The Milwaukee Art Museum overlooking Lake Michigan is an architectural marvel! The comprehensive yet precise art pieces from famous artists, new and old, is what you must look forward to while visiting this appealing place.
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Milwaukee Art Museum, Wisconsin
Design
Earlier the museum was housed in a building designed by Eero Saarinen in 1957, as a war memorial, the exhibition space was later expanded in 1975 by David Kahler.
It was only after the 1957's expansion that the museum's space extended to the water edge and the plinth of the axis of the Saarinen building was created.
The 'flight over the lake' design was designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. The huge beams that extend towards the sides of the museum, give it a wing-like look while the steel cables appear to be the tail feathers.
The large wing-like beams descend in the evening when the museum closes, depicting the bird has landed. These wings only open up the next day when the museum opens.
Apart from the bird-like appearance, the museum's design also shows traces of inspiration from the museum's lakefront location. The pedestrian bridge has a soaring mast that looks like a sailboat while the curved story galleria appears to be a wave.
Collection at the Museum
The museum has chronologically arranged artworks starting from ancient, early European, 19th century European to modern, and the contemporary period.
With more than 20,000 individual artworks on display, the American decorative art, German Expressionism, and Haitian art are the best amongst the lot.
The Milwaukee Art Museum is one of the largest museums in the US and houses some of the famous artworks. Tara Donovan's Bluffs sculpture made in 2009 is placed next to a Robert Smithson sculpture.
The 'Chair Park' is a unique exhibit at the basement of the museum. Visitors can see the various chairs (behind a glass) such as Peacock chair of Frank Lloyd Wright and Eero Saarinen's Tulip Chair alongside other famous chairs, at the museum.
The museum has also partnered with the Chipstone Foundation, to exhibit pottery collection. There is a collection of fictional Mrs. M., showcasing her desire to travel across the world.
There is a gallery exclusively dedicated to Folk and Outside America Art. The collection at this gallery includes specimens from the Civil War era such as canes that soldiers had carved for themselves after completion of the war, in memory of the soldiers who were perished in the war.