Considering he is one of the world’s most famous living artists, Ai Weiwei’s work has been hard to find in the United States. The Chinese political activist who designed the Bird’s Nest stadium for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing has spent nearly as much time in his country’s prisons as his art has spent in American galleries. Which makes it that much more surprising to have a major exhibit of his work opening at the IMA on April 5. Ai Weiwei: According to What? features more than 30 of Ai’s works, including many that demonstrate why the Chinese government considers the 55-year-old artist (whose name is pronounced “eye way-way”) a dangerous provocateur. Several pieces were part of his project to gather the names of the thousands of children who died in the 2008 Sichuan earthquake because of corruption in the construction industry. Asian-art scholar and curator Britta Erickson explains that, for many years, Ai worked with found objects—a photo he took of his head after an instance of police brutality, for example, or a pile of porcelain crabs that represents the Chinese government’s efforts to bring him into the fold. (The Chinese word for “crab” is a homophone for “harmonize.”) ... read more

[1] CruiseKokomo used federal stimulus money in 2010 to launch the City Line Trolley Service with old-fashioned cars. Two routes hit the best visitor destinations, including Kokomo Opalescent Glass and the historic Silk Stocking neighborhood. 765-456-7556, cityofkokomo.org.[2] NoshBoth a coffee bar and a bistro, the new Main Street Cafe occupies a former bank space and uses the vault as a pantry. The decadent Hog Farmer’s Friend (pork barbecue topped  with ham and bacon on a pretzel roll) is a fork-and-knifer, and where else will you find slushy frozen hot chocolate? 223 N. Main St., 765-236-1600.[3] GazeEven if you aren’t in town for some ink, pop into The Bohemian Club tattoo parlor to see its edgy collection of local art. It starts in the entry and continues down the back hallway, where you can watch through the large windows as the skin artists work in their studios. 206 N. Main St., 765-434-0066, bohemiantattooclub.com. [4] ShopOn the courthouse square, one door leads to a pair of boutiques: Lux, which feels plucked from Broad Ripple with a selection of under-$100 knit jackets (military, motorcycle, trench, blazer—you name it), and Angie Meyers Designs, selling the owner’s sterling-silver jewelry ... read more

[1] CruiseThe biking craze goes old school at National Moto+ Cycle Co., where owners Matty Bennett and Brendan Fox pay homage to Indy’s days of racing gone by with re-created vintage motorbikes, including an exclusive collection for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.  Accessories include aviator-style helmets and goggles. 5206 N. College Ave., 698-2418, nationalmoto.com. [2] RewindIndy’s indie crowd frequents Luna Music for a shape-shifting inventory of vinyl and hard-to-find recordings. In a nod to retro record-and-tape clubs, they’ll even deliver an LP to your door each month, for an annual subscription fee of $250. 5202 N. College Ave., 283-5862, lunamusic.net.[3] BrowseFor clever hostess gifts and cutie-pie baby presents, Be Boutique carries a colorful array of fun scarves, funky dresses, girly accessories, chic candles, stationery, onesies, and more. And Scout’s Treat Truck now stocks a counter with gourmet popcorn and cupcakes. 5367 N. College Ave., 257-3826, betheboutique.com. [4] BrunchDutch pannekoeken—that’s pancakes to us Yanks—lure diners to cozy little SoBro Cafe. Try the savory mushroom variation or the Double Dutch Chocolate. 653 E. 52nd St., 920-8121, sobrocafe.com. IN THE KNOW: Nora SpitznogleSaturday cook and server at the Red Key Tavern since 2002.What’s something we’d be surprised ... read more

Editor’s Note, March 27, 2013: This article originally appeared in the July 2004 issue of IM alongside this feature story. In 2009, actor Johnny Depp played Dillinger in the movie Public Enemies, about the Indiana desperado’s notorious Depression-era crime spree. Earlier this month, the Indianapolis International Airport announced plans to display Dillinger’s 1933 Essex Terraplane. [1] Indianapolis. Dillinger was born on the near-eastside in 1903. A stone wall is all that’s left of the homestead. [2] Mooresville. The Dillinger family relocated to a farm on the outskirts of town in 1920. The house remains, but the farm is long gone. [3] Martinsville. In 1924, before going to prison, Dillinger spent time in the Morgan Country Jail. The building is now an antiques, gifts, and tea shop. [4] Michigan City. In 1929, Dillinger transferred to the state penitentiary, purportedly to play on the baseball team, and remained there until 1933. Later that year, he helped organize a jailbreak for his former fellow inmates. [5] Daleville. In 1933, Dillinger robbed his first bank: the Commercial Bank of Daleville, which now stands empty. [6] Indianapolis. Dillinger’s only known bank robbery in the state capital occurred in 1933 at the Massachusetts Avenue State Bank, ... read more

[1] LunchThe Sanctuary Cafe’s atmosphere could easily outshine its food: The 1894 church, complete with soaring ceilings and stained-glass windows, doubles as painter Nancy Noel’s gallery. Fortunately, the food is worthy of its surroundings. Try the mushroom-and-Brie bisque, or something from the menu of vegetarian and vegan options. 75 N. Main St., 733-9160, nanoel.com. [2] ToastThe “wine shake” at Hopwood Cellars Winery combines a blend of dry reds, vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup, whipped cream, and a cherry. “This town is nuts over it,” says owner Ron Hopwood. So much so that he will soon offer a take-home mix. 12 E. Cedar St., 873-4099, hopwoodcellars.com. [3] InviteCrystal Hadley’s portfolio at Mayberry Design holds the latest trends for weddings (fingerprint trees in place of a guest book) and personal stationery (greetings backed with a pop-out easel stand, for easy display). By appointment only. 76½ S. Main St., 691-1199, mayberrydesignonline.com. [4] DineAfter a fire and three months of subsequent restoration, Patrick’s Kitchen and Drinks is again open for business—now with a new chef and a stronger emphasis on local ingredients. More good news: The beer list offers suds rarely seen in the suburbs, like Fountain Square Brewing Co.’s ... read more