In January, our group of seven artists loaded up 2 cars with lots of food and handwork, and our thirst for adventure, and headed to eastern Wisconsin. Our first stop was the Milwaukee Art Museum. WOW! I’ve been to a lot of museums, and this one is one of my favorites! (along with Reina Sofia in Madrid, and the Folk Art Museum in Stockholm). Most folks recognize by now the “ship” from its kinetic roof, yet inside is what really counts, and it’s fantastic!
The individual galleries are spacious enough to showcase large-scale objects from well-known international artists. Of course, it being Wisconsin, everyone right down to the gallery guards was extremely friendly! a few of my favorites:
Come Out #5, Glenn Ligon
Dandelion, Harry Bertoia
As evening descended, we walked out to the dock and watched the wings open.
We then drove 45 minutes north to our Airbnb in Oostburg, WI. What happens when you combine seven artists with food and beverages in an enormous house on the lake? Lots of laughter!
The next morning, in a snowstorm, we shuttled to the Kohler Art Center to experience the Lenore Tawney exhibition. But not without stopping in the famous restrooms!
The men’s restroom at Kohler Art Center
Here’s a few views of this marvelous look into her life and work:
A re-creation of her New York studio.
The arrangement of her work and the shadows emphasized her interest in light.
In addition, there were two parallel exhibitions, one featuring artists continuing her legacy titled Even Thread [has] a Speech, and one showing Tawney’s personal correspondence and some personal artifacts. Both served to underline her contribution to art and artists beyond fiber. I was particularly interested in Judith Leeman’s installation combining the sensual nature of words written by hand on the wall, with the urgency of current events as conveyed by personal devices and social media.
Judith Leeman, Installation view, 2020. This piece gathers language from texts that intersect with texture, texts, and textile.
As we ‘stay-at-home’, these trips remind me of how critical it is to venture out into the world and experience others. Then, to come home and reflect and mine those experiences for creative material. This is a time for reflection and creative production. The time for travel WILL come again!