Vote For Art
Speaking of swing states, all you Wisconsin people taking the day off to vote and maybe do a little phonebanking, don't forget to keep your "I Voted" stickers -- other states may hand them out too -- they can be good for free stuff.

The Milwaukee Art Museum is putting them to good use by letting you in free (on November 2) to the current special exhibit, Masterpieces of American Art, 1770 - 1920: From the Detroit Institute of Arts (October 23, 2004 - January 30, 2005),

a Twelve Dollar Value!!



This is a terrific deal, since it includes both the special exhibit plus the usual $8 admission (less for seniors, students, children),

saving you $$$ TWENTY DOLLARS $$$

It's like riskless, FREE MONEY!!

It's a pity they didn't mount the next exhibit of Mark Lombardi's work before the election -- but there were probably "reasons." He traces the unbearably complex relationships between political entities in gorgeous drawings of interwoven lines and conclusions, heartbreakingly lovely and cruel. He died in 2000, so young. From the blurb:

Because of its focus on often illegal and clandestine financial transactions, Lombardi's work attains almost prophetic significance in today's current political and economic climate. Charting patterns of exchange in the new global networks that have until now evaded visual description, Lombardi's drawings feature dashed, dotted or continuous lines signifying different kinds of financial connections.

It will run January 14 - April 10, 2005.

I am plugging all this because although I'm not a Wisconsin-ite, I'm a member, since I decided to punish the Art Institute for nearly doubling its yearly membership fee because of appalling mis-management of funds.

I fell in love at first sight, from the Santiago Calatrava batwings to the glorious, clean, heated and airconditioned parking garage. And the guts, too. I find their contemporary collection particularly thoughtful. I went to the Milton Avery show 2 or 3 times, a few years back.

Remind me to call the MAM tomorrow to see whether voter receipts from other states will be honored. That way, those doing outreach could take a little break and remember where America has been and where it might be going too.

- posted by Cynthia @ 6:13 PM | | | Link |