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Museum Of Contemporary Art
Rating Details »
Categories: Museums, Art Galleries [Edit]
Neighborhoods: Streeterville, Near North Side220 E Chicago Ave
(between Fairbanks Ct & Michigan Ave)
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 280-2660
- Nearest Transit:
-
Chicago (Red)
- Hours:
Tue. 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Wed-Sun. 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Garage
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
184 reviews for Museum Of Contemporary Art
Loved the museum...wanted more from the exhibitions.
Being the unrepentant art dorks that we are, my roommate and I decided to skip the Black Friday 'festivities' and pay a visit to Chicago's MCA on Friday. I really wish we'd known ahead of time that it was free on Tuesdays (note to other travelers: the museum is free on Tuesdays!), but $12 entry for seeing this caliber of modern art is by no means unfair.
The museum itself is an impressive site. A blocky tower with tall ceilings (to the point of being intimidating...eck), the facility is designed to house a wide variety of work. Lots of smaller rooms on each floor provide excuses for more intimate works (video, small installations, etc.), but also make for a somewhat labyrintine feel: after we exited the museum, my friend informed me that I'd missed one of the museum's best pieces, which was evidently tucked away in one such nook.
The museum was housing four (!) large, temporary exhibitions during our visit: a 40 year contemporary art retrospective curated by England's Liam Gillick, a tribute to Alexander Calder's miniature mobiles, a spread of contemporary photographers (centered around the appropriate themes of light and water), and an exhaustive look at Italian modern art, 1960-today. Although I didn't find any of the exhibitions to be particularly mind-blowing, all four of them were certainly worth the time and money spent viewing them. One thing I really appreciated about the MCA was their diverse offerings on display: lots of multi-media work, sculpture, video, photography, you name it. Just as you'd expect from a Contemporary art museum in any Metropolis, Chicago's MCA delivered the goods. One enormous room in the Gillick retrospective seemed like only used about 25% of the space effectively, with most of the chamber being taken up with seemingly space-wasting fences. Sounds like Liam Gillick to me.
The museum staff were courteous and quiet, not overzealous like some museums can be. I even observed one security guard (nicely) cautioning a patron against taking photos of the museum's winding staircase, lest his Canon fall to an untimely end. Nice folks, nice art...awesome shop (see separate review). I'd love to be back someday.
Ya know that feeling you get when...
you come home from the grocery store
only to find that the bagger has left out your most favorite thing that you bought? That you were SO looking forward to indulging in?
That's the feeling I had when I visited MoCA yesterday evening. Nearly the entire 4th floor was closed off. The main floor exhibits left a lot to be desired. I was not inspired, impressed, or in awe at anything. And THAT is what art is suppose to do!
I want goosebumps!
I want to wander for 2 hours... not 30 mins.
At least it was a FREE Tuesday.
This is a great place to hold a modern wedding if you have around 100 guests. There is a great dance floor and the outdoor terrace is perfect!
The only thing to be careful of is the acoustics... the sound can bounce around a bit, so you might want to play around with it.
I think you are required to use Wolfgang Puck catering. They did a fantastic job... food was superb. Absolutely delicious. Their filet mignon was perfection.
Overall, great choice for a wedding venue. And you can take some great photographs outside!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/7/2007
I missed first friday this month, but was able to make it to the MCA over the weekend. There is a… Read more »
As the name would indicate, the Museum of Contemporary Art is, well, a museum of contemporary art. Art fans who love the classics but can't stand all that modern nonsense ("Why is this art?") will not enjoy themselves here, and frankly, shouldn't go. This isn't the place for the classics, but it has a really interesting collection of modern pieces.
I wouldn't say that it is a must see, as there is nothing in their standard collection that I would call mind-blowing, and they don't have any real masterpieces of the genre. There are a few notable pieces, like Warhols, but no grand cultural milestones of the Art Institute caliber. That being said, it is still a very nice museum and worth a watch.
The bread and butter seems to be the temporary exhibits. When there is a traveling contemporary art exhibit in the city, this is usual where it is. A few years ago I saw an outstanding exhibit of Andy Warhol's works that was worth triple the admission price. The museum is always reasonably priced, and should definitely be a target destination based on whats in at the time.
This is a place I suggest tourists to visit if they have several days in Chicago (as opposed to only one), and a place that I chide my Chicago friends for never visiting.
The main exhibits are usually intriguing, controversial, interactive, and educational. Of course everything is hit or miss--art is in the eye of the beholder, after all.
Target free Tuesday=free admission on Tuesdays (plus you get a sweet farmers market in the summer).
The printers ball is an annual literary event complete with readings, free publications, DJs, and alcohol. This is a must.
My only suggestion: if you don't like contemporary art, don't bother. It's like going to Portillo's if you don't like hot dogs. Come on people, don't waste your time or ours.
You may not like all the art, you may like none of the art, some of the 'art' will go right over your head, I refuse to believe everyone loves all of the art... but that's the point. This museum gives you the opportunity to see a vast array of contemporary artists and works and make your mind up for yourself.
The space is very well laid out; the current Olafur Eliasson exhibition fits the ground floor it inhabits very well and was for the most part great. There is also a large painting floor, a gallery of new additions (I was not a fan of these, I'm not sure what direction the museum is going in but I do hope they don't replace many current items with those!) and a small photography gallery. The large-scale installations on the ground floor are the crowd-pullers but once you're in, you can't help but spend a good portion of time here.
I liked that they gave local artists a chance to show their work, making it a unique museum to go to.
It's closed on Mondays - more fool me for turning up on, you guessed it, Labor Day - but free on Tuesdays and open until 8m. Until 22 September on those evenings, the back patio has jazz and a local food buffet which looked lovely.
It also has hands down the best museum shop of any, ever, anywhere. We spent almost as long ogling obscure Japanese toys, entertaining greetings cards and Alessi kitchen gadgets as we did wandering the museum.
Wonderful part of Chicago.
This museum truly is a gem and I am so grateful to have it here in the city. I absolutely love contemporary art. As opposed to the modern art collections available at many art museums, MCA has a collection that is constantly changing, as well as exhibits filled with pieces that stray far from your typical painting or sculpture. Where else can you go and see a fan pendulum or a circular wall lit with richly hued lights and get to call it art? This is a great place to go if you want to see something different.
Some details about the museum:
- It has a small collection, easily browsed through in 2 hours or so
- Closed on Mondays but FREE on Tuesdays
- Free guided tours given every day, several times a day
- "First Friday" event every month, 6-10 pm the first Friday of each month (hence the name) with cash bar, free Puck appetizers, a DJ or other entertainment, and a preview of a new collection. Tickets can be purchased at http://MCAchicago.org.
Have you ever gone looking for one thing and find another pleasant thing without effort? I'd call it a psychic lagniappe.
For those of us familiar with New Orleans and its culture, the term "lagniappe" needs no explanation. It means a little something extra, usually connected to a purchase. I love the term since it adds a complexity that the word "bonus" just doesn't have.
Visiting the well-laid out modern museum two Fridays ago, I went to see the Buckminster Fuller temporary exhibit since this multi-dimensional man and his brain defy being categorized neatly. If I had to tie him to a pop culture reference, I'd call him the Cosmo Kramer (from Seinfeld) of his time. Wacky, non-linear, slightly offbeat, unique yet with a good heart would describe both Kramer and Fuller.*
Fuller received a US patent for the geodesic dome - a remarkable engineering design that was strong for its weight, stable, and enclosed the greatest volume with the least surface area. He designed a geodesic dome for the US pavilion at the 1967 Montreal Expo.
While that was his most popular idea, he also kept a personal diary for decades and recorded his activities at 15-minute intervals. And, I thought I was a freak for making a grocery list every week. Being an environmental activist before it was in fashion, Fuller focused a lot of his attention to doing "more with less": his interest in architecture was driven by the idea if the world's populace could be housed in vertical densities, then more land would be available for agricultural use.
In any case, the man was a fascinating layered onion of many interests. It is a fine line between crackpot and visionary and, as luck would have it, he edged into the visionary section.
Oh, the lagniappe: I discovered that a temporary exhibit of Alexander Calder's works is also on display. Calder is primarily known for his whimsical colorful mobiles but also created sculpture and drawings.
Adult admission is $12. Fuller exhibit extended through 5 July 2009. Calder exhibit to 14 Feb 2010.
An excellent bargain to check out Fuller's work and thoughts, the remarkable Calder works, or even if you wanted to stroll through their garden that allows a view of Lake Michigan. The museum is right off of the Magnificent Mile so if you wanted to shop for some togs to go with your art, you'd be set.
* Writing about art is difficult to make witty so I don't have anything better than Cosmo Kramer. Sorry, I'll try harder with the next review. Unless, it is about art. Then, all bets are off.
Nice collection of contemporary arts. It's really the only one around town. Plus, this place has z'best museum gift shop ever! Tons of really cool and unique items for sales. Be sure to check upstairs in addition to the ground floow. Really cool. For those who knows what Dunnys are, they carry the general selection here as well.
If you're looking for art besides still paintings and sculptures, and something that is more interactive and taunts your perception, MOA is for you. I'm a fan of art work that is illusionary and challenges your neurosensory processing. I get quite bored at conventional art museums if I don't do my homework and read up on the history and story behind the artists. The current exhibit by Olafur Elliason is just mind bendingly awesome.
Free on Tues. Free for Bank of America cardholders on Sat 10-5pm
Great museum. I took a group of art HS students and we were definitely not disappointed. The education docents were excellent. My only issue is that it was a little small especially with the main floor installation closed.
Depends on your preference, for me, I like modern and the "odd" things, so this is my favorite museum.
It's not too big of a place like the Art Institute where you cannot finished the whole place in one visit, The exhibits is always nicely edited.
It'll open up your eyes, perspective, senses.....
So many lovely snippets to share...
+ A truly beautiful building. They rent it out for weddings. People wouldn't get married here if it wasn't lovely, right?
+ Such a fun gift shop (both upstairs and down). This is a good place to buy fun gifts for people (with the proceeds going to such a great cause!).
+ First Fridays. The first Friday of every month there is a special program with drinks, appetizers, and mingling. There's usually some focus on the boy-meets-girl element (and how cool would it be to say you'd met your significant other at the Museum of Contemporary Art?).
+ The collection of Calders. Be still, my Calder-loving heart.
Came here specifically for the Buckminster Fuller exhibit and was very pleased. Great space, great displays of his work, and the museum is perfectly sized so that your interests always stay piqued and not overwhelmed by numerous exhibits.
I loved the orange hallway by Olaur Ellasson. I'm still fascinated with its effects.
A great way to spend $12.
I should have reviewed the MCA looong ago. Over two years ago actually. The art can be spectular, can be entertaining (Michael Jackson with "Bubbles" the monkey...), can be dirty (borderline porn actually)... can be completely ridiculous... but modern art can encapsulate any of that. The MCA has a varying, rotating and eclectic collection.
And in addition to the great, though small, collection, the MCA hosts "First Fridays." 'What is this "First Fridays?"' you might ask. And "why should I spend my Friday at a museum?" Well it's basically a smorgasbord of young, mostly professionals, or at least fairly well educated singles. Hundreds of singles! The entrance is kind of steep at $16, and the drinks small, but it's really fun. There's always some snack foods too. I've been several times, and though I'm no longer single (thank you MCA First Fridays circa 2007), it's still a great time to spend with friends, make new friends, appreciate art, and ummm drink booze :)
"Is that it?" I heard that said a few times by others as we were walking around this museum today. Beautiful building and yes a cool stairway. I really was hoping for more.
Then my friend turned to me and asked, "is that it?" as she looked around the corner and we saw there was nothing there.
Most of my reviews are longer, because there is something to review. However, this is it.
I hate giving MCA such a low score. I love the building and it's in my childhood neighborhood, but the exhibits are horrendous. This is not art. This is my high school art class. And I'm a big fan of modern and contemporary art so I'm sold on the concept.
It's so sad because the old MCA seemed like it had so much more than this "new and improved" version. And by "old MCA" I'm talking about the one from the early 80s. Yes, I'm old school.
this is the first museum I've been to in Chicago. While sometimes over my head, the exhibits were interesting, and little interactive. Didn't get the piece of material tacked on the wall (that was the over my head part), but enjoyed the layout of museum, as well as the gift shop. There's a Wolfgang Puck joint on premise, which provides the food, which was meh, but convenient nonetheless. Not a bad way to spend an afternoon.
Everyone just comes here to make out.
First Fridays.
Guilty as charged....
*nommmmmmmmmmmmmmmm*
(yes, written whilst drunk...what selse is new?)
This museum reminds me of a museum in Los Angeles called Getty, not because of what is inside, but how well the structure itself matches what is inside so well. The building itself is a piece of artwork, and the experience of waking up and going in makes you feel like you are part of it. If you do a little research on the website, you can find ways to save money off the admission price, and get a better detail of when to go and when not to go. Skipping out of work on certain weekdays will give you a more enjoyable experience rather than wading through huge crowds, unless people watching is what you are going for :)
Free on Tuesdays! Is there any other day to go? I love the MCA. I try to visit each time they feature a new exhibit, and I'm rarely disappointed. The main level is used for the bigger exhibit, and I've seen the curators do some very creative things with the space. The second and third floors feature some things from their permanent collection and some rotating exhibits. Working at a steady pace, you can see it all in 1.5 - 2 hours, which isn't too overwhelming. There's a café on the main floor with a nice outdoor patio, and a gift shop with some fun, unique, albeit overpriced books, toys, and décor. Be sure to visit the koi in the little tank on the ground floor. In the summer months, there's a farmer's market in front of the main entrance on Tuesdays. The Rock and Roll exhibit, Jeff Koons, Buckminster Fuller, Olafur Eliasson... I've seen some truly fun art pass through here.
Every time i have company in town that I know would enjoy the experience of an art museum I take them to the MCA.
They always have the neatest exhibits around and you never know quite what to expect each time you go there. Some of the art here edges on the line of pornography but that is fine in my book. Not a kiddie museum by any stretch of the imagination.
Great architecturally as well as the stairway is a leaf design and the fish pond at the bottom is beautiful to view as well.
If you live in Chicago don't forget about the free museum passes from the Library!
This is one of my favorite places in the world! Whether I am the checking out the latest exhibit or watching a performance, the MCA always has something to keep me interested. They always have top notch performers like Maya Beiser who performed the music for M. Night Shyamalan's "The Happening" or Philip Glass. It is a wonderful place to go to view great modern art whether you are a fan or not.
I really want to see the current Jenny Holzer show here, but I'm scared.
Scared because the art here is so BAD and haphazardly done. There's nothing that really sends me into a frenzy of art love. Also, local artists are shamefully underrepresented - where's the love for Chicago artists, of which we have, oh, more than a FEW great ones who live here!
I've gone to several fantastic world music events here, and I like drinking wine on the terrace in the summer. Maybe they should change the name to Museum for Contemporary Music Events, and Oh, We Have Art, Too.
First Fridays? Forget it if you're over 20something and past your post-college-rut hookup days. Bad food too, for a not-so-cheap ticket price.
I love the building, and this could be such a great resource for the city, but it needs new curators, or . . . . something.
Going to this museum is like hitting up a garage sale. You're hoping to find something worthwhile amongst someone else's trash. And most of the time, you don't.
I don't know who the curator is here, but they aren't very good. The main collection is underwhelming. Walking through the museum I didn't feel like any of the work was that significant or thoughtful. I have always believed you can't objectively qualify art, but I think at the very least art that gets put on public display should generate some sort of viewer reaction. As I walked around the halls of the MCA, no one was saying anything. No shock, no smiles, no arguments. You could feel the vacuum of stale air. That is not something I am used to experiencing at a contemporary art museum.
Yelp says two stars means "Meh. I've experienced better." Pretty much sums it up. Sad too, given this is Chicago and we're supposed to be a world class city.
*I will say the Jeff Koons exhibit was intriguing and worth seeing (especially on a free Tuesday). But since it is not permanent, it doesn't feel right to use it for the star ranking.
While small for the size of Chicago, and frumpish on the outside, always a high quality experience with fascinating exhibits. Today went to the Buckminster Fuller exhibit, which was both educational and awe inspiring; watching Bucky work magic with geometrical figures was breathtaking. Always interesting to get even slightly inside such an amazing mind. Got a good taste of Olafur Eliasson, who I am now forgiving after his NYC waterfalls were turned off the day I made my pilgrimage. Nice performance art of people dressed as sheep being shaved, standing in milk. Really want to go to the First Fridays someday.
My feelings on the MCA have changed over time. I find it depends a lot on who they have on display. A lot of the pieces don't do much for me, but then again, art is relative. I loved the Jenny Holzer exhibit they had out recently but wasn't too impressed by Jeff Koons.
I love the free Tuesdays thanks to Target. It's a cool space and a nice place to people watch at the very least. I do miss the huge oyster shell they used to have out as it was one of the few pieces of art you could enjoy in a tactile way. Perhaps it will come back out again someday.
First Fridays when the weather is warm enough to be out on the patio is one of Chicago's finest.
Inside, there's a DJ stationed on the 2nd Floor, with a drink station right underneath him, and the music nicely reverberating throughout the halls, while you enjoy the exhibits on display.
Outside, it feels like you're stepping into a totally different party, as people enjoy the weather on the patio, with pretzel and chicken appetizers, and another drink station, and the VIP Macy's section.
I am a firm believer that beauty is held by the beholder. What I see as art can (and most likely) will be different from the next person. Contemporary art is always the most critiqued and misunderstood. I have a minor in art history and have always tried to seen the deeper meanings and individualistic styles of each piece and artist. The MCA is a great place to just walk around and the Olafur exhibition is outstanding. My every sense was consumed by his manipulation of color, depth, and light. This is a great place for families, dates, or friends just looking for something to do. Espec on Tuesdays when its free and open late! Great museum.
Art gets me off, figuratively. Jeff Koons, on the other hand...he can turn a Mylar balloon into one sexy shiny object! The Koons is only around for ten more days and is a must see. Not for prudish ones, the exhibit is very sexually explicit at times. I will say I learned something, and you can't always say that about art: Koons' art is about self-acceptance and the path to it. And he's gone to great lengths outing his deepest desires to release demons and embrace them as well. What he does for everyday objects and Mylar balloon animals is what Georgia O'Keefe did to flowers: enlarges them and makes us really examine an object.
Since I went on a Tuesday it was FREE, thank you Target! Tuesdays on the Terrace also brings free live jazz and my very good friend Greg Ward was leading his quartet, while on the lower terrace we were able to sample wines. How much more free stuff can you give us MCA? Also a great exhibit right now is the Hairy Who School from Chicago c.1968, which inspired Koons. Great pieces by Jim Nutt, Ed Pashke, and others round out this separate exhibit, worthy in its own right.
Besides these current exhibits the MCA houses a great contemporary collection and shows much of it even during special exhibits. I already have my eye on a concert/happening in 2009! MCA, you've done right by Chicago.
Somewhat hidden a bit off of Michigan and behind the Water Tower, the MCA is pretty cool. Chicago is never really at a loss for civic culture and the MCA's plays a nice counterpoint to the Art Institute's collection (and well all the other art museums in this town). I actually made it over here for one of their infamous "First Friday" events. Yes it is a bit of a meat market, filled with the "be seen" types. Now the UR Chicago is gone, who will take their pictures? Anyway beyond the people, the 1st friday is actually a pretty cool place to be around 6-7pm, before the crowd rolls in. The space is very cool and the back patio is nice to be at in the summer. The buffet spread is pretty cool too, chicken wings, brownies, pretzels w/ cheese. Not bad.
Free parking is available on Chicago after 6pm, if you get there around 5:40 don't think yourself safe, the cops roll in about 5:45 and go on huge ticket spree. So either sit in your car till 6 pm or cruise around the block a couple times.
I love, love, love, love the MCA! I only wish it was a bit larger and they had more social events with modern music, like LA's LACMA.
My favorite memory here happened last summer when my cousin and I were checking out the Jeff Koons exhibit and we saw this little girl coming out of a corridor and crying.
"Cousin, why ever do you think that little girl was weeping so?" I asked.
Then we turned the corner, and saw why.
It was a giant photograph/projection closeup of Jeff's penis entering his wife(former porn star and Italian Senator)'s vagina, with gratuitous focus paid towards her anus. I believe the installation was titled 'Olio's Anus'.
To this day, sometimes I'll be brushing my teeth in the morning and remember that confused little girl's bawling... and laugh and laugh and laugh...
Played hooky from work to go see the Jeff Koon's exhibit and get cocktails afterward.
I have one complaint: several of the sculptures were set up in the middle of the room. The placards indicating the work and materials used were all on the wall, behind and far from the works they described.
Their rock exhibit this fall was one of my favorite exhibits I've seen. The technology exhibit from fall '06 was one of the least favorite I've seen. I don't think the inner workings of the Segway are art. At least not until Jeff Koons sticks them on a light fixture.
Oh contemporary art. I love and detest you at times but you are always so fun!!
I was first drawn to the MCA late December '07 when I heard about the 'Sympathy for the Devil' exhibit.
It was so well put together, bright and thought-provoking that I went twice in a week! That was my favorite exhibit by far.
I went again for the Jeff Koons exhibit. It was absurd and awesome at the same time. The way he blew up objects made me rethink each form of the object. All his pieces were certainly conversation-starters!
The MCA's own collection of work is equally fascinating mixing many diverse styles and is always worth a stroll around.
Alexander Calder's mobiles have a certain bare charm to them too.
Targets' Tuesdays are a god send and its always a pleasure to see the donation box is well used on those days too.
Bonus points for the interesting gift shop and the yummy food from Wolfgang Puck's full service restaurant and counter service.
Bottom line is: there's something for everyone from the serious artist right down to the casual off chance tourist.
Can't wait to see how the next exhibit turns out!!
Beautiful space. There's free live jazz Tuesday evenings June-September. Tuesdays on the Terrace is absolutely fantastic!! I love it and will continue to support the museum because they sponsor wonderful events open to the public.
Holy Asshole! Came (no pun intended) to the MCA on Tuesday (free day) to see the Jeff Koons exhibit. I've got the impression that, like most contemporary art museums, the temporary exhibit is better than whatever is on display from the permanent collection.
The entrance to the second room of the impressive Koons exhibit displayed a sign warning visitors about the graphic content of some of the art.
Pffft, oh look, there's a giant print with a naked chick on it (Heather Kozar, PMOTY 1999 if you're interested). Avert your eyes, kiddies!
No big deal. Right?
Then I walked around the corner of the false fourth wall and discovered some uncomfortable visitors looking for a quick escape from the hallway of giant pornographic screen prints. It's hard (no pun intended) to do the typical pensive, chin-scratching museum stare when you're looking at a blow-up of Ilona's Asshole.
Juvenile joking aside, I really enjoyed the exhibit, a lot more than the displays on the other floors of the MCA. I probably wouldn't pay full-price to visit this museum, but Tuesday free days are a great deal.
This place makes my perfect Tuesday when I decide to play hooky on a gorgeous day! The museum is free, plus there's a farmer's market going on outside. I saw the Koons exhibit not too long ago. It was really neat although I felt it could have used more info on him. Also, the catalog had a lot of pictures and very little information. But that's my preference on what I want. The exhibit was fun and quirky as it should be and I'm glad I got to see. I almost missed the naughty area in the back being distracted by the headless lady in the bathtub.
The permanent collection was okay. Liked the Calder's a lot. Some of the interactive ones were neat. Contemporary art is very hit or miss and the MCA usually has both - in my case last month it was a lot of hit and I was happy to see that. And then the store! Well that's a whole other review but I can't wait to do my Christmas shopping in all the wonderful stores that are in the museums here in Chicago!
After living in Chicago for over a year I finally made my frist trip to the MCA, or as the cool kids call it MOCA. For the past few months I have seen advertisements plastered all over the city for the Jeff Koons exhibit, and I had to say I was intrigued. So, knowing that the end was near I rushed over to the exhibit last night with a friend of mine from work.
Now, I have to say that I thought the exhibit was really cool. I loved the aluminum art work, as well as the pop art strewn throughout. I had some problems with the floatation devices but overall I thought the exhibit was extremely stimulating...especially the erotic pictures! His erotic screen shots on oil canvas looked like vintage porn posters, feautring Jeff Koons and his wife the porn star Ilona. I thoguht it was great watching people as they came across these photographs...especially those on their first date.
The great thing about this place is that it is free on Tuesdays (Thanks to Target!) Also during the summer months they feature a live jazz night on their terrace, as well as a dining buffet featuring flavors from the farmer's market. I'm looking forward to spending more Tuesday nights there next summer!
I'm a fan of any art, and I believe that just about anything CAN be art, so I don't agree with anyone who says that there is no art there. It is not typical art, and that is what was so surprising and enjoyable when I visited as a tourist. I wish I had more time to look around in the spacious exhibits. Some of which made my head spin! It's worth visiting, so check it out!
I hesitate to categorize myself as a huge fan of art. I've always been more interested in analyzing printed word over painted canvas or sculpted clay. However, thanks to my mother and a liberal arts major curriculum, I can appreciate a good piece of work when I see it on display.
On sunny weekend days there are few things more zen inducing than hopping the Red line down to Chicago Ave, walking over to Streeterville, and spending a quiet afternoon at the MCA. I made the trip this weekend, and as always the exhibits were thought provoking, and well displayed. As another reviewer mentioned, the headphones are worth the $3. This was my first visit without an accompanying guest and in the absence of someone to share opinions I found that it provided prospectives that I wouldn't have normally examined. If you can't convince a buddy to come with you, you can buy one for $3!
I can't be as critical as other reviewers on artist and piece selection as I am at most a casual fan. I can however say that for someone who isn't a connoisseur of viewing art, the MCA is an enjoyable experience. The staff is friendly, and the facility is well kept. I think the trademark of any good museum is its ability to draw a person in that otherwise wouldn't have been drawn to their exhibits.
Bonus points because I received 1/2 off my admission. With my baseball hat, tank top and flip flops, the staff mistook me for a college student. Baby faces rejoice!
