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april 28, 2009
chicago |
magic carpet ride.
contributed by kimberly peiffer
sure you've dabbled in chicago's museum scene; you may even fancy yourself a culture vulture. expand your artistic horizons at the brand-new, $300 million modern art wing at the art institute of chicago.
the new space, designed by pritzker prize-winning architect renzo piano, comes complete with a sun-screen canopy that floats over the roof like a flying carpet. but it doesn't just look cool, this "green" screen helps save electricity while creating ideal lighting inside. and the outdoor façade (think a window-wall system of double glass intersected by vertical steel mullions) is hard not to admire. the new building will feature an education center, an outdoor sculpture terrace, a garden courtyard, fine dining, and, of course, it will house the museum's modern and contemporary art, photography, architecture and design collections. if aladdin's not around to fly you, arrive via bridgeway; the 620-foot pedestrian bridge, also designed by piano, will connect the 264,000-square-foot modern wing directly to millennium park. the best part? you can celebrate the opening with free admission for the first week.
a whole new world, indeed. the modern wing at the art institute of chicago.
111 south michigan avenue. at millennium park. 312.443.3600. opens may 16th. www.artic.edu
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