WANDER: Chicago
“Niki in the Garden” showcases French sculptor’s whimsical works
Profoundly influenced by Antoni Gaudi’s Park Guell in Barcelona, French-born sculptor Niki de Saint Phalle devoted most of her career to creating massive whimsical sculptures decorated with obsessively placed bits of stone, shell, glass, marble, mirror and tile. Although some of her best-known installations are in Europe (notably, the huge Tarot Garden in Tuscany, Italy, and the Stravinsky Fountain outside the Pompidou Center in Paris), 30 of her big pieces will hold court in the Garfield Park Conservatory and gardens in Chicago through Oct. 31. Glorious to behold, and big and sturdy enough that the kids are allowed to romp in and around some of them. Take the “El” Green Line to Conservatory; $5 suggested donation per adult. Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N. Central Park Ave.,
DINE: Seattle, Washington
The Dahlia Lounge delivers a one- two punch with inspired food, wines
The “lounge” in its name notwithstanding, this is a top-flight restaurant that pairs innovative Pacific Northwest fare with an intriguing wine list. The lunch and dinner menus change daily, but standouts include snapper escabeche, char-grilled octopus with red lentils, rotisserie Peking duck, and the ever-morphing vegetarian platter. A lovely space with dark red walls and Chinese lanterns, it’s a perfect spot to spend a drizzly Seattle afternoon. The Dahlia Lounge, 2001 Fourth Ave., 206-682-4142
SEE: New York, New York
“The Art of Forgiveness” features Prodigal Son in 56 pieces of art
The Museum of Biblical Art will offer “The Art of Forgiveness: Images of the Prodigal Son” Oct. 4-Feb. 17, with 56 works depicting the Prodigal Son. Artists from the mid-15th century to the present will be represented, including Rembrandt, James Tissot, Leon Golub and Duane Michals, and paintings, sculptures, prints, textiles and glass will be among the displays. Admission is $7. The Museum of Biblical Art, 1865 Broadway, 212-408-1500
– Denver Post staff and wire reports
