An ARTful Weekend in Chicago

A quick trip to Chicago last weekend to see family turned into an outright lovely vacation and another stop on my major museum fashion tour. What fashion exhibit is the exact opposite of Punk, the last exhibit I wrote about? It is called Fashion, Impressionism and Modernity at the Art Institute of Chicago, and is a joint exhibit with the Musée D'Orsay in Paris and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Imagine a room of impressionist paintings highlighting the fashion of the times, complete with outfits from the time resembling those in the paintings. Although we all know about Monet's land and cityscapes, who knew about his "fashion work"? It was eye-opening! 

A Sunday on La Grand Jatte is one of the Art Institute's most famous paintings. Did you know that over the two years in which George Seurat worked on the painting (1884-1886), he continued to enlarge the bustles on the dresses as the style became more exaggerated? This factoid alone was worth the price of admission for me.

Sunday in Millennium Park, just outside of the Art Institute. I took this picture after we left the museum on one of the most clear and sunny days I've experienced in a long time. Chicago really is one of the most gorgeous cities in the world.

In contrast to the sweet, old-fashioned flavor of the Impressionism, Fashion and Modernity exhibit, on the way out we stumbled upon a modern study of fashion by Tomoaki Suzuki. The figures were inspired by the artist's life in London. More punk! Am I the only one who is a sucker for anything in miniature? Especially cool punk figurines with the Chicago skyline in the background? I couldn't get enough. I kind of just wanted to stay and hang out with them! Here are some pictures I took myself.

Saturday night we got together with friends for dinner at The Southern. The drink of the evening was a work of art in itself. Maple Bacon Manhattan anyone? I refrained and instead enjoyed the Smoked Mac "N" Cheese.

On Sunday we took Max to the Lincoln Park Zoo, which he thoroughly enjoyed, and then to Ginza Festival at the Midwest Buddhist Temple. Am I the only one who finds it strange that a Buddhist festival serves what my husband refers to as, "the best chicken in Chicago"? Anyway... Here is a picture of Max enjoying a piece of corn with his Dad. And yes, my child is still blonde-haired and blue-eyed. By now we think it will stick.

I hope you are having a fun summer enjoying family, friends, and fresh corn on the cob!