Saturday, May 16, 2009 marked the inaugural celebration of the highly anticipated addition to the Art Institute of Chicago, the Modern Wing. The 264,000 square foot addition opened its doors to the public after a ribbon cutting ceremony that included James Cuno, President and Eloise W. Martin Director of the museum, Modern Wing architect Renzo Piano and Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley. It was a momentous occasion for the dedicated museum staff and supporters after many years of planning and four years of construction. Located at a corner Monroe Street and Columbus Drive, the state-of-the-art facility is a result of a strategic fundraising campaign and dynamic collaboration of support by the city, museum members and generous donors.

“To say this is a historic moment in the history of the Art Institute is almost an understatement,” writes James Cuno in the Press Release for the new wing. “What we celebrate on May 16 is nothing less than the reinvention of the Art Institute. With an entire new building devoted to the museum’s collection of twentieth- and twenty-first century art and design, we can now take our place as one of the leading encyclopedic collections in the country that has also remained steadfastly committed to collecting the art of our time. We are particularly excited to renew and expand our commitment to our visitors. With free and open access to the Ryan Education Center and the Bluhm Family Terrace, as well as our Chicago resident discount, we hope to serve the city and its citizens better than ever before.”

Beginning with the establishment of the Art Institute of Chicago and its patrons dedicated to the cultivation of the arts, Chicago emerged at the turn of the century beyond its silos and stockyards. The opening of the Modern Wing is a new chapter in Chicago's history book, bringing the city to forefront of the 21st century. The building’s revolutionary design, accessibility to the public, educational facilities, leisurely escapes and, not at all least, the world-renowned art collection, represents Chicago as a truly cultural city. The new complex is a product of the genius of Pritzker Prize-winning architect Renzo Piano. This is the second-largest urban museum space for the architect, after his groundbreaking Centre Pompidou in Paris, France. The "Building of the Century" not only provides a new space for the institution’s collection of modern and contemporary art but it increases the museum's overall size more than 30%, making the Art Institute of Chicago the second-largest museum in the United States (behind the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York).

Admission to the Modern Wing and Art Institute of Chicago is free until May 22, 2009. Take advantage now because the price will increase to $18 for adults starting May 23rd. Here is a breakdown of the fabulous building amenities, innovative galleries and distinguished works of art to guide you through your next visit, starting at the top floor:

The Nichols Bridgeway

Spanning more than 600 feet, the Bridgeway serves as a portal from Millennium Park and one of two entrances to the Modern Wing. The boat-inspired bridge is a design of architect Renzo Piano is constructed of steel, aluminum planking and wood handrails. It is also noteworthy that the Bridgeway is engineered heating elements to prevent ice from forming during the long winter months.

The Bluhm Family Terrace

A short jaunt up the Nichols Bridgeway will bring you to the third floor of the Modern Wing and entrance to The Bluhm Family Terrace. This is one of a few resting spots available at the new facility. This is an outdoor, breathtaking retreat that will also serve as a rotating exhibition space. Currently on view will sculptural works by American artist Scott Burton. Known for presenting a play-on-form versus function, Burton's chair-like sculptures engage the viewer to actively inhabit the space. The sleek and minimalist creations continue to put forward the accessibility of the Terrace as visitors, young and old, observe, climb and sit upon the body of work. Please note that admission for the museum is not required to visit the Bluhm Family Terrace.

Terzo Piano

A dining destination located at the third floor of the Modern Wing, just next to The Bluhm Family Terrace, that is accessible from the Nichols Bridgeway and the elevator from the Modern Wing. The restaurant is a celebration of Renzo Piano’s design for the building and Tony Mantuano’s passion for Italian-Mediterranean cuisine. To slip away from the crowds and enjoy a refreshing glass of wine in the modern space or outside on the terrace is a vacation within the museum.

The Art Institute of Chicago. Modern Gallery, Photo by Dave Jordano.

Third Floor

Modern European Art Collection, 1900-1950

A large, reclining nude figure serves as the frontispiece to the modern European Art Galleries on the third floor. The maquette by British sculptor Henry Moore thoughtfully placed at the entrance sets the tone for the forthcoming experience. Curated by Douglas Druick and Stephanie A’lessandro the walls of the European Art Galleries are graced by modern masters. Paintings, works on paper and sculpture by Henri Matisse [two works seen above], Wassily Kandinsky, Alberto Giacometti, Pablo Picasso, Joan Miró and Constantin Brancusi dominate the space. Also part of the third-floor space are the generous gifts of 37 works by Joseph Cornell from the collection of Lindy and Edwin Bergman. This significant assemblage of work in the third-floor galleries are housed underneath Renzo Piano's innovative “flying carpet” roof, which allows natural light into the galleries. This roof is one of the many reasons why the Modern Wing is seeking LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification at the silver level. The roof is constructed of “computer-modeled blades” that allow soft Northern light to saturate the space while filtering out potentially harmful rays from Southern sunlight.

Jim Nutt, American, born 1938. Sally Slips Bye-Bye, 1972. Acrylic on canvas. 106.7 x 79 cm (42 x 31 1/8 in.) The Art Institute of Chicago, Gift of the Robert A. Lewis Fund in memory of William and Polly Levey.

Second Floor

Contemporary Art

The galleries on the second floor give a refreshing opportunity for the museum to display recent art. Groupings of art range from the Post-War period to the 21st Century. Curated by James Rondeau, Frances and Thomas Dittmer Chair of Contemporary Art, the collection is divided into thematic gallery arrangements that include works by Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning, Jasper Johns, (the Post-War gallery) and Bruce Nauman, Frank Stella, Roy Lichtenstein and Andy Warhol (the 21st Century and Pop galleries). These groupings are combined with single-artist galleries featuring Gerhard Richter, Ellsworth Kelly, Richard Serra and Eve Hesse. The added space of the Modern Wing allows for a void to be filled, in the form of the much-needed galleries showing the work of Chicago artists. Currently paintings by Jim Nutt [seen above], Ed Paschke and Kerry James Marshall are all on view on the second floor.

Architecture and Design

The Modern Wing has also enabled the museum to display its collection of contemporary works of design and architecture. Led by Joseph Rosa, the John H. Bryan Chair of Architecture and Design, and Zöe Ryan, the Neville Bryan curator of Design, the department has undergone significant growth holding more than 170,000 objects. Work by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Stanley Tigerman and Frank Gehry are on display.

Balcony Café

The second rest stop at the new Modern Wing. Prices and menu are a vast change from Terzo Piano upstairs, but the idea of relaxing within the museum is in tune with other facility retreats. Reading material is available along with bites and beverages to help you through a marathon day at the museum or an afternoon snack.

First Floor

The Art Institute of Chicago. Griffin Court, Photo by Charles G. Young, Interactive Design Architects.

Griffin Court

Upon entrance from Monroe Street, Griffin Court acts as is causeway into all first-floor galleries, the Modern Shop, Ryan Education Center, Pritzker Garden and the rest of the museum.

The Modern Shop

The first stop in or out from the Millennium Park entrance. Like other museum stores, The Modern Shop carries books and material relating to the Art Institute, its exhibitions, curators and professors. With kitschy art-themed gifts and reproductions, the impulse buy is inevitable. A jewelry trunk show was held at the shop on Opening Day.

Pritzker Garden

Designed by Gustafson Guthrie Nichol, Ltd., the Margot and Thomas Pritzker Garden continues the museum’s dedication to "green." This first floor sanctuary is shaded by the “flying carpet” of the third floor and seating available to the public. The terrace also acts as an exhibition space for the only commissioned work in the new wing. White Curve (2009) by Ellsworth Kelly was commissioned to honor James Wood, the museum’s director from 1980-2004.

Brooks McCormick Court

Off of Pritzker Garden and also designed by Gustafson Guthrie Nichol, Ltd., Brooks McCormick Court offers new landscaping at the corner of Monroe Street and Columbus Avenue. Stop by the court to see Louis Sullivan’s preserved Entrance Arch from the Chicago Stock Exchange.

Abbott Galleries

Dedicated to special exhibitions, these galleries will feature work relevant to “the art of our time”. Currently on view is “Cy Twombly: The Natural World, Selected Works 2000-2007." [also reviewed this week by Robyn]

Photography Gallery

Boasting a larger exhibition space to complement the significant collection (over 18,000 works), the Photography Gallery includes work by Richard Prince, Irving Penn, in an installation Gaylen Gerber, as well as Cindy Sherman and David Hammons. In addition to galleries in the Allerton Building, the new space in the Modern Wing heralds new highlights and eyesights from the large collection. With the opening of the Wing, Matthew S. Witkovsky, Chair of the Department of Photography will be able to focus and present a relevant and contemporary look at the medium.

Donna and Howard Stone Film, Video and New Media Gallery

There is a great contrast when entering the new media gallery from the sun-filled Griffin Court. The room is dark, people and objects are difficult to make out as everyone is gathered in the projection space. The inaugural piece for the gallery, Girls, Tricky is by director and artist Steve McQueen. The film short features a continuous, fifteen minute take of “trip-hop” star Tricky getting high and rehearsing during a recording session. This gallery of the new Wing is one to watch, with an extensive library of multi-media.

The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Education Center

Like The Bluhm Family Terrace, the Ryan Education Center does not require admission to the museum. Programming is available for families, school groups and teenagers. The education facility is twice the size of the previous space including three studios, five classrooms a resource center, orientation room and kids shop. In line with the museum’s mission to education, the Center also promotes innovation in thinking and education providing multi-media platforms and computer centers. The boost in space and amenities prepares the Ryan Education Center to assist, help and educate nearly 2,000 patrons daily.



-- Robyn Farrell Roulo