Window Panes
[America Windows (1975-77) Marc Chagall, artist, Art Institute of Chicago /Image: designslinger]
When Marc Chagall visited Chicago in 1974 to oversee the unveiling of his mural mosaic Four Seasons, he met then mayor Richard J. Daley. Apparently the two hit it off, and the Mayor made such an impression on the world famous artist that when Chagall agreed to design an art piece made of stained-glass for the Art Institute, he decided to dedicate the work to his new friend.
[America Windows, panels 5 & 6, Art Institute of Chicago /Images: designslinger]
The museum had been in talks with the French-based painter about creating a piece in glass for a while. Chagall decided he would create the artwork as a tribute, and a thank you, to the United States which was celebrating its bicentennial in 1976. In 1941 when the Nazi's marched into France and Paris, the occupation put the Jewish artist's life in jeopardy. Alfred Barr who was running the Museum of Modern Art at the time, invited Chagall to New York with the intent that Chagall remain in the U.S. under this country's protection. He stayed in the U.S. until the war ended and soon after returned to France, where he lived for the remainder of his long life.
[America Windows, commemorating the American bicentennial in memory of Mayor Richard J. Daley, Arthur Rubloff Building, Art Institute of Chicago, /Image: designslinger]
The windows were created by Chagall with stained-glass master artist Charles Marc and sent to Chicago for installation in a museum gallery created specifically for the piece. The panels were unveiled on May 15, 1977 on what would have been Mayor Daley's 75th birthday. Chicago's longest serving mayor (up until the current mayor, his son Richard M.) had died the previous December of a massive heart attack. The 89-year-old artist was as shocked as the city's citizens when the seemingly healthy, 74-year-old Mayor collapsed and died. Chagall felt that America Windows should now be dedicated as a memorial to the man who had made such an impression on him in 1974, and not only on a personal level but also because of the instrumental role the Mayor had played in getting art into Chicago's public spaces.
For almost two decades sunlight streamed through the intense blue glass installed in the west window wall of McKinlock Court. Sitting at a the end of a "T" intersection created by a long corridor called Gunsaulus Hall, the windows presented themselves to you in a very dramatic and dynamic reveal as you headed down the long, dimly lit, gallery passageway. They were removed during the construction of the adjacent Modern Wing in 2005, cleaned, refurbished and reinstalled in the old eastern entryway of the museum's 1970s-era Rubloff Building. The re-dedicated windows were revealed in their new home a couple of weeks ago, and although the gallery is kind of claustrophobic feeling whereas the former space was open and airy, the panes of glass are as vibrant as ever - a beautiful tribute of thanks to a country, and to a mayor's memory.
See more of the museum at: A New Wing Takes Flight, Mrs. Palmer's Paintings, and Bachelor Benefactor.
Posted by designslinger at 12/16/2010 5:24 AM 
Categories: Art
Tags: art Marc Chagall Art Institute of Chicago stained glass
Categories: Art
Tags: art Marc Chagall Art Institute of Chicago stained glass
Nice observations, as usual. I can't help but lament the relocation of this work. Not only does it feel shoved off into a corner but it is also frames the viewers experience of the work by presenting it in the limited context of public works of art in Chicago. Is this supposed to be a history lesson? It seems like an odd set of curatorial choices from such a fine institution and for such a great masterpiece.
Not sure what they were thinking with this rejiggered, public-art-themed exhibit. Just know that the new presentation of the windows seems like an afterthought. Oops, we have to get the Chagall's back up - hm, where's an opening? And then the haphazard display of maquettes in the former bunker-like entryway.......the Picasso looked so great upstairs with the park as a backdrop...... Ugh.
I hope to see this one day despite the controversy.
They are really beautiful and worth a visit if you ever get the chance.