is thought behind every single aspect of the painting from the clothes (up to date fashion at the time of painting) to the direction of the paint strokes. When we got to the painting itself, you simply had to stand back in awe of this masterpiece.
After a couple afternoons at the Art Institute, I took a leisurely stroll up North Michigan Avenue, known as the Magnificent Mile. This is the hub of Chicago's retail industry. For those of you who know me well, shopping isn't something I necessarily do but I did my best to be somewhat interested in the "art" or shopping. I didn't spend any money. At the northern end of the Mile stands one of Chicago's two landmark "tallest" buildings, the John Hancock Building (the other being the Sears Tower).
The John Hancock Building on Chicago's Magnificent Mile
I did the touristy thing and paid my $10.45 (why the weird price?) and took the elevator to the observation deck. On a clear day, one can see four states: Illinois (duh), Wisconsin, Indiana and Michigan. Since the Hancock stands a mere two blocks from Lake Michigan that when you step off the elevator it appears as you are walking into an ocean. All you see is the blue of Lake Michigan, it took me a couple seconds to get oriented. As you might expect, the views are amazing.
A political footnote. There is a rising star in the Democratic party and he will be the keynote speaker tonight at the Democratic National convention. His name is Barack Obama. He's a classically American story. He was born and raised in Hawaii to an African father and a Kansas raised mother. His parents were divorced when Obama was an infant. He went to Harvard Law and ended up as a professor of law at the University of Chicago. Aleeza S. had him as a professor when she was at UofC Law and raves about Obama. In 1996, Obama was elected to the Illinois Senate from a district on the South Side of Chicago. In this years Democratic primary, he beat out two self-funded millionaires. He was to fact another self-funded millionaire in the general election, but due to a scandal involving the opening of his divorce proceedings, the Republican candidate, Jack Ryan, has withdrawn from the race. This Illinois Republican party has yet to name a replacement candidate, so at this moment Obama is essentially guaranteed to be the junior senator from Illinois come January 2005. Keep an eye on this one.
Today, I went back for my second trip to the Art Institute of Chicago to see the special exhibit on Seurat. There was an accompanying audio tour, which enhances any art type of experience. What was different about this exhibit more than any other art exhibit I've ever seen is the fact that the entire exhibit was an explanation of the experimentation and studying Seurat did in the years he painted his most famous work, La Grande Jatte. I've always believed that artists kind of have a vision of what they want to create and then do whatever they do and voila, there it is. This exhibit explained the painstaking process and incredibly systematic way in which Seurat went about creating his painting.
Judgemental me now holds an artist like Seurat in greater esteem. His incredibly scientific approach indicates that there is thought behind every single aspect of the painting from the clothes (up to date fashion at the time of painting) to the direction of the paint strokes. When we got to the painting itself, you simply had to stand back in awe of this masterpiece.
After a couple afternoons at the Art Institute, I took a leisurely stroll up North Michigan Avenue, known as the Magnificent Mile. This is the hub of Chicago's retail industry. For those of you who know me well, shopping isn't something I necessarily do but I did my best to be somewhat interested in the "art" or shopping. I didn't spend any money. At the northern end of the Mile stands one of Chicago's two landmark "tallest" buildings, the John Hancock Building (the other being the Sears Tower).
I did the touristy thing and paid my $10.45 (why the weird price?) and took the elevator to the observation deck. On a clear day, one can see four states: Illinois (duh), Wisconsin, Indiana and Michigan. Since the Hancock stands a mere two blocks from Lake Michigan that when you step off the elevator it appears as you are walking into an ocean. All you see is the blue of Lake Michigan, it took me a couple seconds to get oriented. As you might expect, the views are amazing.
A political footnote. There is a rising star in the Democratic party and he will be the keynote speaker tonight at the Democratic National convention. His name is Barack Obama. He's a classically American story. He was born and raised in Hawaii to an African father and a Kansas raised mother. His parents were divorced when Obama was an infant. He went to Harvard Law and ended up as a professor of law at the University of Chicago. Aleeza S. had him as a professor when she was at UofC Law and raves about Obama. In 1996, Obama was elected to the Illinois Senate from a district on the South Side of Chicago. In this years Democratic primary, he beat out two self-funded millionaires. He was to fact another self-funded millionaire in the general election, but due to a scandal involving the opening of his divorce proceedings, the Republican candidate, Jack Ryan, has withdrawn from the race. This Illinois Republican party has yet to name a replacement candidate, so at this moment Obama is essentially guaranteed to be the junior senator from Illinois come January 2005. Keep an eye on this one.
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