The Best Small Art Museum

A few days ago, I was in Sheboygan, WI, about an hour north of Milwaukee, to visit the John Michael Kohler Arts Center.  In my estimation, it is one of the best small museums around.  The work shown is innovative and of high quality, and includes everything from outsider art to tech-based work.

The first time I saw Daniel Rozin's work, one of the artists from the Act/React show at MAM, was at JMKAC a couple of year's ago.  We were so fascinated as we walked past the various pieces and watched as our images emerged in them and followed our movements.  Either the wood tiles would shift or brightly colored paint dripping down the screen would change to the colors that we were wearing and in the shapes of our bodies.  What fun!  Sure made me wish I knew just how one manages to create these terrific installations.

Currently, the JMKAC has a show entitled "Renee Lotenero: Shape and Shatter".  Her pieces consist of mixed media collaged with intricate drawings.  Lots of empty, white space surrounds her pieces.  The more time that I spent looking at this lovely work, the more I found and the more that I liked them. (Closes Jan. 18, 2009).

In another room, being shown is "Kathryn E. Martin: Flotant".  Kathryn uses the rims of "50,000 styrofoam cups" constructed and suspended on plastic rods in such a way that you feel like you are floating in the space.  It feels wonderful to stand in the middle of the space and let yourself become a part of it.  My suggestion is that you go to the JMKAC website (http://www.jmkac.com) to see a photo of her exhibit.  I really can't do justice in describing it. (Closes Jan. 11,2009).

One other show that we loved was:  "Messages & Magic:  100 Years of Collage and Assemblage in American Art". (Closes Jan. 25, 2009).

I wanted to mention these shows as I am hoping that if you haven't been up to see this gem of a museum, you should, and if you haven't been for awhile, don't wait any longer.  

Act/React

The Milwaukee Art Museum currently has a show titled "Act/React" that is "interactive installation art" with work by Janet Cardiff, Brian Knep, Liz Phillips, Daniel Rozin, Scott Snibbe and Camille Utterback.. What a great show! Not only is it fun to interact with the pieces oneself but it is wonderful to watch others do the same. The day we were there (it's best seen with at least one other person) we watched a young boy, maybe 6 or 7 years old, interact with Camille Utterback's pieces. While mother sat on a bench and watched, he spent at least 20 minutes moving in front of the pieces fascinated with how they changed colors, lines, etc. Other than just being fun, this type of art challenges one's brain to to figure out how the installation pieces were created. Or maybe the fun is not knowing just appreciating the experience.

This show was curated by George Fifield, director of Boston Cyberarts, Inc., in conjunction with Joseph D. Ketner II, who was, at the time, Chief Curator at the Milwaukee Art Museum. Having had the good fortune to meet and spend some time with George, I can tell you that he is absolutely delightful. He's bright, charming, funny and talented. Joe is a good friend as is his wife, Patty, so I can tell you that he is the best!! He's a special person with so much to offer and we miss him. (Sadly, our museum lost Joe when he decided to move back to Boston. The saddest part is that Joe was bringing life and a new energy to MAM and, in my estimation....and others, the board will greatly regret having let him get away!)

I hope that you will go to the site (www.mam.org) to see the video on the Act/React show.