Context

There was art everywhere we looked in Chicago, but I think my favorite places out of all the museums, galleries, public works, window displays, and street art, would probably be the public works and window displays. I love how they are a part of our daily lives and we constantly interact with them, without always thinking of them as art. The art viewing experience is completely different depending on the venue and I think the biggest reason for this is the assumed norms of our society on how one should act in each place. 

In a museum there is the expectation of seriousness, hushed tones, and intellectual contemplation. Our interaction with the work is limited to simply studying the works and definitely not touching. In all museums, but especially places like the Art Institute, the works of art are viewed as the most legitimate pieces by well known artists. Galleries have a similar feel, but much more laid back. It is still a standard for viewers to be considerate and respectful, but this venue "legitimizes" the work less, since it is most likely by less publicly acclaimed artists.  

The expectations of other venues like public works, street art, and window displays are completely different. Some public works, like Cloud Gate usually referred to as "The Bean," are used by many for high amounts of interaction. People take pictures in it, lay under it, and much more, and whether that was its intention or not, that is the public norm and therefor not looked down upon. Large works like this are assumed to be credible, even if the artist is unknown to the viewers, simply because of the fact that they were allowed to and a lot of times asked to display their art in such a public area. Window displays are much less credible and often times overlooked because they are such a typical occurrence that could be created by anyone. Yet, their creative elements are such an important key to bringing people into a store. Lastly, street art is given very little credibility and not viewed as seriously as museum works, but is most often respected.