Arte

   My family and I used to go to the Art Institute of Chicago very often when I was growing up. Then my siblings and I started to get older and eventually we didn't make as many trips Downtown as we used to. 

   But now that I live Downtown, I get to take many friends and family to the Art Institute. Although all the pieces are art within themselves, I enjoy creating my own rendition of them via camera.

   All of the works I have taken pictures of are in the Modern Art Wing of the Art Institute.

   Much of the artworks are very deceiving in appearance. The one to the right of this text is not a photograph, it's an oil painting on canvas. When looked at closely the painting, Woman Descending the Staircase by Gerhard Richter, seems to be smeared.There were two other works by this painting that used a similar technique, but not so flawlessly as this painting. I will have you know, though, that the camera is in focus. The painting is made to look like an out-of-focus photo. 

When I first saw these works I thought of Jackson Pollack and tv static in technicolr. As perused the paintings, almost sticking my nose up to them, I wanted to touch them and feel the layers of acrylic and their gritty texture. 

It also reminded me of a couple pieces from the recent Balenciaga Fall 2013 collection. From what I know, these sweaters are painted with a thin coat of acrylic and allowed to dry. After they are solid, the fabric is then contorted and distressed to make the paint crack. The achieved effect is meant to replicate marble tiles, as seen on the catwalk the models walked on.

     Here are some more pictures I took in the Modern Wing. All these works are classified as Contemporary, according to "The Essential Guide" for the Art Institute of Chicago.