Now Playing in Chicago: The Silk Road

Until October of 2007 The Art Institute of Chicago will be featuring the Silk Road Project, sponsored by the Art Institute in collaboration with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs.

The exhibit features many of the prominent pieces from the Art Institutes current collection as well as some donated pieces, and others that are on lend for the exhibition.


The Silk Road Project explores the trade of the Silk Road in a traditional sense, but more so as a cross-cultural exploration of trade right here in Chicago.  The exhibit seeks to show that Chicago is renowned as a long-time meeting place from people all across the globe.

The Exhibit itself is not only about the pieces of art, but more so about the special exhibitions that will be presented; performances, educational, and collaborative programs.

The culmination of The Silk Road will be the weeklong residency of Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road Ensemble from April 9-15, 2007.

Also in April of 2007, a special issue of Museum Studies, the Art Institute’s journal will be published along with the exhibition.  This special issue will feature an introduction to the historical Silk Road, a conversation between the director of the Art Institute James Cuno and the acclaimed cellist Yo-Yo Ma.

When I went to see the Silk Road I was impressed with the various objects and artifacts that the museum has on display.  My personal favorite was a sculpture of the Bodhisattva of Compassion, made from wood, lacquer, and gilding.  The sculpture originated from Japan’s Kamakura period, c. 1250-1330.  
 

After passing through one of the main walkways and galleries of The Silk Road exhibition, you enter into the museums medieval collection.  This collection has long been featured in the museums collections, but ties into the history of the Silk Road quite well.  Just walking amongst the suits of armor, the swords, and the early medieval sculpture is always a treat.  If you have never been in this hall of the Art Institute, I highly recommend it. 

Other parts to the current exhibition installment are the Renaissance Europe and the Ottoman Empire, Eugéne Delacroix and North Africa, and beginning January 2 Western Viewers, Eastern Subjects: Scenes of Empire from the Illustrated Plate Books in The Mrs. James Ward Thorne Collection.


One Thursday every month, distinguished scholars will present their research and discuss topics in Fullerton Hall.  Upcoming discussions are as follows:

January 11; Intercultural Studies, The Silk Road and the Arts of Dunhuang, by Sarah E. Fraser, Northwestern University

February 8; Along and Beyond the Silk Road: Diverse Sources and Influences in Muslim Art and Architecture, by Ori Z. Soltes, Georgetown University

March 8; Persian Pearls in Tibetan Tiaras: Kingship, Buddhism, and the Representation of Luxury Objects in Early Western Tibetan Art, by Rob Linrothe, Skidmore College

April 12; On Hybridity and Culture, James Cuno, The art Institute of Chicago

May 10; Byzantium and Points East, Robert Nelson, Yale University

Also featured, as a part of the exhibit the museum will host various seminars, Art Plus Programs, Family Events and more.  There will also be teacher and student workshop and tours available at various times until the exhibit closes in October 2007.

For more information on any of the offerings at The Art Institute of Chicago you can visit www.artic.edu and for further details on The Silk Road exhibit you can visit www.artic.edu/aic/exhibitions/silkroad.