WELCOME

Welcome to the Urban Culture course at Avila University created by Susan Lawlor and Dotty Hamilton.  We travel with our students to great cities to explore art museums, engage with the architecture, study the local film and music venues, and experience the ethnic enclaves as a way to learn about the culture of urban spaces and the interaction of art and environment.  It's a fun, intense learning environment.  

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Chicago Art Institute and Sky Deck



We toured the new modern wing of the Art Institute, getting an overview of some of the CAI's collection of paintings, sculpture and photography from a wonderful docent.  Then we zipped over to the Willis Tower (old Sears Tower) for a trip to the top - the Sky Deck.  The elevator takes 60 seconds to ascend 103 stories.  Here's a view from the top:


9 comments:

  1. I once read "life begins at the end of you comfort zone" and thats exactly what happened to me at the skydeck. Although my heart was pounding out of my chest for a half hour afterward, the experience was exhilarating. My report was on the Chicago stockyards which, arguably, caused the unparalled growth of Chicago in the 19th century. I say that because the expansive view from the Skydeck reiterated that. This is a must do activity for not only next years class, but for anyone in the world.

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  2. My only wish was to spend more time at the Art Institute. That place was way to cool to only have just an hour. I could have spent so much more time in there. The art work and artists they housed were amazing. I also was interested in the rest of the buildings art as well. They had some really refreshing art displayed at the front entrance off of Michigan. Like a lighted stair case that displayed words which I believed to be a story or poem of some sort. Art Institute is a definite must place to visit.

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  3. This trip was amazing to say the least. Chicago was the first major city I have been to and was able to explore other than Kansas City. I was not ready for the sheer size of city, it was almost overwhelming. The most educational thing I got out of this trip was the appreciation of art. We saw many different types from the architectural boat tour, the viewing of Mia and the Migoo, several live performances, and a couple different museums. The Art Institute was my favorite museum, but there were too many incredible pieces of art to only spend an hour there. With different forms of art every which way I looked I could admire the amount of time and effort put into each piece of work.

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  4. This trip was a blast! I really enjoyed the art institute and the Skydeck. Before going on this trip I had not spent much time in an art museum but I think I now have a better understanding and appreciation for art. Our tour guide at the art institute was great and really made the experience enjoyable. I really liked the skydeck as well. It gave us an opportunity to see the entire city. It was truly breath taking.

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  5. I really enjoyed our time in Chicago. The Chicago Art Institute was one of my favorite places. I was sad that we didn't get to spend much time there, but the tour was very good and I am glad that I got to see some of the works of art!! I will definitely have to go back and see it again. The Sky Deck was another of my favorites. It was amazing to see the city of Chicago at night. It was truly beautiful.

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  6. The Art Institute blew my mind. I had seen that Picasso as a print before, but there was something about seeing it in person. I enjoy art but never has anything moved me like that piece. To be looking at The Old Guitarist so long after a hungry young man painted it on his table, seeing the old brush strokes and covered portrait behind, it was incredible.

    The sky deck was cool because we could see different sections of the city as we visited, but that was the only way to really get a feel for just how expansive it actually is. I didn't listen to my tour because I didn't think it would be much use at night, and I kind of liked being an anonymous viewer of unidentified buildings. Most of the people we met on our trip were friendly, but there was a sense of anonymity throughout the week that this stop really emphasized.
    Sara B

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  7. The art institute was amazing I could have walked around there for hours just looking at all the pieces! But my favorite part was the skydeck I love heights and the fact that I got to walk out and look down at the street and everything around was pretty cool. Although there was fog out that night so the view wasnt that great but from what I could see it was still breath taking! Chicago was so much fun and I learned so much im so glad i went on this trip and I wish I could go on more trips like this!!!

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  8. I really enjoyed everything that we did on the Chicago trip, but the Sky Deck, Millennium Park, and the Art Institute were my favorites. The Sky Deck was definitely a thriller, and I really enjoyed getting a beautiful view of the entire city. We picked the perfect day to go to Millennium Park! I had a great time playing in the water and walking around the Bean. The Art Institute was the best art gallery on the trip by far. The photography exhibit was my favorite part.

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  9. The art institute made me like a kid in a candy shop. I felt as if I was only there for 5 minutes and wished I had been there for longer. I have had three art history classes, but I feel as if on the trip I had a reeducation. I am so happy to have had so many chances to experience art in chicago.

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