Categories
20th and 21st Century Design American Art Collection Curatorial Exhibitions

MAM Celebrates 150 Years of Frank Lloyd Wright: Part Two: The Potential of Plywood

Frank Lloyd Wright (American, 1867–1959), Usonian Exhibition Dining Chair, 1953. Oak and plywood. Milwaukee Art Museum, Purchase, in memory of Evelyn Brindis Demmer with funds from the the Demmer Charitable Trust, Jody Brindis Goisman & Dick Goisman, Dr. Charles Brindis & Debra L. Brindis, and Wayne & Kristine Lueders.
Wooden chair made of cutout shapes
Frank Lloyd Wright (American, 1867–1959), Usonian Exhibition Dining Chair (detail), 1953. Oak and plywood. Milwaukee Art Museum, Purchase, in memory of Evelyn Brindis Demmer with funds from the the Demmer Charitable Trust, Jody Brindis Goisman & Dick Goisman, Dr. Charles Brindis & Debra L. Brindis, and Wayne & Kristine Lueders.

Though world-renowned (and Wisconsin-born) architect Frank Lloyd Wright is perhaps best remembered for his work in the Prairie Style, this portion of his career was only the first chapter of a much longer story. And so, in honor of the 150th anniversary of the Wright’s birth, the Milwaukee Art Museum is pleased to commemorate multiple aspects of his career—both early and late.

Categories
20th and 21st Century Design American Art Collection Curatorial Exhibitions

MAM Celebrates 150 Years of Frank Lloyd Wright: Part One: Presenting Prairie Style

Frank Lloyd Wright (American, 1867–1959). “Tree of Life” Window from the Darwin D. Martin House (Buffalo, New York), 1904 (detail). Glass with zinc cames. Milwaukee Art Museum, Gift of the Frederick Layton Art League in memory of Miss Charlotte Partridge and Miss Miriam Frink M1978.262. Photo credit: Richard Beauchamp. © Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation.

This year marks a whopping 150 years since the birth of world-renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright.

As institutions across the United States host specials exhibitions and events to mark the occasion, the Milwaukee Art Museum has particular reason to celebrate: although Wright has come to represent Midwestern and American architecture at large, he was born and spent much of his life in our own beloved state of Wisconsin.

Categories
Art Behind the Scenes Library/Archives

Frank Lloyd Wright in Color

Film still: Constructing the dormitory at Taliesin, early 1930s. Milwaukee Art Museum, Institutional Archives.
Film still: Constructing the dormitory at Taliesin, early 1930s. Milwaukee Art Museum,
Institutional Archives.
The museum’s archives contain a small but delightful collection of film and videotapes, detailing all sorts of subjects–from small films produced by the museum for various projects and exhibitions over the course of its history, to an odd yet enchanting assortment of documentary and artist-related footage.

But of all the film gems in the archive, my top favorites are two films of very rare footage of the internationally celebrated architect Frank Lloyd Wright which spans the 1930s into the early 1940s.  Both films were donated to the museum from the personal collection of Joan Salzstein.  She was the granddaughter of Dankmar Adler, one of the renowned architectural duo Adler & Sullivan, who changed Chicago’s skyline at the turn of the 20th century.  Wright worked for and studied under Adler, and his granddaughter Joan became a regular visitor to Wright’s home and farm at Taliesin in Spring Green, Wisconsin, for many years.

Categories
20th and 21st Century Design American Art Collection Curatorial

New Installation of George Mann Niedecken objects

Installation shot of Museum's lower level George Mann Niedecken installation. Photo by the author.
Installation shot of Museum’s lower level George Mann Niedecken installation. Photo by the author.

Milwaukee in the early 1900s was a wealthy city known for its manufacturing—including beer, leather, steam engines, and metal machinery.

Milwaukee’s industrialists brought cutting-edge technology to their businesses, and a few brought cutting-edge design into their homes.

For a new look, they could turn to interior architect George Mann Niedecken (American, 1878–1945), who revolutionized the upper-class homes in Milwaukee with a step forward from the cluttered interiors of the Victorian era.

The Museum collection has a wealth of drawings, objects, and archival information about our hometown designer that famously collaborated with Frank Lloyd Wright.

Recently, to honor the addition of several fantastic new artworks to the Museum’s Niedecken collection, a new installation was put together on the Museum’s lower level.

What’s the story?

Categories
Behind the Scenes Exhibitions

Behind the Scenes: The Music of the “Wings”

Picture this: You’re watching the wings open on the Museum’s Quadracci Pavilion and you realize you hear music… ever wonder who is behind its creation? I have! The answer is the talented Kris Martinez, Interactive Designer at the Museum. Below, straight from Kris, is everything you ever wanted to know about the music of the Museum.

Categories
Art Events Membership

What’s Happening at the Milwaukee Art Museum: May 16-May 22

Frank Lloyd Wright has closed, to record weekend crowds, and now we look forward to the Museum’s Summer of CHINA, which opens June 11. But more on that later.

This week, Members receive double discounts in the Museum Store on Thursday, plus since May is Member Month, there are additional discounts in Cafe Calatrava and Coffee with a Conscience.

Categories
Art Events Membership

What’s Happening at the Milwaukee Art Museum: May 2-May 8

Usher in Member Month at the Museum with lectures, discounts, and of course, Target Free First Thursday.

May is Member Month, which means special discounts at Cafe Calatrava, Coffee with a Conscience, and the Museum Store. Also this week, enjoy a The New Materiality Gallery Talk at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 3, and two Express Talks on Frank Lloyd Wright on Thursday, May 5, at noon and 5:30 p.m.

Speaking of Thursday, May 5, it is Target Free First Thursday and admission to the Museum is free for individuals. The Museum is open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and there’s a special “Double Discount” in the Museum Store for Members, so it’s a perfect time to come experience the art and save some money.

Categories
Art Events Exhibitions

What’s Happening at the Milwaukee Art Museum: April 25-May 1

Photo by Adam Horwitz

It’s the final weeks of Frank Lloyd Wright: Organic Architecture for the 21st Century, so if you haven’t seen it yet, get to the Museum soon! There’s an Express Talk on FLW Thursday, April 28 at noon.

On Sunday, May 1, all Racine County residents receive free admission, thanks to a sponsorship with Case New Holland (CNH). Just show proof of residency or a valid ID and experience Frank Lloyd Wright for free.

The next (and last) chance to see Frank Lloyd Wright for free is Thursday, May 5, on Target Free First Thursday.

Categories
Art Events Exhibitions

What’s Happening at the Milwaukee Art Museum: April 11-April 17

Frank Lloyd Wright in His Workroom at Taliesin, Spring Green, WI, 1956, Photo by Ed Obma, © 2010 Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, Scottsdale, AZ.

The Museum has a jam-packed week of events, lectures, and more, which means there’s plenty to do and see! Let’s get started!

On Tuesday, April 12, there’s a Frank Lloyd Wright Gallery Talk scheduled for 1:30 p.m. and on Thursday, April 14, there’s a Frank Lloyd Wright Express Talk scheduled for noon. Come in and learn even more about “America’s greatest architect” and why he is still so relevant today.

Categories
Art Education Events

What’s Happening at the Milwaukee Art Museum: April 4-April 11

For you baseball fans, it’s Opening Day at Miller Park, so here’s an obligatory-yet-enthusiastic GO BREWERS!

If you missed Art in Bloom last weekend, be sure to check out the photos on the Museum’s Facebook page, as well as on Chelsea Kelly’s latest blog.

This week, don’t miss Target Free First Thursday (April 7). Admission is FREE for individuals from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and the Museum features a Frank Lloyd Wright Express Talk at 5:30 p.m., plus an Artist Talk by Colleen Plumb at 6:15 p.m.