Art Appreciation and Philosophy

LOOK
LEARN
SOCIALIZE
TALK
ASK

WHY DO WE LOVE ART?

INTERACTIVE TOUR OF THE MUSEUM
Do you believe art is important? Do you want to meet people who care about the arts?
If you are curious and want to learn more, explore the visual world at Chicago’s world class art museum.
Admission is free for Illinois residents on Thursdays from 5 to 8 PM, until September 25th.

What do all works of art, in all media, have in common?
What makes art alive?
What makes great visual design work?
Why does art touch our inner selves?

Happy to be back in Chicago and resume the great groove with our curious art lovers!
There is no set fee for this event, but voluntary contributions are requested to support the research and event creation.
Shimón will lead our group, exploring select art works in the Art Institute of Chicago collections.
We can chat a little to explore your interests before moving into the galleries. We value beauty in all the arts.

Why are we drawn to certain art works? Why is Art more important than technology? How does the brain help us feel so much when we look at art?
What are the varieties of visual intelligence? Why is visual design the main content, and narrative less so? How does energy move around a work of art?

Give yourself permission to de-stress, engage, and nurture yourself.

Emphasizing careful and slow looking, we will be stand in front of major art works by Gustave Caillebotte in the special exhibition. If the show is too crowded, we will move to the theme of Ancient and Modern Harmonies, with ancient Chinese pieces and work by George Inness, Redon, Francis Bacon, Matisse, Juan Gris, Francis Picabia, and Frank Lloyd Wright. We will look at visual rhythm and the actual visual experience. Your interests, questions, and reactions are welcome and appreciated. We will minimize treatment of contemporary history and the artist’s life. Our goal is to enhance your visual experience and engagement with art of all times and places.

Holders of Chicago Public Library cards can obtain a free digital pass admission to the Art Institute through a link in the Art Institute's website, under Free Admission Opportunities. Illinois teachers, and employees of certain corporate partners are also admitted free of charge. Enter the Modern Wing on Monroe Street, not Michigan Avenue.

Meet opposite the ticketing area in the Modern Wing. Members always attend, so there often is an opportunity for members in the group to provide free admission to others signed up for the meetup. So you might wait to buy a ticket until after we assemble and talk. We’ll gather and chat a little before heading into the galleries at about 2:15. We will try to check the event comments at least twice, to communicate with anyone who is late.
Latecomers, please look in the comments for this event (rather than messaging me directly), where I should list the order of the first 4 galleries we will be visiting. It is difficult to look at my messages in the middle of our interactive sessions.

The Modern Wing and coat check area are much busier on Sundays and in the Spring and Summer, so you may plan accordingly. This event is open to everyone curious about the arts, and any level of experience, including those with art training and practice, dancers, musicians, and people with science, engineering and math backgrounds. We can have fun with a meaningful and enjoyable exchange.

Shimón took classes at Yale with Robert Herbert, Vincent Scully, Jay Leyda, and others. His practice of several art forms informs his research into what is common to all the arts, and his dedication to bringing an exciting experience of art to everyone.
Shimón is requesting voluntary contributions by participants after the program, to support his ongoing work and research.

Quoting Barbara Ann Kipfer: "Thinking is less interesting than looking."