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Chicago Tribune
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Review: ‘City in a Garden' spans decades of local LGBTQ art and activism at the MCA
This summer in Chicago, three of the city's most prominent art spaces are presenting major exhibitions with LGBTQ themes. One is scholarly: 'The First Homosexuals,' featuring hundreds of artworks that explore the creation of homosexuality as an identity between the years 1869 and 1939, at Wrightwood 659. One is historical: 'Gustave Caillebotte: Painting Men,' a blockbuster touring retrospective on the Impressionist master, disappointingly retitled by the Art Institute as 'Painting His World.' One brings it all up to date and back home: the MCA's 'City in a Garden: Queer Art and Activism in Chicago,' a messy, exuberant gathering of painting, sculpture, photography, film and ephemera stretching from the 1980s to the present day. Art exhibitions do not happen overnight. They take years of planning, especially when they involve deep research and international loans. A confluence of such shows on a related subject is a rare occurrence, worth paying attention to as evidence of profound cultural shifts. In Chicago right now, the evidence points to the importance and durability of LGBTQ rights and realities, despite aggressive conservative political agendas. Much of what makes 'City in a Garden' so contemporary is the wide embrace of the word 'queer' taken by curator Jack Schneider, who organized the exhibit with Korina Hernandez. Once an insult applied to gays and lesbians, the term was reclaimed starting in the '80s and has since expanded beyond same-sex sexuality to include any sexual orientation or gender identity not corresponding to heterosexual norms — but also, more broadly, to a general refusal of categorization and mainstreaming. So 'City in a Garden' is only partly a survey of art made by artists who identify as gay, lesbian or transgender; it is also, more experimentally, a consideration of artworks that are themselves queer in one way or another. Sometimes the relevance is clear, like a quartet of photos taken by Doug Ischar in 1985 of men tanning and embracing on the Belmont Rocks, a gay beach scene the artist documented as much as belonged to. Diana Solis, Patric McCoy and Luis Medina also photographed their own communities and spaces. But sometimes the criteria for inclusion are murkier, as in Catherine Opie's opalescent views of Lake Michigan, one for each season, hung with their horizons in line. Opie rose to prominence for her formal studio portraits of California's queer communities, but she is also a serious landscape photographer, and the curators ask interesting questions by putting that work here. Does Opie reveal something radical about the lake through the way she frames it, as an ever-changing entity of constant fluidity? Could Lake Michigan be queer? Throughout the show, tension recurs between fabulousness and death. It probably could not be otherwise, given that the show's timeline begins amid the AIDS crisis; too many of the artists, and those they pictured, did not survive that era, or they did but died years later from complications related to living with HIV/AIDS. Roger Brown's 1983 disco painting of a skeleton in a naughty leather cap embodies both extremes. Chiffon Thomas' silicone cast of a torso — blackened with charcoal dust, pounded with nails and braced with rebar — exists somewhere painful but consensual between S&M culture and transition surgery. Even Nick Cave's gorgeous 'Soundsuit' from 2008, a sculpture that outfits its wearer in a head-to-toe bodysuit of crochet doilies, includes an upper-body cage abloom in tin flowers. That might not be death, but it's a whole lot of difficulty and claustrophobia masked by beauty. Likewise Guanyu Xu's takeover of his parents' Beijing dining room from the 2018 photography series 'Temporary Censored Home': though living in Chicago as a gay man, Xu had not come out to his parents and could only fully inhabit their apartment when they were out and he fleetingly filled a room with images of his foreign life and work. Some of the most exciting artworks here are strange, hybrid things. Faysal Altunbozar's bird feeders-cum-dildos offer hilarious tribute to one of Chicago's most scenic cruising spots, the Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary. Mary Stoppert's puzzling sculpture of a spiked hand emerging from a white calla lily, all expertly carved from a single block of wood, teases delightfully. It is unclear what exactly Jeanne Dunning has photographed in 'The Pink,' a 6-foot-tall photograph of a glistening, oozy red substance that nauseates with its subcutaneous fleshiness but might be just grapefruit segments. William J. O'Brien clutters a table with his own weight in mementoes and his unabashedly bright, ugly ceramics in a speculative self-portrait arguably more accurate than a typical likeness. At the heart of the exhibition are local collectives. Some used artsy tactics for political action, others political tools for art making. From 1993-95, the group Haha maintained a storefront in Rogers Park that grew hydroponic greens and herbs for HIV/AIDS patients, providing free biweekly meals and events. In 2004, the Pilot TV collective came together in a Bridgeport three-flat over four intense days to temporarily create a cooperative 'transfeminist' television studio, producing 35 talk shows, cooking classes, dramas and more. Most crucial of all was ACT/UP Chicago, part of a national grassroots network whose members worked tirelessly, creatively and at great risk to bring attention to the AIDS crisis as it was being fatally ignored by the U.S. government. A sprawling, glam newspaper collage by Hunter Reynolds commemorates the chapter's work, as does a display case full of ephemera, the highlight of which is a T-shirt showing a woman with her face buried in another woman's crotch under the words 'Power Breakfast.' Designed by Mary Patten and Jeanne Kracher, it was a fundraising bestseller. Imaging the future of trans healthcare — and plastering it across the MCA'City in a Garden' ends on a dreamy but utterly knowing note. How could it not, given the extraordinary advances in queer rights and protections achieved since the Reagan era and the enormous threats currently posed by the Trump administration? Four cheery architectural renderings from Edie Fake's 'Memory Palace' series fictionalize bold storefronts for real organizations from Chicago's LGBTQ past that, like the abortion counseling service Jane, necessarily existed mostly underground. In many places in the U.S. today, they have to all over again. The final artwork is Paul Heyer's shimmery painting of a cowboy, larger than life, gently crouching to scoop water from the ground. It would be simply romantic except for five huge white circles that sit atop the image and threaten to obliterate it. That must never happen, and with shows like 'City in a Garden' to help remember and envision, it surely won't.
The Star
6 days ago
- Science
- The Star
The great dinosaur egg hunt
AT the foot of Sainte Victoire, the mountain in Provence, France, immortalised by Impressionist painter Paul Cezanne, a palaeontologist brushes meticulously through a mound of red clay looking for fossils. These are not any old fossils, but 75-million-year-old dinosaur eggs. Little luck or skill is needed to find them: scientists believe that there are more dinosaur eggs here than at any other place on Earth. The area, closed to the public, is nicknamed 'Eggs en Provence', due to its proximity to the south-eastern city of Aix en Provence. 'There's no other place like it,' explained Thierry Tortosa, a palaeontologist and conservationist at the Sainte Victoire Nature Reserve. 'You only need to look down to find fragments. We're literally walking on eggshells here.' Children searching for dinosaur eggs at the Mount Sainte-Victoire site, near Aix-en-Provence in southern France. Around 1,000 eggs, some of them as big as 30cm in diameter, have been found here in recent years in an area measuring less than a hectare – a mere dot on a reserve that will span 280ha once it is doubled in size by 2026 to prevent pillaging. 'We reckon we've got about one egg per square metre. So there are thousands, possibly millions, here,' said Tortosa. 'Eggs' is not in the business of competing with other archaeological sites – even though Tortosa finds the 'world record' of 17,000 dinosaur eggs discovered in Heyuan, China, in 1996 vaguely amusing. 'We're not looking to dig them up because we're in a nature reserve and we can't just alter the landscape. We wait until they're uncovered by erosion,' he said. 'Besides, we don't have enough space to store them all. We just take those that are of interest from a palaeontology point of view.' Despite the plethora of eggs on site, the scientists still have mysteries to solve. Those fossils found so far have all been empty, either because they were not fertilised or because the chick hatched and waddled off. 'Until we find embryos inside – that's the Holy Grail – we won't know what kind of dinosaur laid them. All we know is that they were herbivores because they're round,' said Tortosa. Fossilised dinosaur embryos are rarer than hen's teeth. Palaeontologists discovered a tiny fossilised Oviraptorosaur that was at least 66 million years old in Ganzhou, China, around the year 2000. But Tortosa remains optimistic that 'Eggs' holds its own Baby Yingliang. 'Never say never. In the nine years that I've been here, we've discovered a load of stuff we never thought we'd find.' Tortosa showing dinosaur eggs found at the site. — AFP Which is why experts come once a year to search a new part of the reserve. The location is always kept secret to deter pillagers. During a recent visit, six scientists were crouched under camouflage netting in a valley lost in the Provencal scrub, scraping over a few square metres of clay-limestone earth, first with chisels, then with pointy-tipped scribers. 'There's always something magical – like being a child again – when you find an egg or a fossilised bone,' specialist Severine Berton said. Their 'best' finds – among the thousands they have dug up – include a small femur and a 30cm-long tibia-fibula. They are thought to come from a Rhabdodon or a Titanosaur – huge herbivores who roamed the region. In the Cretaceous period (89-66 million years BCE), the Provencal countryside's then-flooded plains and silty-clayey soils offered ideal conditions for dinosaurs to graze and nest, and perfect conditions to conserve the eggs for millennia. The region, which stretched from what is now Spain to the Massif Central mountains of central France formed an island that was home to several dinosaur species found nowhere else in the world. Alongside the endemic herbivores were carnivores such as the Arcovenator and the Variraptor, a relative of the Velociraptor of Jurassic Park fame. In 1846, French palaeontologist Philippe Matheron found the world's first fossilised dinosaur egg in Rognac, around 30km from Eggs. Since then, museums from across the world have dispatched people to Provence on egg hunts. Everyone, it seems, wants a bit of the omelette. Despite efforts to stop pillaging, problems persist, such as when a wildfire uncovered a lot of fossils in 1989 and 'everyone came egg collecting', Tortosa said. Five years later the site was designated a national geological nature reserve, closed to the public – the highest level of protection available. The regional authorities are now mulling over ways to develop 'palaeontology tourism', a move Tortosa applauds. 'France is the only country in the world that doesn't know how to promote its dinosaurs,' Tortosa said. 'Any other place would set up an entire museum just to show off a single tooth.' — AFP
The Spinoff
7 days ago
- The Spinoff
Travel Diary: A winter weekend in Melbourne – the next best thing to European summer?
Rebecca Murphy recaps her first trip overseas with her husband, and first time out of the country since the Covid-19 lockdowns. No hot girl summer for me, no sipping Chablis in France with the warm sun on my back. Instead, it was a long weekend in Melbourne to get a change of scenery. Make no mistake, she was as cold as a wintry walk on Dunedin's St Clair beach. What a weekend though – art, pints, walks and kransky hotdogs with some peak thrifting on Chapel Street. Here's the recap. Where did you go and why? We flew from Auckland to Melbourne for four days. I've only been married for two and a half years, and my husband and I have basically just been in deep with kids for what feels like forever. He had a work trip coming up, and I decided to go along. It was our first vacay out of the country, which felt really overdue. How tricky was it to get there? Easy! Although leaving our dog Albert felt heavy on our hearts, especially because we left early in the morning. My sister did swoop in to his rescue however, to dogsit. Roughly how much did you spend getting there and back? About $750 for me. Which airline did you fly with? How was the flight? We flew Air New Zealand. The flights were good although I was too polite on the way over and failed to negotiate my arm rest. What was the highlight? Without a doubt the highlight was going to the National Gallery of Victoria to see the French Impressionists exhibition. This was high on our list of things to do while we were in Melbourne as some of our favourite artists were on display. The exhibition turned out to be a bit of an emotional journey for us both. I felt a bit overwhelmed at times. My late dad loved to drag us along to galleries as kids. He had a deep appreciation for art, particularly the Impressionist movement. I saw so many paintings we had talked about over the years, and one of our favourites by Claude Monet. I felt my dad standing beside me at times and that felt so special, he would have liked to have been there. My husband's late mother also loved to paint, particularly the sky. So, for him there was also much to enjoy and reflect on with love. We took so much in, there were quotes from all of the artists. It felt like an exclusive club. One quote I loved by Eugène Boudin: 'To bathe in the depths of the sky. To express the gentleness of clouds… to set the blue of the sky alight. I can feel all this within me, poised and awaiting expression. What joy and yet what torment.' All in all, a beautiful gallery. Melburnians are lucky to have such a glorious space to enjoy. Was there a lowlight? Not really, I was just happy to be away and enjoying a city that felt a bit new with my best friend. Maybe the lowlight was that it was bloody freezing. Did you spot any cool animals? No. Cool animals in Australia? Everything kills you. I am glad I saw none. I saw some beautiful big gum trees, however, and there were also a few plant shops around where we stayed. They had lots of buzzy cacti on display which was cool. Catch any sports? We went to the pub on our last night to eat a chicken parmi and watch AFL. I don't understand the rules though, so it was a bit average. That was about it. Also, chicken parmi is mental. It's a no from me. Where did you stay? We booked an Airbnb in Prahran. In my opinion, Prahran has all you need. One end has beautiful restaurants and boutique shops. The other end has the famed Chapel Street which has ultimate Karangahape Road vibes. It's full of character, colourful people, and the best vintage shopping. I took full advantage of this and came home with some fun new things from Vinnies. The famous Prahran market is also an absolute delight. It's bursting with delicious food, flowers, cheese, there's an oyster bar – it's got bloody everything. We shopped there most days and took lots back to our apartment to snack on with huge glasses of wine. So good, cannot recommend highly enough. I love to sit and watch at places like the market. There were just so many different cultures there, families working together, it was a really beautiful insight into the lives of others. Also, I was asked countless times where I was staying and had to repeat myself. In the end I just stopped trying to pronounce 'Prahran' and said I was staying on Chapel Street. Did you meet any interesting characters? Or bump into someone you already knew? I caught up with my beautiful cousin who has been living in Melbourne for what feels like far too long. Her husband owns a cafe in Balaclava called walltwo80, hands down the best coffee we had on our trip. I had three which made me anxious, but we walked it off in St Kilda. I thought this part of town used to be a vibe, but it felt a bit rank and touristy with that sort of really bad design that so many seaside towns in Australia have (i.e. The Goldy). Anyways, bloody great coffee. Did anyone lend a hand or help you out? I helped out the woman next to me on the flight over by not complaining that she took BOTH armrests! Did you spot any celebrities? My husband saw Tim from the last season of MAFS. Haha. What was the best meal or snack you had? I had a chilli cheese kransky hotdog from Prahran Market. It was out the gate. I made my husband go and eat one when he finished work. So tasty. What items did you pack that you really needed? Long coat and wooly jerseys. It was freezing. Did you miss anything while you were away? Albert, I really missed Albert. What travel/holiday reads would you recommend for this destination? I started The Secret History by Donna Tartt which is so good. I also watched We Were Dangerous on the way over and absolutely loved it, a New Zealand film that I had wanted to see for ages. How easy was it to get around? We trammed, trained and got the Sky Bus. Getting around was very easy and quite cheap. Which was great because I wanted to spend money on things like delicious kai and not Ubers. Did you bring back any lollies or snacks? I brought back an obligatory snack range for my beautiful Spinoff colleagues. It's a tradition/rule in our office that you bring back snacks from the country you traveled to. Someone brought a bloody range of local newspapers back from the UK recently. Straight to jail. Snacks are essential.
Time Business News
10-07-2025
- Time Business News
Paris vs. The French Countryside: Which Should You Choose?
Paris and the French countryside each offer travelers a completely different experience, yet both are essential to understanding the true essence of France. If you are planning your journey and wondering whether to explore the romantic streets of Paris or the serene beauty of the French countryside, this guide will help you decide which will best suit your travel style and interests. The City of Light is often the first destination that comes to mind when planning a trip to France. Paris is known for its art, architecture, history, fashion, and culinary experiences that attract travelers from around the world. Paris is home to some of the world's most recognized landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the Louvre Museum. Strolling along the Seine River, exploring Montmartre, or wandering the streets of Le Marais offers endless opportunities to immerse yourself in the city's unique charm. Paris offers a rich cultural experience with its world-class museums, art galleries, and historic architecture. You can explore masterpieces at the Louvre, admire Impressionist art at the Musée d'Orsay, and enjoy performances at the Opéra Garnier. Paris is a paradise for food lovers, with its bakeries, cafes, and Michelin-starred restaurants offering exquisite French cuisine. Shopping in Paris is equally remarkable, with boutiques and designer stores lining the Champs-Élysées and smaller, independent shops found in various neighborhoods. Paris offers a bustling, energetic city experience, with a variety of activities and attractions to fill your days and nights. Whether you prefer lively cafes, nightlife, art exhibitions, or shopping, the city has something for every traveler. While Paris offers an energetic city experience, the French countryside provides a peaceful and authentic view of France. The countryside is ideal for travelers seeking relaxation, nature, and immersion in local culture. From the lavender fields of Provence to the rolling vineyards of Bordeaux and the picturesque villages of Alsace, the French countryside showcases the diverse landscapes and beauty of the country. It offers travelers the chance to explore quaint villages, castles, and natural wonders at a relaxed pace. In the countryside, you can discover authentic French life, with local markets, traditional cuisine, and family-owned wineries. Engaging with local artisans and exploring small towns like Annecy, Colmar, or Sarlat offers an insight into the region's traditions and daily life. The French countryside offers opportunities for outdoor adventures, including hiking in the French Alps, cycling through vineyards, and exploring the coastal beauty of Brittany and Normandy. These experiences allow travelers to connect with nature and enjoy activities beyond typical sightseeing. If you seek a slower pace of travel and a break from the busy crowds, the countryside offers tranquility and the chance to truly unwind while exploring France. Paris is ideal for travelers who enjoy museums, art galleries, shopping, and fine dining, offering a bustling city environment filled with endless activities. The French countryside, in contrast, is perfect for those looking for relaxation, outdoor activities, and authentic local experiences away from large crowds. Cost and Accommodation While Paris offers luxury hotels and boutique accommodations, it is generally more expensive than the countryside, where travelers can find charming bed-and-breakfasts and family-run inns at more affordable rates. Paris has excellent public transportation, making it easy to explore the city without a car. The countryside often requires renting a car to navigate between towns and attractions, allowing flexibility and freedom in your travel schedule. Your choice between Paris and the French countryside depends on your travel preferences and what you wish to experience during your visit to France. Love art, architecture, and history Prefer an active travel schedule with many attractions Enjoy fine dining and shopping Are visiting France for a short duration and want to experience its iconic highlights Choose the French countryside if you: Prefer a relaxed travel experience Want to explore nature and outdoor activities Seek authentic cultural experiences with local communities Enjoy visiting off-the-beaten-path destinations Combining Paris and the Countryside for the Perfect France Trip For many travelers, the best option is to experience both Paris and the French countryside. Starting your journey in Paris allows you to explore its world-famous attractions before venturing into the countryside for a more relaxed experience. Many france travel packages are designed to include both city and countryside experiences, allowing travelers to enjoy the best of France within a single trip. Whether you choose to visit Paris, the French countryside, or both, planning your trip well in advance will help you make the most of your journey. Researching transportation, accommodations, and activities will ensure a smooth travel experience. For travelers seeking a seamless experience, consider exploring a curated france tour package to help you experience the best of Paris and the French countryside without the stress of planning every detail yourself. Paris offers travelers a vibrant city filled with iconic landmarks, rich culture, and endless activities, while the French countryside provides a peaceful escape filled with scenic beauty and authentic experiences. Both destinations are worth visiting, and choosing between them depends on your travel style and what you wish to experience in France. If you wish to explore France through well-crafted paris france trip packages or a paris vacation tour package while ensuring a smooth and enriching experience, consider connecting with trusted travel partners. For a journey that combines the best of Paris and the French countryside with personalized service, TourOn remains an excellent choice for your next adventure in France. Author Bio Reethika is an aspiring content writer with a strong passion for the tourism and travel industry. Though a fresher, she possesses excellent knowledge of global destinations, travel trends, and audience engagement strategies. With a natural flair for storytelling and a deep curiosity about different cultures, she creates informative, inspiring, and well-researched content that sparks the wanderlust in every reader. Eager to grow and contribute meaningfully, she is committed to delivering high-quality content that connects with travelers and adds value to the industry. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Chicago Tribune
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Laura Washington: The Art Institute is slowly getting back to normal
The lions at the Art Institute of Chicago must be smiling. It's about time. In this space three years ago, I excoriated the famed museum for a myriad of reasons. The iconic felines that guard the museum's entrance shared my unhappiness. We were dismayed by the state of Chicago's premiere art palace, for everything from closing its doors for two days a week to shutting down its restaurants and food services, and firing the docents who provided tours and hosted thousands of visitors so diligently for so many years. It seemed that our venerable art museum had reached its nadir. Back then, the whole city was struggling to escape the pandemic. For Chicago, its economy, artistic ecosystem and cultural ethos, this was a major concern. The lions roared, and disapprobation was their message. The Art Institute, Chicago's most celebrated cultural institution, sits on the city's front porch. Yet, it was not there when it was needed most, leaving an unwelcome vacuum in the heart of the city. The Art Institute is on Chicago's 'ultimate bucket list,' according to Choose Chicago. 'Explore the Art Institute of Chicago to admire one of the largest collections of Impressionist art outside the Louvre and the stunning modern art wing,' declares the Choose Chicago website. Now it's back, and the lions and I are happy, less cranky, as things are getting back to normal. Witness the museum's hours. The feebleness of those hours was shocking. It is now open on Wednesdays and is operating six days a week. That's a big step. Few other world-class museums would dare to be closed two days a week. The museum still needs to get back to seven days, but hopefully, that's a work in progress. Downtown needs all the juice it can get. This development brings a shadow of a smile to the lions. They may not be ready to roar, but they are up for an enigmatic Mona Lisa smile. And guess what? Now, you can meet a friend and catch a lunch at the Art Institute. The cafe has finally reopened. The outdoor fountain where my beloved mother and I dined for so many summer afternoons is back. This serene and classic Chicago spot has been restored. The sound of the water tinkling on the fountain's bronze statues makes my heart flutter. Something I lost has been found. The museum's restaurant, however, is a work in progress. It's lame. Overpriced. Impersonal. Corporate. I'll leave it at that. The new members lounge is two steps forward, one step back. The old space was always too crowded, too small. Often you would arrive to relax but there was nowhere to sit. The new space, which replaced the shuttered Terzo Piano restaurant on the third floor of the Modern Wing, is bright and spacious. There's no problem finding a table. The view is lovely. The Michigan Avenue curtain wall is visible to the west with Grant Park to the east. I have another beef — the lounge has the character of a Marriott Extended Stay lobby breakfast space. Just add a microwave. There are brighter spots. My top pick shows the museum is back in full swing. Or should I say full repose? The museum's Ando Gallery beckons us with silence and thoughtfully curated Japanese and Korean objects of distinction. The gallery, populated with 16 pillars, is a serene space of inspiration and reflection. You can feel the good vibe throughout the building. It would be the perfect place to hold yoga and meditation classes. Now, there's an idea! Another piece of uncanny interest is this summer's offering, Raqib Shaw's elaborate allegorical painting, 'Paradise Lost.' Shaw is a painter born in Calcutta and raised in Kashmir. The exhibit of the painting opened June 7. His 100-foot-wide, 21-panel piece is literally the work of a lifetime. It illuminates the picaresque stories of an artist's journey into the maze of his imagination. In the words of the artist, it is 'my journey from youth to decrepitude and death and beyond.' The lions will tell you. There's no pussyfooting around. The Art Institute is back.
