Terra goes to Church, sees the world

Fifty-two works are presented in a new exhibition at the TerraMuseum of American Art, "In Search of the Promised Land: Paintings byFrederic Edwin Church."

Church (1826-1900) "remains one of America's most esteemedlandscape painters," said Dr. Gerald Carr, the curator. The artistwas noted for highly detailed, large canvases of such exoticlocations as the Near East, the Arctic and the South Americantropics.

Subjects include waterfalls, icebergs, trees, mountains, sunsets,ships, meteors and the aurora borealis. Sometimes, Church wouldexhibit his works with a telescope-encouraging visitors to appreciatethe details.

Even as a boy, Church was acquiring an appreciation for thenatural sciences. The illustrations in a boyhood chemistry text showthe artist's doodlings in red and yellow-embellishing such principlesas combustion, incandescent gases and electrical charges.

Church's talent was in evidence while he was still quite young."His teacher, Cole-a man not readily impressed-said that Church, byhis 20th birthday, had `the finest eye for drawing in the world,' "said Carr.

Church was an explorer, too. "He dangerously got lost in aColombian jungle in 1853," Carr said. Scouting icebergs in 1859, heslipped and nearly fell into the frigid north Atlantic Ocean. Whilein Europe, Church wrote to a friend that "this Italian scenery islovely and full of sentiment. Yet Syria, with its barren mountainsand parched valleys, possesses the magic key which unlocks ourinnermost heart."

A monumental work on display, "Syria by the Sea," measures 4 1/2by 7 feet. The work "Niagara Falls" stretches out at 3 1/2 by 7 1/2feet. In the 1860s and '70s, the artist lent his prestige to apreservationist cause for Niagara Falls.

In addition to the large oil-on-canvas works, the exhibitioncovers a range of small pieces, which Church created as studies formajor works or as personal sketches.

The exhibition marks the 100th anniversary of Church's death. Theartworks have been borrowed from museums and private collections fromacross the nation.

The show runs through Oct. 1. The museum is at 664 N. Michigan.Admission is $7 for adults, $3.50 for seniors and free for children11 and under. Admission is free on Tuesdays and on the first Sundayof every month. Call (312) 664-3939.

ANIMAL RESCUES: The 80-foot Animal Planet Rescue Truck will bedisplayed on Saturday during a program about saving critters duringdisasters. The truck can carry 40 tons of animal rescue equipment,including rafts, water tanks, animal feed, kennels, corrals and aveterinary clinic. The truck can provide living quarters for eightpeople, too. Hours for Animal Planet Rescue Day are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.The zoo is at First Avenue and 31st Street. Call (708) 485-0263.

MOONBEAMS: Redmoon Theater is staging "Deciphering Moonshadows,"an outdoor show with light and shadow effects, puppetry, bells andpercussion, at the Chicago Historical Society. The engagement isrunning through Aug. 18. Performances are at 8:15 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, and at 8:15 and 10:30 p.m. Friday. No performances onSaturday. Show admission is $10, $5 for children 17 and under. Themuseum is Clark and North. Call (312) 642-4600.

CLIQUE OF PHOTOGS: A group of photographers, City 2000, is takinga look at people, places and things in Chicago in "UrbanAnthropology," a new exhibition at the Field Museum. The show runsthrough Dec. 31. The museum is at 1400 S. Lake Shore. Call (312) 922-9410.