Artist Joseph Cornell called his inventive boxes “dream theaters.” These delightful constructions demonstrate his range of interests from astronomy to birds to ballet.

Cornell influenced Andy Warhol and impressed Marcel Duchamp. Since the 1940s, the one-of-a-kind boxes created by Cornell have delighted viewers with their mysterious assemblages of everyday things.

An exhibit at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago focuses on this American master by unlocking his connections to other artists.

The exhibition is called Pandora’s Box at MCA Chicago, and it runs through October 16. The Art Institute of Chicago is also home to a notable collection of works by artist Joseph Cornell.

For more on Joseph Cornell and his work, visit the image gallery and links below.