I just came across a blog post that includes an idea for teaching about mathematical ideas. Laurie Fendrich blogs on the Chronicle of Higher Education website (she’s the one with that cool idea for a college curriculum I linked to the other week) and teaches art. Her discussion of teaching linear perspective has sparked some ideas …
I went to Chicago for a fundraising party and board meeting of the Alternatives to Marriage Project and decided to add a couple of days either side to see the city while I was there. I stayed in a very nice B&B on the north side of the city, close to my meeting. The neighbourhood was really nice. Folks said “Hi.” as they passed on the street. There were nice restauarants and shops nearby.
I took the El into the city and saw some of what’s to see in Chicago. I spent most of the day on Saturday in the Art Institute of Chicago and saw some miniscule portion of what they have in there. Since we have been learning about Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art, I spent time in their impressive collection. I also considered going to the special exhibition, “From Cezanne to Picasso”, but the time spent lining up to get in seemed like a waste. Instead, I looked at some of the 20th century American art.
I’ve never been good at art galleries, never having learned much about art. I have had to figure out how to be in an art gallery; what I am looking at and why. I think I’m catching on. I really enjoyed many of the paintings and was able to determine what I liked about some over others. For example, the Georgia O’Keefe paintings I enjoy the most use a very limited pallette of colours. I am impressed by what she can do within those limits that she has set herself. When I am with Tigger, we often bring pastels and a sketch pad. I had forgotten to pack these supplies but I think that would have added something to the visit. Of course if you spend time really looking at some of the work, you don’t see as many things. But what you see, you see in more depth.
While I was waiting to get into the Art Institute, I bought the local street paper from a vendor. I was pleasantly surprised to find out from it that an exhibition of Niki de Saint Phalle sculptures had opened the previous day in the Garfield Park Conservatory. I had discovered de Saint Phalle about 10 years ago at an exhibition in Glasgow and really love her work. These sculptures are amazing and joyful and suit this setting very well. I urge any of you who are in Chicago (or planning a visit there while the exhibition is on) to go and have a look. They are also very kid friendly as many can be touched or even climbed on. For jazz lovers, there will be a concert in the park on July 20th.
Needless to say, to make up for having seen all these things on my own, I spent a bit of money on books so that Tigger could share at least some of the wonder at these art works from home.
The other thing Chicago is known for is architecture. Even someone who knows as little about architecture as I do is aware of that in some vague sense. Well, thankfully, they also have the Chicago Architecture Foundation. These folks train volunteer docents in the architectural history of the city and then provide tours for those of us who are interested but not so knowledgeable. There was quite a menu to choose from but I only really had time for one so I did a walking tour of Historic Skyscrapers. Very interesting and informative.
As I was looking for those links, I came across this curriculum resource for grades K-8. If I lived in Chicago, I might be tempted to take a closer look at that.
I also walked around the downtown a bit and looked at some of the public art, including a sculpture by Picasso, another by Miro, and a mosaic by Chagall. There is lots more. I only saw a few. This city clearly values things like public art.
But it wasn’t all high culture and tourism. I also met up with the lovely Kim and her family for dinner and a very funny play. It is always a bit strange meeting someone in person who you only know on line. But my experiences to date have all be positive. We had a fun evening. I got her daughter to recommend books that she liked so I could recommend them to Tigger. We chatted and ate good food and generally had a great time. (Thanks, Kim.)
Oh, and I knit. Socks. On the train (and bus) mostly. I had barely started the toe of the second sock when I got there and am now a couple of inches up the leg. It was about 30 minutes on the train into downtown from where I was staying.