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Milwaukee Art MuseumThe Milwaukee Art Museum has the distinction of being able to provide opportunities to appreciate different art forms. The Museum certainly is a place to view an impressive collection of Old Masters along with 19th and 20th century art. In September the Milwaukee Art Museum will be making an incredible addition to its permanent collection with the dedication of a permanent housing of their O'Keeffe collection in the Bradley Galleries. The same month the national exhibition The Quilts of Gee's Bend will make its debut in the Midwest at the Milwaukee Art Museum. The Museum has the honor of being the home of the first completed structure in the United States by internationally lauded architect Santiago Calatrava. Architectural splendor and an impressive art collection make the Museum a wonderful visit for art lovers. Dedicated Georgia O'Keeffe GalleryOn September 4, 2003, the Milwaukee Art Museum will open it's dedicated Georgia O'Keeffe gallery in the Bradley Galleries. Georgia O'Keeffe (1887-1986) was a Wisconsin native born in Spring Green and who spent many of her early years in that state. O'Keeffe used art to create her own personal language for self-expression. She avoided conforming to the conventions of her era and her innovations resulted both in praise from her many admirers and in condemnation from the critics of her time. Yet O'Keeffe was quoted as giving faint regard to either set of followers, preferring her work to speak alone. Notably she was the first woman to have a retrospective in the Museum of Modern Art in New York in 1945. Like many contemporaries of her age, her renditions of nature were dismissed and yet in later years their accuracy has been confirmed. This was a criticism launched at the famous Canadian Group of Seven, whose work reflected the rugged Northern Canadian landscape As the number of visitors to the area increased, whether for personal or other reasons, the magnificence of the work became realized. The same can be said for Georgia O'Keeffe and her incredible ability to capture nature in her earlier works, reflecting the time she spent in Santa Fe before she moved to New Mexico permanently in 1949.
David Gordon, MAM Director and CEO reflected on the importance of this collection. “Having all of the paintings on view in the same gallery for the first time really allows people to see the strength and depth of our O'Keeffe collection.”
The Quilts of Gee's Bend ExhibitionSeptember 27, 2003 – January 4, 2004
The quilts were the creation of the women of Gee's Bend, Alabama and span generations emphasizing changing motifs, techniques and textiles. Quilting was passed down through generations but in Gee's Bend individuality was a key aim in the production. Gee's Bend had a minor claim to fame for organizing the Freedom Quilting Bee as their contribution to the Civil Rights Movement and residents took part in Civil Rights Marches. The community used to have a Ferry to the mainland but it was discontinued in a backlash for daring to participate in the Civil Rights Movement. To this date ferry service has not yet been restored but a campaign is ongoing to bring back the service to the community. The geographical isolation allowed the individual creativity of the women of Gee's Bend to develop untouched by outside influences. To the credit of the organizers, the history of Gee's Bend is a major part of the exhibition including photographs and an accompanying 20-minute video discussing the history and the quilters themselves. History is certainly reflected in art and rather than downplaying a bump in a country's formation and growth, the exhibition instead will provide an educational accompaniment to the quilts and their historical importance. Santiago CalatravaThe Milwaukee Art Museum has the honor of the first Santiago Calatrava-designed building to be completed in the United States. Santiago Calatrava also designed the award winning Galleria at BCE Place in Toronto, the Lyon Airport Railway Stations in France and many other international architectural masterpieces. Santiago Calatrava has added the Quadracci Pavilion at the Milwaukee Art Museum to his impressive resume. David Gordon refers to the new addition as “a world-class landmark for Milwaukee”. It will further the vibrant cultural history of the city.
The main entrance leads to a reception hall which is enclosed in glass. The hall has 90-foot high ceilings. Water is a key element of the design, undoubtedly inspired by the Museum's lakefront location and Calatrava's inclination to take inspiration from nature. This is reflected in a curving gallery reminiscent of a wave, and the cable pedestrian bridge that includes a mast soaring like the mast of a sailboat. Calatrava purposely designed the building to be in harmony with the lakefront. As he said “I have therefore worked to infuse the building with a certain sensitivity to the culture of the lake – the boats, the sails and the always changing landscape.” Santiago Calatrava added that he considers “Milwaukee to be a young city with huge potential, and I see this design as an opportunity to not only create a building, but to articulate the dynamic potential of the city.” Fall Art TourOctober 17-19, 2003Autumn is an ideal time to visit Wisconsin not only to view the exhibitions featured at the Milwaukee Art Museum but also to participate in the Fall Art Tour where artists of Southwestern Wisconsin open their doors and invite the public to view their creative endeavors. Gallery NightOctober 24, 2003A particular date of interest is October 24th one of the quarterly dates called Gallery Night & Day, allowing interested participants to have the opportunity to visit upwards of 50 galleries, shops and museums in downtown Milwaukee. Parking is free in specific areas and so is a 20 passenger shuttle bus easing transportation logistics and allowing more time to enjoy the exhibitions in Milwaukee and the surrounding area. It is the fifteenth anniversary of Gallery Night which is considered to be the “premiere” art event in Milwaukee. Given its popularity the event now spans a Friday evening and Saturday daytime with many of the Friday night participants open on Saturday October 25th. |
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