Art Institute January 2010

The Art Institute added a Modern Wing. It's pretty darned cool.










(This isn't blurry.)


See?

Cultural Center: Dome and Gilt Staircase

The refurbished Tiffany dome. I've posted photos of this one before.







Even the stairs in this building are gorgeous.

Pieces of Art

Not the whole paintings, just parts I found striking. I think both are easily identifiable, since the artists have such distinctive styles.

People and Art

My husband and I spent the weekend downtown, enjoying our beloved city in full Christmas swing. We packed a lot of stuff into two days, trudging through the snow from museum to hotel lobby to outdoor market to museum. It felt like a winter version of Ferris Bueller's Day Off, so in that spirit, here are some people looking at the Impressionists.




Boys are always fascinated by girls.




I'm calling this one "Man with Clown".

Stained Glass Faces

Kris was asking for a new photo. Can't believe it's been a whole month since I posted. Ooops! Here are two from the Glass Experience exhibit taken at the Museum of Science and Industry this summer.

007 wedding cake

This was my favorite wedding cake at the Sandwich Fair. Not the most romantic of themes, but the funniest!



This vignette is my favorite. Was he ejected, or did he get out and stagger off until he passed out in the icing? Hahahaha!

Glass Patterns

More from the Glass Experience exhibit at MSI.

Stained Glass Pieces. The top right one isn't blurry; that's how it looked.


Glowing Yellow Brick.


Inside a Chihuly vase.


Chihuly sketch.


Glass Wall Pattern.


Chihulys in a Row.

Baccarat Chandeliers

Taken at the Glass Experience exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry.

Straight-on


From underneath


More available in the Glass Experience set at Flickr.

Tiffany dome restoration

They restored the Tiffany glass dome at the Chicago Cultural Center recently, so when I had an hour to kill downtown today I made sure I went to see it. It's absolutely stunning.

Here is what it looked like before:


Here is what it looks like now:


Before:


After:


The details are astonishing. Look at the pinks and greens! The woodwork!




They removed the copper outer dome, too, so the light coming through is natural now. And what a light it is!




Amazing. I hope they do the other one too!

Mission San Xavier: Icons and details

For all the vivid ornateness of the Mission San Xavier del Bac in Tucson, there were features that bespoke its 200+ year history.

Handless Icon



Fading Mural Paint



Broken Cherub


Pew Bench, worn from devotion




Also, if it wasn't clear from yesterday's comment, the coyote window bars were from the Mission as well.

Mission San Xavier del Bac

Mission San Xavier del Bac was founded by the Jesuit missionary, Father Eusebio Kino, in 1692. The present church was built under the direction of the Franciscans. Construction began in 1783 and was completed in 1797. The church continues to serve as the parish for the Tohono O'odham and a shrine chruch for many visitors.