Chicago: City of Design

Well i really couldn't put it any other way. Chicago is probably the most unbelievably modern and artistic city i have ever seen. It is the capital of everything that is art and design. Large-scale sculptures overwhelm the city streets, parks and public areas exist in every district, Frank Gehry structures are ubiquitous, art collections are world-class, and getting lost is difficult in a place where EVERYBODY is helpful. Seriously, a must see for people who like art, occasionally think about liking art, are open to art or just enjoy a deep-dish pizza while watching the White Sox or the Chicago Cubs.

Architecture:

Frank Gehry's "Pritzer Pavillion"

Frank Gehry's "BP Bridge"

Lake Point Tower

Highrise office building 333 Wacker Drive

Carbide and Carbon building was constructed during the Prohibition in 1929, mimicking a champagne bottle... how ironic!

See that glass cube? Yep, that's a gym.

A city within a city; Marina City I & II

Trump Tower Chicago; US 2nd biggest building 2009

Design:

Art Institute in Millenium Park

Art Institute light installation

Furniture Design (Art Institute)

Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec Design 2009 (Art Institute)

Sol Sender's original logo designs for Obama's 2008 Electoral Campaign (Art Institute)

Louis Kahn's Fort Wayne Arts Centre: Site Plan Sketch, 1963

Bruce Alonzo Goff's National Bank of Independence (Missouri) sketch, 1970

And the coolest part? Because there are so many communal spaces that allow for public interaction, you'll find that people are very friendly. They won't just point you in the right direction. No, they will offer their help, before walking you directly to your destination. Liza and I were assisted by people from all demographics... businessmen with briefcases, mothers with babies, police officers, bus drivers... no matter what people were doing, they were more than happy to show foreigners around their beloved city. The absolutely gorgeous architecture and picturesque gardens i guess nurture this sharing and hospitable environment, which is a very rare quality in a city.

Frank Ghery's "Bean" sculpture