Wisconsin Triennial Opens at MMoCA

Art Advocate | 5/05/2007 7:46 pm | Mad Art Scenes

I would have to say that if you missed the opening of the Wisconsin Triennial last night at MMoCA you missed an exciting night that comes along not nearly often enough. A stylish and energetic affair, artists, friends and guests, over 2000 of them, crowded the lobby well until nine o'clock. Curious crowds gathered around the State St. Gallery sidewalk to view the live models wearing Stephanie Liner's work. The galleries and art were sparkling as Madison dj Nick Nice created a relaxed and friendly atmosphere with creative melds of contemporary and classics like "Roxanne" and "So Fresh, So Clean." Gallery Night goers and others meandered through the building and discovered what Wisconsin artists are creating. Works were seen and responded to with the kind of interest and intelligence that will be completely lacking at the Mifflin St. Block Party today. Prove me wrong kids, prove me wrong. . .

The speculations I made in my sneak peek article were not let down and neither was I. The art was just as good as the party in the lobby. The Douglas Holst wall painting 288 Triangles, 24 Tones is spectacular in its finished state, I daresay it holds the wall even better than Sam Gilliam's work did. To the left of Holst, the Chele Isaac audio installation was intriguing and subtle with friendly guards ready to shut the doors to fully appreciate the work (as a rule a good reception is noisy). Jason Yi's Allusion to Diamond Mountain is cleverly placed in the State St. Gallery reminding viewers of the excellent Alyson Shotz exhibit and her Illusion of Gravity, though his work is more environmentally focused.

On the second floor the visitor is confronted by a towering vinyl installation by nationally acclaimed artist Santiago Cucullu, based on a Border Patrol Agent's personal notes about his weapons. gun=poor club. See the work and gain valuable insights like that. It's balanced by his Beautiful Dreamer piece made of found wood and transported in the suitcases it rests on. The contrast between the violent and hyper-masculine and the fragile and natural is quite compelling. Jennifer Angus' floor-to-ceiling mosaic of design and bugs is striking as well as her second show in town, see her work also at the Chazen. Stephen Milanowski's large photos are unusual for him (he usually does portraits) but a treat for everyone viewing them. The industrial materials and buildings chosen remind one of Charles Sheeler's work, it is no wonder that the Museum of Modern Art has Milanowski's work on display also. Photography is well represented in the exhibition as is digital media, the New Media Gallery to the right of the Main Gallery has multiple video works and should not be missed.

There were many more highlights and some lowlights, but the Triennial did bring out the best Wisconsin Artists (not all mentioned here by any means). It represented well the wide variety of styles that 21st century artists are involved in, especially the digital arts, as well as the mainstays of painting, drawing and sculpture. It is a successful return of Triennial in its new home in the Overture Center. Its depth and variety will take more time to fully see and sink in and I'm sure will be the subject of upcoming posts.

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