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Wisconsin Avenue Gets Artsy with Sculpture Milwaukee

Wisconsin Avenue has become a temporary sculpture garden courtesy of galleries, artists, and curator Russell Bowman. 'Sculpture Milwaukee' is an installation of 22 pieces that line Wisconsin Avenue from Sixth Street all the way to the lakefront. After their time in the limelight, Bowman hopes the pieces will be sold to support annual 'Sculpture Milwaukee' projects.  

The five-month-long exhibition is the result of years of planning by Bowman and director Steve Marcus. At first, Bowman was apprehensive about finding artists who were willing to consign their work to be installed outdoors. However, he was pleasantly surprised by the interest in Milwaukee.

"It's been quite remarkable from the beginning how many artists, and galleries, and so forth were anxious to work with us, and I hope that can continue into the future," says Bowman. 

This is not the first time that Milwaukee has Bowman to thank for artistic installations. In his 17 years at the Milwaukee Art Museum,  Bowman was responsible for the installation of the recognizable design of the Quadracci Pavilion by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. 

Bowman worked with Calatrava again to produce and install the sculpture that will call the corner of Wisconsin and Water Street home until October. The installation of the pieces has been completed by a team of eight builders from the Chicago-based Methods & Materials. Co-owner Roger Machin said he was excited to take on a project that requires so many different types of engineering.

"We've been working with Russell for a few years on different projects in Milwaukee," he explains. "So when this came along it was really our cup of tea."

The Calatrava sculpture that sits directly under the Lake Effect studios got a lift from another member of the 'Sculpture Milwaukee' team: California-based fabricator Philip Stewart. In order to construct the sculpture, Stewart and his team had to suspend 24 pieces in a fan-like circle with a single wire connection. After working on the more practical side of Calatrava's art, Stewart said he understood the multi faceted approach to public art.  

"You know, you can't just be an artist, you have to be an engineer, and an artist, and a coordinator, and an acquisitions person, and a shipper and...you have to pull your hair out a lot," he says. 

Calatrava's design and 21 others will line Wisconsin Avenue from today until late October. The opening ceremony took place this afternoon in the lobby of Chase Tower on Water Street. 

Bonnie North
Bonnie joined WUWM in March 2006 as the Arts Producer of the locally produced weekday magazine program Lake Effect.