Art in the City

So I caught the latest exhibit at the Art Institute of Chicago this week. Winslow Homer and Edward Hopper. They are actually two separate shows billed on one $20 ticket. The price is usually too rich for my blood but considering that the Homer gallery is truly one of a kind and all together some 200 images are on display it is only sticker shock. The museum already features a number of Winslow Homer artworks and Edward Hopper's most iconic painting "Nighthawks" is normally on display in their American Galleries. What sets this exhibit apart is the fact that never before have so many of Homer's watercolors been on view together. Winslow Homer apparently was a good businessman. He knew that the medium of water color was fast and inexpensive so he could sell lots of them cheap and quick. Many institutions bought them and put them on display so time took its toll on the paintings. Since the watercolors are prized possessions and extremely fragile most images rarely see gallery time much less travel.

The rarity of the images along with, arguably, two of the most important and familiar names in American art turned out to be merely the hook that pulled me in. The show really appealed to my sensibilities as a city dweller and my affinity for an active life outdoors. While both artists feature scenes of the wilderness Homer clearly stands out in this respect. He portrays picturesque scenes of the Adirondacks as only an avid outdoors-man could convey. Dramatic glimpses into the life of a Gloucester fisherman are not far behind.



Edward Hopper views a metropolis like no other. Upwards of 60 years a have passed since his brush touched the canvas yet his images are no less powerful. In a recent interview on NPR's All Songs Considered singer songwriter Josh Ritter mentions a painting titled Automat that he likens to an isolated individual in a crowded rock show. Such is Hopper's view of city life. This is most noted in Nighthawks which was made shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Another unique view of the city comes from riding an elevated train traveling past top floor apartments. Hopper takes a two second glimpse into someones life and immortalizes it, giving no particular narration therefore allowing the viewer to take out of it what they will.

Three Cheers for Spring

Blame it on the groundhog. Winter isn't going anywhere. My ride in today was geared up with goggles and a winter coat. The path was plowed at least once prior to my ride this morning but the snow is wet and slippery. It had me taking the turns extra wide.

The one thing thats great about pedaling in the snow is that you get the progression of riders who have been on the path before you. I live as farther south than most commuters and the evidence is in the snow tracks. I get on the path at 51st and there is only one other track until 35th st. Maybe one or two more by Soldier Field. Once I'm at the museum campus there's a good cache of tracks for the home stretch to the Loop. Not today. There were two other tracks besides mine and I'm pretty sure one of those bikes goes to my building.

Orion is Upside Down

So I've been on the other side of the world since the 22nd of Feb. About a year ago A girl that I had met while living in Florida and working for Disney shot me an e-mail telling me she was getting married. Our friendship is rooted in my passion for Chicago and hers for her home of New Zealand. She came to visit me in Chicago and by the time I had the cash to visit her in NZ she had moved to London. I traveled to London instead and thus began my travels abroad. So when I heard she was getting hitched in Auckland I took some time off work. I also found out that a cousin of mine was stationed near Sydney. The perfect storm for a down under vacation. My flight took me to Sydney first to enjoy the sites of the Australian metropolis and then to the sleepy surf town that my cousin and her family resides. I then flew to Auckland, NZ for the wedding which included a night boat cruise in the Auckland harbor. Once the wedding was over the suit went in the mail and I donned a backpack and went to the picturesque Bay of Islands. The town was called Paihia and I got out on the water again and took a few day-hikes through some mangrove forest. The next tier was back in Auckland for some museum action waiting for the weather to turn in Rotorua. Rotorua is in an area that is called the Bay of Plenty because you can plant anything and it will grow like its on speed. Here you will find a California Redwood forest that had the best mountainbiking I've ever seen. It is also an active volcanic region with natural hot spring pools and boiling mud pits. Rotorua was the highlight of the trip. Good people, great bicycle culture with an excellent visitor's center.

Sydney at Night

Newcastle, Australia
Major coal export industry. There were always ships like these waiting to get loaded.


The surfing side of Newcastle

I thought this was perfect. Everyone has to purchase a window sticker to register their car so the city printed a friendly reminder so the driver could see.

Auckland, New Zealand at night. Pic was taken from a boat so its not perfect.


Hole in the Rock, this is an icon of the Bay of Islands


Hiking though the mangrove forest

Another iconic image of New Zealand, a blooming fern.

Rotorua from the MTB trail. The best single track I've ever been on.


This town has their priorities straight. Notice the void of parking meter on the rack side.

Gearing up for my 22 hour 3 plane journey home.

Well That was Fun

The 'ol blog has been on hiatus for the past two weeks because I've been out getting some awesome material. I've been down under and hanging out with kiwis since my last post. I'm currently at Auckland International Airport and will begin the long journey back to the states. The journey will beover before it begins though. Litterally get this I leave this hemisphere at 9:00 am on the 8th and I arrive in the states 8:30 am on the 8th. I won't even tryto wrap my brain around this for fear of a breakdown. Happy trails.