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We're keyed up about Saturday's grand opening of the AIC's new Modern Wing. As the largest expansion in the museum’s history (with a price tag of - holy shit - about $290 million), this new three-floor facility offers 65,000 feet of new galleries that will house both modern and contemporary works, photography, as well as architecture and design collections. It's sheer magnitude will make the Art Institute the second largest museum in the United States. And perhaps we should mention that the New York Times has given the Modern Wing an absolutely glowing review. (For a peep at their lovely photo slideshow, click here.)
Actually, we’re a bit obsesso about the architectural and environmental aspects of the AIC's newest addition. Pritzker Prize-winning Italian architect Renzo Piano created a light-infused, airy identity for the museum with a dramatic, avant-garde design that's subtle enough not to steal the show from the art. A pale limestone and glass exterior covered by a “flying carpet” sun-screen roof keeps Chicago’s reputation for progressive architecture (à la Frank Lloyd Wright, Mies van der Rohe and Le Corbusier) intact. Piano’s Nichols Bridgeway, arches a 620-foot-long steel pedestrian walkway from Millennium Park to the third floor of the Modern Wing. And the Bluhm Family Terrace offers outdoor sculpture exhibitions along with a gorgeous skyline view.
Ultimately, all good design is functional, too, and the Modern Wing doesn’t disappoint. The curved roof actually creates a light filtration system which works with an automated dimming system to harness as much natural light into the galleries as possible, thus conserving energy. And the double curtainwall construction that insulates the galleries is expected to use ½ the amount of energy as AIC’s existing building. As a result of these practices, as well as recycling, the carbon dioxide emitted by the museum’s buildings has been reduced 9.6%.
Celebrate the Modern Wing’s public unveiling with AIC on Saturday from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Good times include a dedication with architect Renzo Piano at 9 a.m., a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m., and live music/dancing from acts like Swing Gitan, Maxwell Street Klezmer Band, and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. The grand opening exhibit is Cy Twombly’s “Natural World”, which will be on display through September 13 at The Abbott Galleries—the Modern Wing’s special exhibition space located on the first floor.
Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S. Michigan Ave. Grand Opening May 16, 2009, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. General Museum Hours: Monday - Wednesday, 10:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Thursday 10:30 a.m. - 8 p.m. (with free general admission 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.), Friday 10:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. and Saturday/Sunday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
**Free Museum Admission May 16 - 22. Grand Opening events are free. General Admission: Adults: $12, Children, Students, and Seniors (65 and up): $7, Children under 12: Free, and Members: Free. For admission increase information after May 22, click here.
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i think it turned out better than I could have hoped for. Definitely one of the best pieces of high-grade architecture to open in this city in a long time. With that said, its still too oversized for its space, and Im not a big fan of the bridge. Im sure it gives great views, but it just looks clunky
As a huge supporter of the Art Institute, I've got to say that I'm really underwhelmed by this piece of architecture.
Ingrid, why do you say that? I tend to side with Blair Kamin that the understated design was the proper route to go in this case. Frankly, Im worn out with the "starchitect" over the top designs which we've been bombarded with the past decade. This is a beautiful return to the subtle, graceful and refined architecture which will hold the test of time and not look outdated and cheesy in 15 years.
I totally see what you're saying. I have not seen it totally finished, so maybe it will look better in person than in the photograph.
It just seems so ordinary though...you look at the pic above and it could be Anywhere, USA. But I guess I'll withhold judgement until I see it in person.
Well, the outside does look a bit like a suburban high school or a minimum security prison. And the inside reminds me of the Tate Modern entrance. But after a while, we'll get used to it.
if you can name me a minimum security designed prison that looks like that, sign me up!
if anything, its basically a super-sized verion of the Beyeler Foundation (which IMO is one of the best works of the 20th century)
http://snfcc.snf.org/Files/Billeder/Photos/MAIN/RP/RP%20projects/RPBeyFoundMus01Eng.jpg
Minimum Security Prison
Minimum Security Prison 2
well fuck me. whats the rent?
I hate the fad architecture that's been crammed down our throats the last 20 years or so. Gehry or Calatrava drive me nuts. This building, on the other hand, is sleek, graceful, and elegant, and will be appreciated for decades to come.
My museums don't need to be art in order to hold art.
I visited on Saturday. High five, Mr. Piano, great job!