By Eva Feld
In Chicago, autumn takes its time to fade the
leaves, to wither the flowers to replace the summer heat with the uncertainty
and the folly of rainy days, so it often starts early. Its skyline, lake and river are laid up in
such a manner that no matter how harsh the weather may become, they are always a
delight, especially in September.
The Trump Building may suddenly rise up to the clouds
right in front of your eyes, or a rainbow can appear for just a second to catch
your attention in the midst of doing a million things. This year, there is an
extraordinary exhibit of Magritte at the Art Museum. Under a suggestive title,
“The Mystery of the Ordinary,” the curator chose twelve particular years (1926
- 1938) of the painter’s work to reveal certain aspects of his art.
The visitors are strongly encouraged to take a deep
look through his surrealistic vision; one in which misleading objects and
models disclose a senseless world. He claims the value of the image at a time
when the words had become weak, deceitful and dishonest. Nevertheless he took
time and dedication, with abundant and wordy explanations to justify his
thoughts and aims. Samples of his handwritten ideas are carefully displayed to
further charm the avid admirers.
Chicago’s Millennium Park is always there to wander
and contemplate the mysteries of many forms of art and nature. In September, the
city is particularly rich in providing excellent music, a dance festival and
tours through the gardens. On its magnificent scenario, performers from all
over the world have come to fascinate audiences from everywhere. People gather
there to experiment osmosis to bloom with enhanced vitality.
Chicago seems more cosmopolitan in autumn. Its
weather is milder than during its tough and windy winters, hot and humid
summers or rainy springs. Besides a large network of art, science and
industrial museums, its zoo, aquarium or the Navy Pier that are always there,
September offers the golden reflection of its waters and the silvery shine of
its buildings
If it happens to be a Tuesday in September, The
Modern Art Museum offers a fantastic jazz presentation on top of their
permanent and incidental exhibits. This year, Frieda Kahlo’s two paintings are
on display in a rather circumstantial context concerning her influence on
transgender artists and her standup position against all forms of gender
discrimination. The exposition also offers a great chance to discover Iran’s film
director Shirim Neshat and singer Sussan Deyhim through a video that reveals their extreme talents.
As any other month of the year, September is a good
time to taste something new and exciting. Whoever believes that American food
consists only in hamburgers, ribs, coleslaw and hotdogs, should stop at Hoyt’s
at 71 East Wacker Drive to taste their sea bass and for dessert, goat cheese pie
with pickled blueberries and olive oil. For true Spanish
tapas, Mercat a la planxa at 638 S.
Michigan Ave.
Before touring the southern neighborhoods of Chicago
including a peek at Barack Obama’s home, stop at the Iarcas gallery (just a
couple of blocks away from the tapas), owned by the Rumanian artist Costel
Iarcas. He may be willing to talk about his numerous and diverse paintings as
he thrives in a very competitive world.
There is so much to do in Chicago, especially in
September. I am already looking forward to going back as soon as autumn starts
fading the leaves and withering the flowers next year!
Cincinnati, Sept 2014.
