The city of Chicago’s lakefront gardens, art and architecture draw locals and tourists, alike, to a year-round destination of cultural and sensual pleasures. May, 2009 heralded the opening of the new wing of the Art Institute of Chicago, designed by architect, Renzo Piano.
Millennium Park Walkway to AIC Wing & Terzo Piano Restaurant (Alice Joyce photo)
Although completed behind schedule, Chicago’s Millennium Park opened in 2004 to demonstrate a crowning achievement for the City, and an international success for Mayor Daley, the man responsible for spearheading the effort. One of the delights of Millennium Park is the 2.5-acre Lurie Garden: Kathryn Gustafson/Piet Ouldolf/Robert Israel design. In 2009 a stunning walkway had recently opened to the public, leading from the Lurie Garden directly to the elegant Terzo Piano Restaurant and another entryway to the Art Institute’s new upper level.
Chicago's Lurie Garden Agastache (Alice Joyce photo)
Art Institute of Chicago New Wing, Sculpture Terrace (Alice Joyce photo)
In the photo, above left, The Sculpture Terrace provides stunning views, looking out over the Lurie Garden, and beyond to the Jay Pritzker Pavilion designed by architect Frank Gehry.
Jay Pritzker Pavilion - Frank Gehry Design (Alice Joyce photo)
Through the sculpture terrace’s glass wall atop the Renzo Piano-designed Modern Wing, the view of the Lurie Garden takes in the rill, which culminates in a sedate waterfall.
View of Lurie Garden from AIC terrace (Alice Joyce photo)
Lurie Garden Rill (Alice Joyce photo)
Margo and Thomas Pritzker Garden: One approaches the Pritzker Garden from the museum’s Griffin Court, in the new Modern Wing of the Art Institute of Chicago. Facing Columbus Drive, the space is designed with an elegant simplicity, given a sense of shelter by the flying carpet overhead (photo below – upper left), so named by architect Renzo Piano.
Pritzker Garden with Ellsorth Kelly's 'White Curve' (Alice Joyce photo)
Chartreuse chairs are placed about the crushed stone terrace, the bright enameled seating producing an ambiance that conjures up images of European gardens. Naturalistic plantings of grasses soften the sleek setting, punctuated by the spare placement of trees with peeling bark. White Curve: A work by Ellsworth Kelly glimmers with the changing light on the museum wall. The sculpture’s reflective surface is animated by reflections of the garden’s columns & trees. Specially commissioned in collaboration with the building’s architect, Renzo Piano, the work is the largest to-date in Kelly’s oeuvre.
Its certainly a beautiful place to visit one day. Your pictures are awesome.
I am planning a trip to Chicago next summer. I did want to visit some of the gardens. Now I know where to go :-)
Lots more to follow, Noelle. Stay tuned!
My niece just got married and it was in Chicago…unfortunately we were unable to attend. I would love to visit some of these gardens…they look fabuloso!
I loved your post about the Millenium Park and thanks for the link to the Lurie Garden – the plant lists they produce are great! I will use them – perhaps even tomorrow – for a planting design class.. thank you.