Recently John and I were able to check out a really fascinating museum in Chicago. Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art features works of 'outsider art' or art produced without a formal art background. It is worth noting that outsider art has contextual prejudices, which is unfortunate, because so many artists create so many interesting and beautiful regardless of having a formal art education. Intuit embraces outsider art and it was quaint exhibition space featuring some really remarkable things.
Currently on view at Intuit is a wonderful photography show by Lee Godie. Godie was known for hanging outside the front steps of the Art Institute of Chicago as well as taking self-portraits inside photo booths in Chicago's Union Station. Godie's portraits definitely evoke Cindy Sherman, yet she offers her take and awareness on art production. Godie's photos can be humorous, sometimes elegant, but with an undertone of loneliness. I'm grateful to have been able to visit the museum and see Godie's photos. Next week I'll be sharing photos from Intuit's Henry Darger room.
Across from Millennium Park is the Chicago Cultural Center, a former library, that is currently hosting the Chicago Architectural Biennial. The Biennial features many designers and architects from around the world with a wide range of ideas and concepts of how building design is changing. I loved a particular model that depicted a man-made island that featured a dolphin sanctuary. Another project configured rocks that were used to constructed a tall standing structure using rope that was laid in a pattern by an electronic arm. The actual building of the Chicago Cultural Center is a great platform to meander through and discover all the different architectural presentations.
