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.
Following my previous blog about Open House Chicago and the Aon Center, the same morning John and I were able to visit Chicago's Union Station. We were able to visit the exclusive first class lounge, which restored its barbershop room featuring historic photographs and also the old ladies lounge which was in the process of being restored. Below are photos of the old lunch room/restaurant--plans for that restoration were unclear to us. I really liked finding the over-sized Christmas ornaments inside the ladies lounge. Overall, Union Station was a marvelous neoclassical treat to visit and I hope we catch a train sometime soon to get some use out of it.
