07/16/09

Not to shabby

by PacinoFan

I'm gonna be incredibly unpopular here and give this museum a 3 star review. I realize it's a culturally significant building and the works of art that they store are rare and controversial and exciting and incredibly valuable....but...this place is sooooo big and it's in a city filled with broke unemployed artists who have shelves of art they want to show and no where to put it in. How can a city with sooooo many artists have a contemporary art gallery with sooooo few exhibits.

If they would just use the space the architect gave them, this place would have a lot more to look at.

• Pros: Famous art gallery
• Cons: Kind of ...empty

09/02/08

Museum by day, Party by night

by jen1971

Where else could you check out art and mingle at the same time? Every first Friday of the month, this museum offers a chance to look at the art while socializing, eating and drinking. It's a great concept. They are conveniently located on the Magnificent Mile. I highly recommend this museum especially for First Fridays!

09/02/08

Jeff Koons

by bethylou10

My favorite museum in Chicago, hands down. The constantly rotating exhibits are always thought provoking, easy to navigate, and not at all daunting. The current exhibit highlights Chicago favorite, Jeff Koons. The MCA does a great job of highlighting his works and influences throughout his career.

First Fridays are always fun events, too, and great for networking.

07/13/08

Jeff Koons Exhibit is Spectacular

by HeyNowLDT

I recently went to the Jeff Koons exhibit & I was thoroughly impressed. It's a vast collection from throughout his career. The museum is beautiful, in and of itself, but I love the art within. I was also fascinated by the wonderful collection of Alexander Calder mobiles on the top floor. Tuesdays are free, and I can't think of a better value for your buck than great art for free!

• Pros: Free Tuesdays, Contemporary Art

Ornate hotel ballrooms not your style? Try this contemporary art museum on for size.

by Contributor

The Space
Your reception can be as contemporary as the artwork hanging on the walls, and as classy as the interior design suggests. Stark white walls, gray floors, silver accents, tall atrium ceiling and modern architecture are a minimalist's dream come true. Trendy, upscale, funky and clean, the atrium, lobby and cafe open up into a sculpture garden and offer spectacular views of the lakefront and downtown.

The Details
The second floor, which includes the lobby, atrium and Puck's at the MCA, seats a maximum of 300 people for dinner and dancing. If you have more or prefer an outdoor reception, you can tent the terrace or sculpture garden for extra space-up to 500 seated in the garden tent. Wedding ceremonies (on a case-by-case basis) can also be held in the atrium, cafe, lobby or terrace, which is beautiful during the warmer months.

11/10/04

This modern art museum is contradictory, erratic, controversial, provocative, contentious and wonderful.

by Contributor

Overview
Solid and severe-looking, with an imposing exterior flight of steps, the building's design is, by most accounts, a missed opportunity. Inside, though, the space allows the MCA to dedicate one floor to its growing permanent collection while also having several larger and smaller gallery areas for its intriguing temporary exhibitions. The fourth floor offers spectacular views of the lake and downtown.

Features
The permanent collection of more than 6,000 works includes pieces by Rene Magritte, Andy Warhol and Jeff Koons, with a focus on Chicago-based artists, surrealism of the 1940s and 1950s, and 1960s minimalism. Recent exhibits have included Mies in America, Andreas Gurskey, "At the End of the Century: 100 Years of Architecture" and "Roy Lichtenstein: Interiors."

08/15/02

Beautiful space, great pieces

by jkf118

Although admission is a bit pricey, viewing the objects on display at the Museum of Contemporary Art is a great way to spend an afternoon. Since it is set back, off Michigan, it is supremely less crowded than the Art Institute, which allows visitors to spend more time looking at objects up close. In addition, the permanent collection is outstanding, a veritible who's-who in contemporary art. Lastly, the building itself is a work of art and farmer's markets outside in the summer are an added treat.

05/17/02

Underrated!

by jpanderson_citysearch

This is a great space for museum-lovers for several reasons. For one, it's a great place to see challenging, contemporary works by innovative artists. Also, it's a beautiful space, and it's never packed! Very conveniently located next to the Mag Mile.