May 18 ‘magic dust made him walk the plank…of matrimony’

May 18th is International Museum Day. The International Council of Museums have promoted this day since 1977. I have a few books, and a few stories that connect with today, and I didn’t even have to use my local museum pass that is constantly shown with my grandkids. In fact, I used someone elses.

A couple of months ago in March, a group of five-my best friend, his daughter (several months younger than my granddaugher), my granddaughter, and her boyfriend, went to the Art Institute of Chicago. It is a wonderful museum (since 1879), just check out their Arms and Armor wing. We had individual tickets, but at the counter, we were informed if one of us bought a season pass, we could all still get in; it would be cheaper; and we could get a lunch/ drink at a member’s only room. The season pass was bought…by my best friend.

We first went into the wing looking at 19th century paintings, seeing Van Gogh’s “Self Portrait”, “Night Hawk” by Edward Hopper, Paul Gauguin works, Édourd Manet, Claude Monet, the traveling Picasso exibit, and so much more.

I bought a book there, to remind me of those paintings, “Treasures of the Art Institute of Chicago. Paintings from the 19th Century to the Present”, by James Rondeau. It is a tiny book about four inches by four inches, and an inch thick, yet with 336 pages. It was printed as a ‘Tiny Folio’. I since then bought another ‘Tiny Folio’ book, when I looked if there were more.

This one was “Antonio Gaudi, Master Architect” by Juan Bassegoda. I saw (with same best friend, our wives, and another couple) some wonderful architectual works by Gaudi when went to Barcelona last fall, including Parc Güell, Palau de la Música, and of course The Sagrada Familia, inside and out, with a trip up the Nativity tower.

But back to The Art Institute. After wandering on our own for a while, we took a tour into the African Art wing. The guide was rather excited about certain areas in the wing that he knew a great deal about, and perhaps a little less so for some real indepth all over questioning, but question we did. And a lead questioner was my granddaughter’s boyfriend. While only a freshman in college, he was asking wonderful questions. Some got answered, and others were given directions for further information.

Some questions were directed to the book “Speaking of Objects, African Art at the Art Institute of Chicago”, edited by Constantine Petridis. So I bought the book. Read a little more about few things we discussed: First, Imazghen jewelry including silver, red glass, enamel-head dress and earrings; and silver Quŕ an box pendant, both with unusual silver designs; and second (tour guide’s favorite item in hall), an Órúnmìlà circular wooden Divination Tray, with carved cowry shells. The diviner would make markings in wood-dust in center of tray and then dicipher from one of 256 verses to advise. It was an interesting tour.

Then we took a break in the members-only room. We had five in our group, and asked if we could sit at the end of a table that had a couple at the other end. We struck up a conversation. The Lady was Gretchen Buggeln, a PhD from Yale, and a professor of Art History and Humanities at Valparaiso University. She was doing one of her college field trips with students. Had a wonderful time listening to her.

I bought several of her books when I got home, one is “Religion In Museums, Global and Multidisciplinary Persectives”, 2017; and the other “The Suburban Church, Modernism and Community in Postwar America”, 2015. I plan on taking her “Religion in Museums” book to the President of Riverfront Museum in Peoria to discuss.

She also gave us suggestion where to visit after the Art Institute. She pointed out a window, and said to visit the top floor of the Chicago Athletic Association building. “It has great views.”

We did. We could look over the Bean, the Art Institute, and Lake Michigan. It was stunning.

We also witnessed Chicago-henge, the Spring Equinox sunset on Monroe street. All because of visiting a museum. This was a great day.

Speaking of Equinox, if one follows astrology, May 18 is the luckiest day of the year. There is a Jupiter cazimi, a conjunction with the sun. I already knew this is a very lucky day. It is when my best friend celebrates 28 years of marriage. I gave a wedding toast to the couple, about leaving Neverland and growing up. I was wrong. They have made a new ‘happily ever after’ life, merely acting grown up. Happy anniversary Rob and Shawn.

Thanks for reading.