Surrealists and Selfies

If you're in downtown Chicago, you should visit Cloud Gate, nicknamed "The Bean." It's a sculpture in Millennium Park by Indian-born British artist Anish Kapoor. Its shiny surface reflects and distorts the city's skyline, making it a popular attraction. Walk around and under it, and see how your body becomes warped and distorted against the background of the sky. Get creative, take a surreal selfie and share your favorite snapshots online with our Teen Chicago Travel Guide.

In the 1920s, a group of artists created a movement called surrealism that often featured distorted and strange images, similar to those created by Cloud Gate. Find out more about surrealism with the following titles.

Known for his ethereal and dreamlike pieces, Marc Chagall is an artist not to be missed. The Art Institute of Chicago houses many of his works, including the large-scale stained glass piece America Windows. Find out more about him in Chagall.

An amazing combination of text and paintings, The Diary of Frida Kahlo is sure to inspire any artist. Kahlo is renowned for her self-portraits featuring deep emotions and her distinctive eyebrows.

We don't often hear about woman surrealists, so check out In Wonderland, a collection of amazing artists like Remedios Varo, Leonora Carrington, Dorothea Tanning and more.

For more information about the great surrealists, take a look at this booklist, and be sure to share your exploration of surreal art in Chicago in our Teen Chicago Travel Guide!