I went to sculpture park set in the campus of Governor's State University one of those extremely bright, crisp afternoons which was perfect for viewing the artwork. The whole experience is amazing--wandering through native prairie and coming up gigantic sculpture after gigantic sculpture. There must be at least 25 and plenty to amaze, confuse, and play with. It has a playground feel, each time you see a sculpture you want to run across the path and climb all over it. Really, this will happen to you.
This first picture is of Bruce Naumann's House Divided. One half of the house is filled in with concrete and the other half created sharp angles and stunning views as you walk through the eerie, abandonned space. Here's a beautiful view looking out at the prairie.
Many of the works were bought in the 70's by Manilow himself: a rejected condo installation, a giant coal lump of a spaceship (Flying Saucer, below), Calder-like steel cut-outs. I would argue that the newest pieces are more beguiling. Richard Rezac's Frames, c. 2005 (below), a tiled wall that both contrasts and complements the natural landscape, is impossible to resist, inviting you to explore and walk around. And the brand new installation by Icelandic artist, Steinunn Þórarinsdóttir, is fascinating and completely creepy. The figures are toeing the eerie line, too life-like to take your eyes off for fear they'll start walking around. A glass inset in each figure's breast glows like a heart when the sun hits it, which it did that day. I had to get out of there as quick as I could, but my friend was more fearless and took this video. It's hard to tell the real people from the sculpture. WhhoooOOOoooOO. It's definitely worth the trip and this installation is only on view through September of 2010 so don't delay too long!
The Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park is open all year round and accessible by the Metra. If you ask someone who works in the university, they'll even give you a map of the whole park. Nature, Naumann, nice folks: What more could you ask for?
No comments:
Post a Comment