Opening Day at the Modern Wing featured musical performances, gallery lectures and activities for visitors of every age.  Not to mention the art. 111 S. Michigan Ave. was a sea of people spanning from Millennium Park to the new Modern Wing and throughout the rest of the Museum. It was a celebration for the devoted member and inquisitive visitor or passerby alike.  For some of us, the fanfare was just a continuation from the night before.

On Friday night at 10 PM, 1500 people from Chicago's art-minded crowd gathered as The Board of Trustees of the Art Institute of Chicago, Margot Pritzker and Jason Pritzker sponsored a late night celebration of the Modern Wing entitled "Young Modern".  With a ticket price of $75, entrance to the event was more within reach than the premium Gala Opening of the Modern Wing that was held on May 9th.  Similar to the "After Dark" events held quarterly at the Art Institute, Friday night's opening elevated the new space beyond its architectural prowess and educational mission.  The ambiance was dramatic as Griffin Court, the main avenue of the Modern Wing, was transformed into an exclusive club.  Musical and Video performances projected through the galleries and the couture creations presented by Marisa Swystun and Michelle Barone were not the only fashion statements on view.  The attendance was an amalgamation of the bohemian artist and the young professional.  The mass of 1000+ people may have shown the range of Chicago's 20-40 something crowd, but we were all there for the same reason: a chance to experience the Art Institute's "Building of the Century" and the world-renowned collection.  Throughout the night, I kept hearing "Where are we? New York? Paris?" but no, it was sweet home Chicago.

I can compare Friday's event to being a kid in a candy store.  The Modern Wing was flooded with light and breathtaking views of the city.  Galleries were spacious and a delectable treat for the exclusive crowd of the sold-out event.  Between the art and the people there was enough eye candy to last for hours.  As a member of The Board of Directors for Evening Associates of the Art Institute of Chicago (the Museum's young professionals group), it was a crowning achievement to see the Museum packed with art-minded Chicagoans eager to be a part of this once-in-a-lifetime experience.  The level of anticipation and excitement while walking up to the entrance of the Modern Wing lasted throughout the night.  Part of the Art Institute's marketing campaign was "Circa Now" which describe my feelings exactly.  The late-night soirée presented a forum that was of the moment, in a space that champions art of the day.

Ed Paschke, Mid American, 1969, oil on canvas.

For future events that will take place at the Art Institute and the Modern Wing, please visit the museum's website, www.artic.edu/aic/.  Aside from the upcoming summer hours (open until 9pm on Thursday and Friday nights, free after 5pm), you can check out the Museum's monthly calendar of events for lectures, performances and gatherings.

--Robyn Farrell Roulo

(All photos by Robyn Roulo. Robyn is a member of the Board of Directors for the Evening Associates)