Santiago Calatrava's Famed Milwaukee Art Museum
One of the world’s most beautiful museums is located on the shore of Lake Michigan in culturally rich Milwaukee.
The Milwaukee Art Museum, for many years has been highly respected for its collection of German Expressionism, folk and Haitian art and American works after 1960. With pieces by artists such as Auguste Rodin, Edgar Degas, Claude Monet, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Pablo Picasso, Georgia O’Keeffe, Mark Rothko and Andy Warhol, the MAM enjoyed a strong following.
But by 2001, the MAM came to the fore as a world-class institution with the opening of its new graceful postmodern Quadracci Pavilion by Spanish Architect Santiago Calatrava. Housing 20,000 works of art seen by 300,000 visitors yearly, the MAM has become the symbol of Milwaukee.
Breath taking in size, vision and composition Calatrava said he wanted to incorporate the culture of the lake—its moods and the sail boats—into the design.
“Wings” formally known as the Brise Soleil span the upper sides of the structure, forming a moveable sunscreen with a 217-foot wingspan. Bird-like, the fine skeletal lines of the Soleil are made up of 72 steel fins, ranging in length from 26 to 105 feet. It takes 3.5 minutes for the wings to open or close and sensors on the fins monitor the wind’s direction and speed. If the wind exceeds 23 mph for more than three seconds, the wings close automatically.
It is suggested to make a visit to the MAM a day-long adventure. For this outing, remember that the building is as much a work of art as the masterpieces within. In addition to a fine gift shop, the museum’s Café Calatrava, open Tuesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. offers both indoor and outdoor dining.
This is one museum you don’t want to miss—even if you never step inside its doors.
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- by Lori Rotenberk , Milwaukee Reporter for HelloMetro
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