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First of all - the Art Institute in Chicago is a fantastic place.
When we were there, on a Thursday evening in late July, we got in for free and we saw some of the greatest artwork in human history.
I did get a total kick out of watching people experience art - particularly Gustave Caillebotte's Paris Street; Rainy Day and Georges Seurat's A Sunday on La Grand Jatte.
In an era where some museums and lots of folks in authority frown on photography in public spaces like this - kudos to the Art Institute for allowing it. Watching people with their cell phones and point-and-shoots interact with the art is a little surreal. Is this how we experience the masterpieces of Impressionism nowadays? Meta art? It seemed very important for some people to be photographed with the art - a "I was there" moment. There was a large crowd gathered around Van Gogh's self-portrait taking portraits of themselves. No one however removed their ears.
As a purist I refused to show you take any pictures of just the art. I'm drawing the line somewhere.
Aside: It seems like Thomas Hawk beat me to this concept in name by a good three years.