The New and Improved Chicago Art Institute - A Critique

We went to the Art Institute yesterday. We went to see the contemporary wing. The contemporary conceptualism exhibits were limp. I have seen such profoundly moving exhibits of this kind. But nothing touched me there. It was unskilled, nothingness. I felt like telling someone, contemporary life isn't nothingness. There are so many of us who are living fully, painfully, joyously, purposefully. So many people that were there too, who were undoubtedly doing the same. Looking for some thing meaningful to connect to. Being contemporary themselves. Yet wondering why they felt they needed someone to explain what they were seeing to them. All I thought was, if the image, did not stir the connection it was better off kept in the garage.

We did find the modern art galleries. Some of my favorite Pollock, Rivera, Picasso and Chagalls were missing. Hopefully, they are still there some where. I've always thought the curators for the Art Institute were not in touch with or valued the beauty of multi-cultural diversities enough to give them prominence in the museum.

I also didn't care for the mixture of furniture with some of the galleries. The flow of two-dimensional work and sculptures are harmonious but the furniture, the weight of it, was distracting.

I did like the new wing. The structure of it. The sound of it. The feel of it. Though the best views on the second floor were pretty much, outside the windows.

Girl Scout Talk

Coco and I went to our first Girl Scout Speaking Engagement. They were such a lovely group of girls. Coco, of course charmed them all. Theresa gave a really interesting presentation about living with disabilities and I shared my story and then we talked about Coco and how she helps me. She gave a wonderful demonstration. I was so proud of her. Coco really enjoys meeting new people and seems to pay even extra attention when we are working. It made our week.

Thank you Theresa!!!!!!!

It was such a delightful day.

Oh, and one more thing. I picked up my daughter on the way home. She was driving and noticed in the rearview mirror that Coco was leaning into the backseat and falling asleep. Her eyes were closed and she was so adorable.

It reminded me of the days when my children were small. And we would have gone some where and how they wandered in and out of a gentle slumber, on the way home. So many treasures for one heart to hold. My cup runneth over.