MLA ‘08 Blog

The Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) is dedicated to “art of our time”, works created since 1945. MCA exhibits include painting, sculpture, photography, video & film, and performances. For an overview, join one of the tours offered daily at 1:00pm.

Current exhibitions at MCA include a presentation of work by Karen Kilimnik. Kilimnik first gained fame for her scatter-art installations in the 1980’s and early 90’s. This exhibit includes a selection of her installations and paintings. Her work is described as “draw[ing] on the traditions of gothic mystery and fairy tales, presenting narratives that unfold over the course of a series of related paintings.”

The MCA also hosts performances. Currently on stage is Heather Raffo’s 9 Parts of Desire. Raffo performs all roles in this work, which portrays the life of Iraqi women under the rule of Saddam Hussein and since his expulsion. Tickets are still available for May 16th, 17th and 18th; call the box office at 312-397-4010 or purchase online.

Insider Tip: Be sure to stop in at the MCA Store to browse the unique gifts. And if you’re feeling hungry, Puck’s at the MCA (a creation of Chef Wolfgang Puck) has a seasonal lunch menu, outdoor patio, and most importantly, a great view.

Museum of Contemporary Art
Address: 220 E. Chicago Avenue (map)
Hours: 10:00am-8:00pm Tu; 10:00am-5:00pm W-Su; closed Monday
Admission: $10 (adult), free on Tuesdays

- Kristin Hitchcock

The Shedd Aquarium opened in 1930 and is named for John G. Shedd, a retired president of Marshall Field & Company (the flagship Marshall Field’s department store, now owned by Macy’s, is located downtown on State Street). Shedd was a powerful booster for the city of Chicago, and gave several million dollars to make sure his aquarium would be just as grand as the two museums already in Grant Park: the Art Institute of Chicago and the Field Museum. When it opened, it was the world’s largest aquarium and the first to claim itself an inland aquarium with a permanent saltwater collection.

The Shedd has over 22,000 aquatic animals representing 1500 species of fish, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, birds, and mammals. Special exhibits include Amazon Rising, Caribbean Reef, and Wild Reef, complete with several dozen sharks. The Oceanarium has shows several times a day featuring staff interacting with dolphins, whales, and other marine mammals. A special temporary exhibit includes the Komodo lizard, sometimes called the Komodo Dragon.

Shedd Aquarium
Address: 1200 South Lake Shore Drive (see directions in a previous post)
Hours: 9:00am-5:00pm M-F, 9:00am-6:00pm Sa-Su
Admission: $8, aquarium only (adult); $27.50, aquarium, special exhibits, Oceanarium, and 4-D theater

- Patricia Pinkowski & Jim Shedlock

(Photo from Shedd Aquarium website)

The Field Museum was founded to house the biological and anthropological collections assembled for the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893. The museum name changed in 1905 to honor its major benefactor, Marshall Field, and moved to the lakefront in 1921. The museum actively engages in current research, supported by a notable library holding more than 250,000 volumes.

Chicago’s Field Museum has something for everyone. For a start, there’s famous Sue*, the world’s largest, most complete and best-preserved T Rex. There are dozens of fascinating exhibits including Inside Ancient Egypt, the hall of gems, Our Evolving Planet, The Ancient Americas, and the special exhibit Mythic Creatures: Dragons, Mermaids, and Unicorns.

On Saturday, May 17th there is a free lecture on E Coli and the Science of Life and a book signing by Dr. Carl Zimmer. Zimmer explores how this microbe, known to most of us for its deadly outbreaks, is actually leading scientists to a new understanding of what it means to be alive. Discover the pivotal role E. coli has played in the history of biology and explore how it continues to lead the way in the search for life-saving drugs, clean fuel, and a deeper understanding of our own genetic makeup and the history of life.

In case you get hungry during your visit, there is a McDonalds (burgers, fries etc…) and Corner Bakery (salads and sandwiches) in the Museum.

Field Museum of Natural History
Address: Roosevelt Road at Lake Shore Drive (see directions in a previous post)
Hours: 9:00am - 5:00 pm daily, last admission at 4:00pm
Admission: $14, general admission (adult); $22, with Mythic Creatures ticket

* You can also get a glimpse of a full-size Sue replica in O’Hare Airport as you arrive!

- Andrea Garren & Jim Shedlock

(Image from the Field Museum website)

Built in 1930 and named for Chicago industrialist Max Adler (an early stockholder in Sears, Roebuck and Company), the Adler Planetarium is considered the first modern planetarium in the Western hemisphere. It can be seen at the edge of the Museum Campus, jutting out into the lake, from many points in the city.

From models of the solar system to ancient astronomical instruments to interactive exhibits, Adler’s galleries provide a passageway to explore the universe. It is home to two planetarium theaters, including the world’s first all-digital projection theater, the StarRider. They provide downloadable guides on their website.

Adler Planetarium
Address: 1300 South Lake Shore Drive (see directions in a previous post)
Hours: 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m daily
Admission: $10 (adult general admission)

- Patricia Pinkowski & Jim Shedlock

(Photo from the Adler Planetarium website)

Just south of Chicago’s Loop is the 57-acre lakefront Museum Campus. Visiting this destination is a real treat. What other big city lets you go from seeing dinosaurs to viewing a star-bright sky to watching dolphins and whales frolic in the sea? You can do all of this by visiting the Field Museum, the Adler Planetarium and the Shedd Aquarium.

(Those of you who watch football on TV have seen it many times. The Chicago Bears play their home games at Soldier Field, right next to the campus, and the blimp provides many interesting shots).

Transportation

You can get to the Museum Campus by cab, car, or city bus:

• View driving directions (from MapQuest)
• View Museum Campus map
• CTA Bus #146 Southbound to Museum Campus (pdf) - stops along Michigan Avenue north of the river and on State Street south of the river. From the Hyatt, walk west to Michigan Ave. Cross the bridge and look for a 146 bus stop sign on the West side of the street. Hop on the bus and tour through downtown. The bus will drop you off right across the street from the Museum.

Adler Planetarium
Address: 1300 South Lake Shore Drive
Hours: 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m daily
Admission: $10 (adult general admission)

Field Museum of Natural History
Address: Roosevelt Road at Lake Shore Drive
Hours: 9:00am - 5:00 pm daily, last admission at 4:00pm
Admission: $14, general admission (adult); extra for tickets to some special exhibits

Shedd Aquarium
Address: 1200 South Lake Shore Drive
Hours: 9:00am-5:00pm M-F, 9:00am-6:00pm Sa-Su
Admission: $8, aquarium only (adult); $27.50, aquarium, special exhibits, Oceanarium, and 4-D theater

There are many other museums listed in the MLA ‘08 Chicago Attractions Guide (pdf).

-Pat Pinkowski & Jim Shedlock

(Photo from City of Chicago website)

A unique destination, a short ride from the Hyatt, is the International Museum of Surgical Science. View historical artifacts and exhibits exploring surgical themes across history and cultures:

• View a rare working iron lung
• Explore a turn-of-the-century apothecary shop
• Learn about historical contributions of surgeons in Japan and in Latin America

The Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, from 10am to 4pm. Admission is $9. A list of exhibits is available on the IMSS website.

International Museum of Surgical Science
Address: 1524 N. Lake Shore Drive (map)
Phone: 312-642-6502
Directions: Take the #151 bus headed north on Michigan Avenue.

Often voted the best science museum in the country, Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry is a delight for children and adults. It is the largest science museum in the Western hemisphere with an OmniMax theater, working coal mine exhibit and a real U-505 German submarine to tour. There are exhibits that range from transportation and genetics, to space exploration and petroleum sciences.

Favorite permanent exhibits include:

• An enormous train model that shows the train journey from Seattle to Chicago,
• Farm technology and baby chick hatchery
• Yesterday’s main street with a working silent film theatre
• Whispering room that is truly amazing.

The museum is located about 6 miles south of downtown, at 57th Street and Lake Shore Drive. It is in the Hyde Park neighborhood that is also home to The University of Chicago. Consult the directions webpage for details about how to get to the museum by bus or train.

Don’t pass up a chance to visit this Chicago treasure.

-Andrea Garren

(Image from the Museum of Science and Industry website)

Built on rubble from the 1871 Chicago fire, the Art Institute of Chicago had a visionary purpose: to acquire and exhibit art of all kinds and to conduct programs of education. Now the collection encompasses more than 5,000 years of human expression from cultures around the world. Artists represented by its masterpieces include Picasso, Renoir, Goya, Monet and others too numerous to mention. Included in its principal masterpieces are such definitive works as:

• A Sunday on La Grande Jette, by Georges Seurat
• Nighthawks, by Edward Hopper
• American Gothic, by Grant Wood

During the MLA conference, the Art institute will have special exhibits on subjects as diverse as Contemporary Chinese Woodblock Prints and Animal Images on Ancient Coins. A complete list of exhibitions is available to help you plan your visit. The museum also offers tours and programs. The calendar page will provide details on upcoming events as May draws near.

The Museum is truly a highlight of Chicago. Located just a few blocks from the Hyatt, it is a great place to visit during your free time. To walk to the museum . . . From the conference hotel, head West along Wacker Drive to Michigan Avenue. Turn left and walk South on Michigan to Adams. The Museum is on the left hand side of the street; you enter between the two lion statues. It is also just a short cab ride away.

Further visitor information is available on the museum website. Admission is $12.00 for adults.

Insider Tip: Looking for a fun introduction to the Art Institute? Want to see how works in the collection connect to each other, and to the world around us? Take a quick tour of the collection with a themed self-guide. Each one features six works of art with brief, entertaining descriptions.

-Andrea Garren