It was all strange and colorful, playful and poignant, telling and tiring. I loved the experience. I always come away from museums new and improved.
Museums are like therapy minus the talk (and minus the big bucks, especially when you visit on free Friday); the artist is suddenly empathetic therapist encouraging reflection and insight via his/her own catharsis, and genius.
Granted, in my opinion, some pieces were more catharsis than genius, but even those pieces served to emphasize how rarely life truly satisfies our desires.
Museums are like therapy minus the talk (and minus the big bucks, especially when you visit on free Friday); the artist is suddenly empathetic therapist encouraging reflection and insight via his/her own catharsis, and genius.
Granted, in my opinion, some pieces were more catharsis than genius, but even those pieces served to emphasize how rarely life truly satisfies our desires.
Is this what a brain freeze looks like?
It was a cold December day in the Chicago area (pre-polar vortex, which equates to double digits rather than single) when I coaxed Jimmy into venturing out to the Elmhurst Art Museum (EAM).
You know how guys are; they’re not exactly ones to go the therapy route. Then again, cabin fever can get ugly with insanity knocking on the door from the inside. It was time to get out of the house; besides, I reminded Jimmy, EAM was named the “Best Suburban Art Museum in Chicago” by Chicago Magazine, not to mention the museum included access to architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s McCormick House, one of only three the renowned minimalist built in the U.S.
Jimmy held the door for me as we made our way out into the cold. Our timing was impeccable! We literally arrived mid-morning to find we had the place to ourselves. No throngs of visitors to interrupt my therapy/introspection. Art, like therapy, is such a personal experience, one I prefer to engage in with as few people as possible; my personal preference when it comes to minimalism.
The place was oozing with calm. It was heaven on earth.
EAM's current exhibition, entitled Inventory, showcased work spanning three centuries (the majority of the works, though, were from the last 50 years) by such notable artists as Thomas Eakins, Sonia Delaunay, and EAM’s founder, Eleanor King Hookham. I know, if you’re like me, you’ll have to take my word the aforementioned artists are notable. Much of the collection was memorable though.
More than enough options for clearing my head of all those negative thoughts.
In an unprecedented move, EAM had unpacked the Museum vault and filled the gallery from floor to ceiling with art and objects spanning their thirty-two-year history.
Their history was as interesting as mine; okay, much more interesting than mine.
I was drawn to Mario Cordillo’s dark abstracts involving bold, geometric designs although I can’t say why. If you’ve any experience with traditional therapy, breakthroughs are few and far between. I’m definitely going to need more therapy/museum visits.
Their history was as interesting as mine; okay, much more interesting than mine.
I was drawn to Mario Cordillo’s dark abstracts involving bold, geometric designs although I can’t say why. If you’ve any experience with traditional therapy, breakthroughs are few and far between. I’m definitely going to need more therapy/museum visits.
This group of pictures really got the voices in my head going.
Apparently the artist Kevin Wolff had a breakthrough; the creative process is undoubtedly as therapeutic as the viewing process. I found Wolff’s, Little Black Dress, 1987, a very unique commentary on this staple of every woman’s wardrobe and every man’s fascination and frustration with the sultry sirens wearing said black dress.
There's so much going on here, I don't know where to begin.
I’m neither qualified nor inclined to share any other thoughts when it comes to Wolff’s therapeutic oil on canvas. This is a travel blog, after all. But feel free to delve into your own issues on your own time. There’s plenty more where that came from, although I can’t speak to the therapeutic benefits when the art is second hand. Sorry!
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Our 90-minute tour of EAM’s collection was definitely enlightening.
I’d challenged the unfamiliar and the unknown;
My thoughts had definitely taken flight.
I’d even rediscovered the wonders of whimsy;
Some might say art is all really just a house of cards (blasphemy!). Well then, deal me in!
Art cleanses my soul, offers humor and hope, sometimes even sorrow; all are a diversion often blessedly bereft of the common sense the world demands. I feel less alone in this world when an artist succeeds in touching the core of my experience. There is little more valuable than the dignity of affirmation that comes from our shared experience.
OMG! She had the same pads of fat I have.
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Jimmy is always in exploration mode.
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I walked out of Elmhurst Art Museum a new and improved version of myself, free of a few more self-doubts, a few more pre-conceived notions; free to view the world with new eyes and a new appreciation.
I'll be good for about six weeks before the world crowds my thoughts and numbs my senses, rendering me useless without more therapy.
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THE BOTTOM LINE ON ELMHURST ART MUSEUM
Verdict: I truly enjoyed the intimacy of the Elmhurst Art Museum, not to mention their collection. EAM was the perfect venue for 90 minutes of therapy. Their revolving exhibitions and individual and family workshops speak to EAM's commitment to enriching people's lives by deepening their knowledge of art, architecture and design, increasing their understanding of the relevance of visual art in our society and sparking the development of individual creativity.
How to Get There: Directions from the East: Take 290 West to St. Charles Road West (Exit 14A). Go two miles to Cottage Hill, take a right. Continue straight for approximately one mile to the Museum. The Museum is on the west side (left) of Cottage Hill.
Directions from the West (West of I-355): Take I-88 East to I-290 West - go 2.2 miles. Go to St. Charles Road West (Exit 14A). Go 1.4 miles to Cottage Hill, take a right. Continue straight for approximately 1/2 mile to the Museum. The Museum is on the west side (left) of Cottage Hill.
Directions from the Northwest: Take I-90 to Route 53 South. Follow Route 53 South to I-290 East Chicago (right lanes). Take 290 East to St. Charles Road West (Exit 14A). Go two miles to Cottage Hill, take a right. Continue straight for approximately one mile to the Museum. The Museum is on the west side (left) of Cottage Hill.
Directions from the South: Take I-294 North to I-290 West. Take I-290 West to St. Charles Road West (Exit 14A). Go two miles to Cottage Hill, take a right. Continue straight for approximately one mile to the Museum. The Museum is on the west side (left) of Cottage Hill.
Directions from the North: Take 294 South to I-290 West (Rockford). Take the I- 290 West exit and STAY HARD TO THE RIGHT. Exit immediately North Avenue West. Take North Avenue to the third stop light, York Road. Take a left on York Road and head into downtown Elmhurst. Continue South on York until you must turn left or right. Turn right on Second Street and go one block to Addison. Turn Left on Addison. Continue South on Addison and go over the railroad tracks (if there is a train, sorry!). At this point Addison turns into Cottage Hill and the Museum is just ahead, past the stop sign, on the west side (right) of Cottage Hill.
Insider Information: Admission is always free on Fridays. EAM is a member of the Blue Star Museums, a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and a record-breaking 2,000 museums across America to offer admission to the nation’s active duty military personnel including National Guard and Reserve and their families.
Nearby Food: Jimmy and I had a quick lunch of Mexican food at a nearby Chipotle in the heart of Elmhurst’s downtown section, although there were plenty of nearby options, from Portillo’s famous hotdogs to Lou Malnati’s Pizza.
I'll be good for about six weeks before the world crowds my thoughts and numbs my senses, rendering me useless without more therapy.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
THE BOTTOM LINE ON ELMHURST ART MUSEUM
Verdict: I truly enjoyed the intimacy of the Elmhurst Art Museum, not to mention their collection. EAM was the perfect venue for 90 minutes of therapy. Their revolving exhibitions and individual and family workshops speak to EAM's commitment to enriching people's lives by deepening their knowledge of art, architecture and design, increasing their understanding of the relevance of visual art in our society and sparking the development of individual creativity.
How to Get There: Directions from the East: Take 290 West to St. Charles Road West (Exit 14A). Go two miles to Cottage Hill, take a right. Continue straight for approximately one mile to the Museum. The Museum is on the west side (left) of Cottage Hill.
Directions from the West (West of I-355): Take I-88 East to I-290 West - go 2.2 miles. Go to St. Charles Road West (Exit 14A). Go 1.4 miles to Cottage Hill, take a right. Continue straight for approximately 1/2 mile to the Museum. The Museum is on the west side (left) of Cottage Hill.
Directions from the Northwest: Take I-90 to Route 53 South. Follow Route 53 South to I-290 East Chicago (right lanes). Take 290 East to St. Charles Road West (Exit 14A). Go two miles to Cottage Hill, take a right. Continue straight for approximately one mile to the Museum. The Museum is on the west side (left) of Cottage Hill.
Directions from the South: Take I-294 North to I-290 West. Take I-290 West to St. Charles Road West (Exit 14A). Go two miles to Cottage Hill, take a right. Continue straight for approximately one mile to the Museum. The Museum is on the west side (left) of Cottage Hill.
Directions from the North: Take 294 South to I-290 West (Rockford). Take the I- 290 West exit and STAY HARD TO THE RIGHT. Exit immediately North Avenue West. Take North Avenue to the third stop light, York Road. Take a left on York Road and head into downtown Elmhurst. Continue South on York until you must turn left or right. Turn right on Second Street and go one block to Addison. Turn Left on Addison. Continue South on Addison and go over the railroad tracks (if there is a train, sorry!). At this point Addison turns into Cottage Hill and the Museum is just ahead, past the stop sign, on the west side (right) of Cottage Hill.
Insider Information: Admission is always free on Fridays. EAM is a member of the Blue Star Museums, a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and a record-breaking 2,000 museums across America to offer admission to the nation’s active duty military personnel including National Guard and Reserve and their families.
Nearby Food: Jimmy and I had a quick lunch of Mexican food at a nearby Chipotle in the heart of Elmhurst’s downtown section, although there were plenty of nearby options, from Portillo’s famous hotdogs to Lou Malnati’s Pizza.
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