November in the Windy City

Self Portrait: 7 AM Election Day 11/6/2012 The Windy City

My recent trip was to Chicago in early November. I attended another Road Scholar trip with a focus on the new Modern Wing of the Art Institute and Millennium Park which is adjacent to it across Monroe Street. So, just to orient you below, in the lower left quadrant of the picture is the Art Institute Complex. And the lower right quadrant is Millennium Park with the pedestrian bridge across Monroe Street that connects them. (Hopefully this will make sense as you look at the pictures)

The main entrance to the Art Institute on Michigan Avenue.

The lions at the entrance are forever synonymous with the Art Institute.

The pedestrian bridge from the New Wing into Millennium Park.

The Modern Wing of the Art Institute from The Lurie Garden in Millennium Park.

Great hall of the Modern Wing.

Millennium Park is wrapped into your visual experience inside and outside of the Modern Wing. It is always present as you experience the new wing. 

And now, on to the Park itself.

First stop is "Cloud Gate".

110 Ton Stainless Steel Sculpture

Better know as "The Bean"

 Created by British Sculptor Anish Kapoor

The arch is 12 feet high, providing the walkway underneath the Bean.

Looking toward the Crown Fountain from the pedestrian footbridge.

The Crown Fountain, inspired by the people of Chicago whose faces appear on the LED display on the 50 foot tall glass block towers. In better weather, water cascades from the towers creating a pool for play and reflection. The day of my visit it was rainwater at the base of the tower.

Looking toward the Pritzker Pavilion and the signature Frank Gehry outdoor concert venue from the pedestrian footbridge.

The pavilion is 120 feet high with a "headdress" of brushed stainless steel ribbons.The concert venue seats 4000 in fixed seats and can accommodate another 7,000 on the Great Lawn. 

The trellis of crisscrossing steel pipes supports the sound system and is said to create a sound akin to an indoor concert hall.

And by way of contrast, I stopped for a walk on the beach before taking the train into Chicago...a few quiet moments before the Big City.

Thanks for looking!