Weekend in Chicago - April 13 & 14, 2002
These photos are from a weekend trip to Chicago with then girlfriend
Anne. We mainly hit the Lincoln Park Zoo, the Art Institute and did some
shopping. Here are some highlights (or just stuff I found interesting).
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This polar bear was having a major case of obsessive-compulsive
behavior. It's hard to explain, but it kept walking to the front of this
rock and then twisting its head upside down so that it would almost fall over
backwards. Then it would flip over and walk back and start the route over
again.
Based on the posted sign (you'll have to click to read it), apparently this is
something the zoo is aware of. I wonder if the enrichment methods
mentioned involve Prozac.
If you look closely, you can see my reflection in the glass as I
take the picture of the sign.
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The requisite cute animal pictures.
Various flowers from the Lincoln Park Conservatory just north of
the zoo.
3 pieces by Paul Klee in the Art Institute Modern Art section
The Impressionist gallery in the Art Institute. The piece in the
first 2 shots is called "On The Terrace" and is a well-known Renoir piece. On
the right, Anne checks out another painting.
Various Art Insitute shots. The middle piece is by Dante
Gabriel Rossetti, co-founder of the Pre-Raphaelites and brother of
Christina Rossetti, the cool Victorian-era poetess. Click for larger image.
Mother and Child, a well-known Picasso.
man watches film
One of the special exhibits running at the Art Institute is Taken by
Design: Photographs from the Institute of Design, 1937–1971. There were
lots of interesting experimental photographs and a screening room with some
experimental film. When we walked into the screening room, there was a single
man seated there watching this weird movie. It just struck us as a very surreal
moment, like something out of a David Lynch film. Maybe we were overloaded on
art and the possibilities of created something ourselves. So I broke the rules,
turned on my flash and captured this moment.
Some nice shots on our walk from the Art Institute down to Michigan
Ave.
At the south end of Michigan Avenue (the Mag Mile) lies the Chicago
Tribune headquarters building. One of the things famous about this building is
that there are small pieces (rock, brick, stone, etc) of other buildings
embedded in the stone construction in the lower levels. I picked 3 instances of
note. The first shot is stone from the Parliament building in
London. The second should be obvious, stone from a historic church in my
home state. The third is interesting because of the juxtaposition of the
stone on the left (Ancient Gate - Suwon Korea) and the one on the right from
Ohio. Click the images to see a larger view.
I took this first shot because I liked all the red lights and neon
signs down this little street. You'll have to click the image to see it
well. The second shot is just a view down Michigan Ave with the people
and a bus turning (which I didn't plan, but it looks kinda cool). The
third shot is of the huge Virgin Megastore on the Mag Mile.
And for a fitting end to this photo series ... for those who didn't
know, Christianity is alive and well in America. For evidence, look no
further than this wall of Jesus action figures as found in every hipster's
favorite shop Urban Outfitters. Yes, you too can re-enact your favorite
miracles with this Jesus doll (not sure if he has the kung-fu grip). For
those who don't know, Urban Outfitters is a shop for hip young urbanites with a
combination of trendy clothes, eclectic home furnishings, and interesting
conversation pieces.
I found this to be a telling commentary on our culture in so many
ways and had to get a shot of it. First of all, so many people want an
action figure Jesus to help them out of a jam, but not to save them from their
sins. Second, Jesus is reduced to just another toy hero, right alongside
the X-men, the men of the WWF and whoever else the latest craze is.
Third, judging by the sheer number available, either he is a hot commodity or
nobody is buying. Feel free to draw your own symbolism out of the
picture.