Saturday, February 26, 2011

Ma' Pony visits the Chicago Art Museum

This past rainy Sunday I visited the Chicago Art Museum with Ma' Pony.  Ma' Pony was a volunteer picture lady for my elementary class.  She exposed myself and fellow classmates to works of art and explained the meaning.  Looking back it was a really cool program.

Our main reason for the visit was to experience Marc Chagall's America Windows.  His stain glass window is mesmerizing.  While I was mindless admiring the pretty window Ma' Pony was figure out the meaning.   We checked her interpretation against they description on the wall, they all were correct except for the last panel.  She thought is was a tribute to the Titanic sinking.  What do you think?  Look at the far right of the last panel.



The Art Institute claims the sinking of the Titanic is actually people dancing.  I think they are just trying to cover up the true meaning.  The bottom right is the Titanic and the people above it are floating in the water.  You decide for yourself.

It seemed our other reason for the visit was to be called ma'am and told not to do things.  I was told not to take photos several times.  Apparently they frown upon taking photos of photos.  Ma' Pony likes to get way to close to art.  I think we heard "ma'am don't touch" about 247 times and it was a surprise to her every time.  She was also told not to touch a window treatment.  I am not sure if they "guard" knew it wasn't a piece of art.  Ma' Pony held in her Bitch comment until we got into the next room.

Ma' Pony was impressed with the pritzker pavilion, which the art museum has an excellent view of, even on a gloomy, February day.  I told her how the area used to be really ugly with below grade train tracks.  She seemed to think the $450 million price tag was worth it, since almost half was covered by private donors.  She asked if Oprah donated any money.  I told her I didn't think so.  While rolling her eyes she said, of course she only buys presidencies.  Ma' Pony was once a supporter of Oprah but her getting involved in the 2008 presidential campaign and not for the first strong female candidate was the end of their relationship.  Oprah may not care but Ma' Pony is boycotting her.


This will come as a surprise to no one but there was a lot of wonderful art.  We especially liked Gerhard Richter's ICE, seen below.


However, the Peter Fischli David Weiss: Questions, the Sausage Photographs, and a Quiet Afternoon Exhibit was not enjoyed by Ma' Pony.  "This is what people do when they have no talent.  They come up with a gimmick and hope it sticks.  It must have worked.  All these people in here are spending their time looking at crap thinking it's art."  I snapped the below photo only to be told "Ma'am photography is not allowed in this room."  Ma' Pony responded with, "Don't worry I don't even want to look at it let alone take a photo."


We spent a very enjoyable day wandering around.  I recommend if you go to the museum to become a member before going.  Members get to skip the line to get in, they can bring guests for "free", it is tax deductible and they get other discounts and perks.  Become a member.


1 comment:

  1. Our local museum just opened the "Bodies" exhibit yesterday and I can't wait to go just so I can hear "ma'am, don't touch!" 247 times. :)

    ReplyDelete