Back at the Art Institute, 2+ years later

I had a chance to go back to the Art Institute for free last month. Though I remain vigilant about protecting myself from COVID, I couldn't pass up the chance to do something I have been wanting to do since my nieces were born: take them to the museum so they could enjoy the art. So I went there with my mask and my face shield on. It was bittersweet, as the Art Institute is one of the last places were I spent time with my late aunt who passed away a few years ago. I wrote a little about our conversation about misogyny in modern art in my review of I Am the Night. Another sad thing was that in 2020 I had received the gift of a museum membership but I hardly had a chance to use it before things shut down.

I missed these people.

Most of these are pieces I've never seen before, but some are old favorites like the ones in the collage above. I want to start with this piece by Sam Gilliam, who passed away earlier this week. As a Black abstract artist, his work and career mean a lot to me.

 

 (For more of his work on my blog, please check out these 3 posts: Two great shows at the Smart Museum, The 2016 Expo Chicago Show, and 29+ Black Abstract Artists for Black History Month.)

Here's more artwork that I liked:

Some furniture I liked

 

I actually sat in this chair when it was being featured at a special event in honor of its designer, Linda Bo Bardi, in conjunction with NeoCon 2015. Unfortunately for me, I found it uncomfortable.

Linda Bo Bardi Bowl Chair

And as I mentioned in my post about this year's NeoCon show, Steelcase is bringing this Frank Lloyd Wright furniture back. I regret not taking the opportunity to sit at the desk when I was there this year.

 

Frank Lloyd Wright desk and chair

Luiza Prado de Oliveira Martins All Directions at Once is a show worth seeing, in person or online, that speaks to our current moment. 

When we took my nieces to the Ryan Learning Center, they had a chance to try weaving by hand on small wooden looms. I helped my oldest niece get started, but she decided she'd rather draw, so I finished it.

Maybe I will try weaving again in the future.

I'm glad I had a chance to go back to the Art Institute this summer. It continues to be a special place for aunts and nieces to spend an afternoon together.