Oak Park has an outstanding plethora of cultural gems within such a small geographic radius. A lesser know landmark within the Village of Oak Park is Pleasant Home. Noted as an early example of America's prairie style homes it offers a fascinating insight into life over a hundred years ago and the innovations of technology within domestic life. Pleasant Home was originally owned by John Larson and was later purchased by the Mills family (the house is within Mills Park), and is situated within walking distance from Frank Lloyd Wright's Unity Temple and his home and studio.
Most notably about the actual house is its elaborate hand carved architectural details, stained glass, and overall craftsmanship. I think that Pleasant Home is a real treasure to Oak Park and surrounding area and I'm really hope to get more involved in supporting it.
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.
There is a particular cultural buzz around Portland that is a distinctive combination of craftsmanship and individual ingenuity. One place in the city that exemplifies this is the Museum of Contemporary Craft. John and I decided to investigate the museum (and college) on one of their monthly free days and we had a great time.
The museum had several exhibitions that included fashions from designers around the region, a really stunning exhibition on contemporary British ceramics, and a display about the creative process for a fashion designer. Included below are photos from those exhibitions, but also images of designer Anna Telcs' unique clothes that address European traditions, gender identity, and ceremonial garbs.
