Weisman Art Museum

Seven Folds from Tires to Roof

By heathercarroll February 28, 2018
Exhibitions, Uncategorized, University Gallery, Weisman Art Museum

“If big things come in small packages, what comes in a 10 pound, seven ounce, brown paper package that measures 2 feet by 2 feet by 5 1/2 inches?

A 10 foot 3 1/2 inch[-tall] 36 foot 2 inch-long life-size poster of a Greyhound bus, what else?”

 

That was the beginning of an article by Sandee Krupp for an unnamed publication, a clipping of which was found in a University Gallery Press Book from 1969. The photo in this article shows the artwork being unfolded in a hallway in Northrup Auditorium, the former home of the art collection and the University Gallery. The unfolding and refolding of a life-sized screen-printed photomural of a Greyhound bus sounds like happening in itself!

Page from the 1969 Press Book in the Weisman Art Museum archival collection at the University of Minnesota.

This enormous print was conceived by Mason Williams. Williams is known more for his music and the theme song he wrote for the (sometimes controversial) Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour than for his other artistic expressions. One of the Weisman Art Museum’s registrars shared this enlightening document from the object file of Actual Size Photograph of an Actual Size Bus.

120 feet of Scotch brand double-faced tape? Is that archival?!

Document from WAM’s object file for “Actual Size Photograph of an Actual Bus”, circa 1967.

Krupp’s article ends:

One observer suggested a new gallery–just for the bus.
And so, after many “Well, what can we do with it?” and not one workable answer, the bus was folded back up again, seven folds from tires to roof and 32 folds from headlights to the rear bumpers.

“Seven folds from tires to roof and 32 folds from headlights to the rear bumpers”, it lay safely tucked away in 1969 and waiting for decades to come. It took not just a new gallery but a whole new building for there to be enough space to display this work of art.  Seen here, too large to be framed, photographed while on display in the exhibition Reviewing the Real (6/8/2013 to 9/8/2013).

Mason Williams, with photography by Max Yavno, Actual Size Photograph of an Actual Bus, 1967, screenprint on paper, 123-1/2 x 434 in., Collection of the Weisman Art Museum, University of Minnesota, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Ruben, 1969.30.

And “seven folds from tires to roof and 32 folds from headlights to the rear bumpers”, it lays today, safely tucked away and waiting for the next time.

—Heather Carroll is the processing archivist for the Weisman Art Museum‘s collection at the University of Minnesota Archives. This project was made possible by funds provided by the State of Minnesota from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund through the Minnesota Historical Society.

 

 

Power, Mutiny and Monster Island

By heathercarroll February 2, 2018
Exhibitions, Processing, Uncategorized, Weisman Art Museum

While processing the archival materials of the curatorial department of the Weisman Art Museum, I came across an article from MN Daily called Imaginative Immersion: Three Days, Five Artists, which was about an atypical exhibit at the Weisman Art Museum in February of 2008. These five artists were part of a group independent study with UMN’s art department inspired by Paul Shambroom’s exhibit at WAM the previous spring titled Picturing Power. The independent course culminated in “a semi-impromptu mural” titled Mutiny. The students–Andy Brinkman, Brett Gustafson, Miles Mendenhall, Rhett Roberts and Travis Hetman–formed the group known as Monster Island. Over the course of three(ish) days, Monster Island installed Mutiny in the Shepherd Room of the Weisman Art Museum.

Monster Island

mon·ster is·land
-noun

  1. Multi-headed art beast originating from Minneapolis, MN. Known to eat art.
  2. Geographical location designed specifically for the containment of gigantic creatures.
Thanks to the Wayback Machine for the snippet above from Monster Island’s former website

To exhibit in a museum is a truly amazing opportunity for students. The only caveat to this opportunity: they could leave no mark or trace on the walls of this room. Instead the students used large sheets of paper “(sketched, painted and chalked) and a whole lot of blue masking tape.” 

“In their five-day project, Monster Island sought to address this relationship between public and private space, and the power between and throughout those spaces, not only through the final piece, but also through the interactive experience of construction. While the process unfurled as a sea of paper, paint and chalk onto the carpeted floor of the Shepherd Room, the guys encouraged museum-goers to enter, examine and discuss.”

MN Daily reporters followed the mural project’s installation, evolution and soundtrack from beginning to the opening celebration on Feb 24, 2008. The article mentions a timelapse of the installation that I’d love to see someday.

For more, click on the images below or contact nationalsales@mndaily.com for the more information or a copy of the article.

Mutiny article, part 1.

Mutiny article, part 2.

Mutiny article, part 3.

 

 

 

 

 

 

—Heather Carroll is the processing archivist for the Weisman Art Museum‘s collection at the University of Minnesota Archives. This project was made possible by funds provided by the State of Minnesota from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund through the Minnesota Historical Society.

Jacob Lawrence: Thirty Years of Prints

By heathercarroll January 22, 2018
Exhibitions, Uncategorized, Weisman Art Museum

Jacob Lawrence (September 7, 1917 – June 9, 2000) was an artist, storyteller, educator and chronicler African American life in America. Lawrence’s works are in collections such as the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), Whitney Museum of American Art, National Gallery of Art, Art Institute Chicago, and Seattle Art Museum. Locally, Lawrence’s works are included in collections of the Walker Art Center, and Minneapolis Institute of Art, and the Weisman Art Museum.

In early 1996, the Weisman Art Museum shared Lawrence’s print works on paper in the exhibition Jacob Lawrence: Thirty Years of Prints. There were many events associated with this exhibition beginning with a special opening reception and preview honoring Jacob Lawrence and Gwendolyn Knight Lawrence on Jan 20, 1996. This event came to my attention while I processing binders of photos and slides (now foldered in box #250). One binder titled “Photos of Important People”  included whole section dedicated to the Lawrence tribute.

Here’s a selection of the images from that evening:

Jacob Lawrence approaches the podium, WAM director Lyndel King applauding

Artist Jacob Lawrence holds up honorary degrees from UMN

Mayor Norm Coleman presents Lawrence with a Proclomation

Nils Hasselmo welcomes guests

Sunny Givens and Archie Givens, Jr.

 

 

 

 

Louis Bellamy with guests

Bobby McFerrin with guests

Judge Alan Page, Nancy Sims Page and Jacob Lawrence

 

 

 

Judge (and former Viking) Alan Page with Mia’s Evan Maurer

Gwendolyn Knight Lawrence and Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton

 

Phoebe Givens (left), Robyne Robinson (right)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other archival materials related to this exhibition:

Lawrence Opening and Preview Program, front and back. Note the long list of events!

Lawrence Opening and Preview Program, inside

Postcard for a later Tribute event

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

—Heather Carroll is the processing archivist for the Weisman Art Museum‘s collection at the University of Minnesota Archives. This project was made possible by funds provided by the State of Minnesota from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund through the Minnesota Historical Society.

 

 

In the Spirit of Martin

By heathercarroll January 15, 2018
Exhibitions, Uncategorized, Weisman Art Museum

Fifteen years ago this weekend, the anticipated exhibition In the Spirit of Martin: The Living Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. opened at the Weisman Art Museum with a full schedule of events. The purpose of the exhibition is clearly stated in the invitational brochure:  “By juxtaposing accounts in Dr. King’s life with visual renderings of those events, In the Spirit of Martin speaks to the power of art to shape collective national memory.” 

Although the exhibition was assembled by an outside curator, the local planning committee was comprised of over 38 individuals. Events associated with the exhibition included a preview party, choral performance, a community tribute to john powell, founder of the Institute on Race and Poverty, a talk with MLK’s friend and Pulitzer prize-winning author Roger Wilkins, Special MLK Day programs, Minneapolis Urban League’s documentary screening and a lecture by renowned artist Faith Ringold titled Art, Activism, and African-American Experience.

“Confrontation at the Bridge” by Jacob Lawrence, 1975. Included in WAM’s invitational brochure for the exhibition “In the Spirit of Martin”.

“Let Kingdom Come” by Paul Goodnight, 1992. Included in WAM’s invitational brochure for the exhibition “In the Spirit of Martin”.

“Peaceable Kingdon” by Malcah Zeldis, 1999. Included in WAM’s invitational brochure for the exhibition “In the Spirit of Martin”.

“In the Spirit of Martin was the first major museum exhibition to use the visual arts to explore the inspiring life and enduring legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Civil Rights leader, statesman, minister, and martyr, Martin Luther King is one of the most compelling figures in American history. An overview of the Civil Rights movement set the stage for the exhibition’s impressive range of artistic offerings. In the Spirit of Martin included paintings, works on paper, prints, sculpture, and mixed-media pieces by such artists as Elizabeth Catlett, Thornton Dial, L’Merchie Frazier, Jacob Lawrence, May Stevens, Charles White, and John Wilson. Some of the artworks cast Dr. King as a martyr and comment on violence in American society. These images convey the tremendous sense of outrage and loss caused by Dr. King’s death. Others examine his status as an icon of popular culture or a source of African American pride. Through its presentation of work in the visual arts, the exhibition demonstrates the extraordinary influence of Dr. King and speaks to the power of art to shape our collective national memory. A wide range of visual artists responded to Dr. King’s life and grappled with his message.”

~from Verve Editions

It wasn’t only visual artists that responded to the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. In the archives in an oversize box, there is a black spiral bound sketchbook that was used as comment book for this exhibition. Visitors–especially children–were so inspired by the exhibition that many took the time to share their own inspired thoughts and creations.
Here are just a few:

To quote Mary from Central Senior High, “This I learned and will hold in my mind to help me see, when other’s are blinded”.

—Heather Carroll is the processing archivist for the Weisman Art Museum‘s collection at the University of Minnesota Archives. This project was made possible by funds provided by the State of Minnesota from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund through the Minnesota Historical Society.

The gift of a letter

By heathercarroll December 21, 2017
Uncategorized, Weisman Art Museum

Photo by Don Wong.

While processing the archival collection of the Weisman Art Museum, I stumbled upon a heartwarming exchange between a UMN Ph. D candidate and Frederick R. Weisman himself. Copies of the letters dated July 21, 1993 and July 26, 1993 are in a folder amidst other reactions to the newly built Gehry-designed museum building.

Dear Mr. Weisman,  (Although I must tell you, I think of you as Fred)

Quite simply, I am too old to be writing a letter like this. But since I have never before written one, and since the intensity of my pleasure and gratitude seem to warrant some sort of excess, I hope you will forgive a little gushing.

What I want to do is thank you for my building. The University of Minnesota Art Museum. It is very much my building. And it is one of the most treasured gifts I have ever been given. I take a walk every afternoon, and leave, all year, leaving lectures still only half written, dissertation notes open on my desk, student papers ungraded, the  cooking, organizing, trimming, tending, all suspended. I leave, that is, my real world, cross campus, and walk back. and forth across the Washington Avenue bridge several times. My reaction is the same every day. I am each day astounded at the beauty, the humour, the complexity, the sweetness, of the building you have given me. I smile, I laugh, I feel peaceful and refreshed. I frequently have insights about my researcher; if it turns out to be anything other than prosaic, this dissertation I am wrestling with, it will be because your building, my building, shakes me, allows me to let go a little, lets me giggle, helps me understand what is beyond describing.

Weisman, touched by the letter, wrote back immediately.

Dear [Ph. D candidate], (although I think, of you as my good friend)

I received your letter today and I’m answering you today. In fact, I’ve put aside all other matters simply to answer your letter.

Your letter is a gift to me. I have received many letters from the citizens of Minneapolis, (all, thank heavens, praising the museum.) None, however, have caused tears to come to my eyes as yours did. You pay me a great honor and I shall cherish and keep your letter as the lovely tribute that it is.

I hope the Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art will continue to make you happy, to help you chuckle, to make your days a little more exciting when everything seems rather mundane and tiresome. It will bring an added dimension to the pleasure I derive from the museum while living many miles away in California.

Thank you for your dear letter.

Cordially,

Frederick R. Weisman

As I rush about this holiday season, I will try remember to stop and appreciate the gifts all around, like the walk across the Washington bridge with the view of an ever-changing, inspiring building.

 

—Heather Carroll is the processing archivist for the Weisman Art Museum‘s collection at the University of Minnesota Archives. This project was made possible by funds provided by the State of Minnesota from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund through the Minnesota Historical Society.

Twist and Seek(ins)

By heathercarroll December 7, 2017
Exhibitions, Uncategorized, Weisman Art Museum

 

I’ve been deep into processing photographs this week and was warmed by these photos from the 2001 opening for “Minnesota Art with a Twist”. Winter can be long and cold here, and maybe to some we seem a little wacky for putting up with it. Perhaps that’s just what inspired the theme of this exhibition–unconventional and a bit off-the wall, yet perfectly Minnesota. Cheese curds and french fries were served with wine at this event. There were roving jugglers and dancers, and for the kids, balloon animals and Twister. WAM Director Lyndel King wore a striking Nancy MacKenzie textile creation made from unexpected materials. Even more and rightfully so, the humorous, quirky, anything-but-normal works by Minnesota artists stole the show.

King wearing a Nancy MacKenzie creation for MN Art with a Twist

Gallery opening for MN Art with a Twist, with works by Donald Myhre and Herb Grika.

Art, off-the-wall and right back onto it. Guests marvel at the artworks in MN Art with a Twist.

Local artist and persona, Scott Seekins even made an appearance. I haven’t seen much of this local legend recently, but if ever there was an exhibition where I think he would fit in, this might be it. Perhaps he’ll make another appearance at WAM’s preview party for Prince from Minneapolis this week?

Local artist and persona, Scott Seekins shaking hands with Colleen Sheehy, former Director of Education at WAM (now head of Public Art Saint Paul), at the opening of MN Art with a Twist.

 

—Heather Carroll is the processing archivist for the Weisman Art Museum‘s collection at the University of Minnesota Archives. This project was made possible by funds provided by the State of Minnesota from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund through the Minnesota Historical Society.

Graduate Studies… with a View

By heathercarroll December 6, 2017
Uncategorized, Weisman Art Museum

 

 

Imagine its the mid-1990’s and you’re trying to decide between grad schools while paging through all the printed catalogs you got in the mail last week. You come across these photos of stylish grad students, studying on the terrace of the spandy new Weisman Art Museum overlooking the Washington Ave bridge and Minneapolis’s downtown cityscape complete with Metrodome Stadium. Then, imagine yourself in the same situation. Pretty tempting, right?

Photo by Tom Foley.

Photo by Tom Foley.

Photo by Tom Foley.

When the snow isn’t flying (as it is today), WAM’s terrace is open to all visitors. But until spring, you’ll have to enjoy the view through the windows.

These photos were taken by long time UMN photographer, Tom Foley. While these images are not a part of WAM’s archival collection, it seemed appropriate to share them here. These images can be found in the Tom Foley Photo Collection, folder “Grad School”.

—Heather Carroll is the processing archivist for the Weisman Art Museum‘s collection at the University of Minnesota Archives. This project was made possible by funds provided by the State of Minnesota from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund through the Minnesota Historical Society.

 

A Sonnet for WAM

By heathercarroll November 30, 2017
Uncategorized, Weisman Art Museum

In the summer of 2011 while the Weisman Art Museum was closed for construction, local visual poet Scott Helmes proposed a sonnet to honor the completion of an expansion to the iconic building. The correspondence from Helmes is as engaging to look at as the artist’s other works.

Helmes proposal begins:

Please send me a small plastic bag of dirt, sand, gravel, dust, from your museum construction site.
I will return to you a dedication sonnet, signed with the date of your opening, as a gift of the artist to your collection.

The finished work of art titled Weisman Art Museum Dedication Sonnet E on October 2, 2011 was added WAM’s collection in 2011. These letters whjich were previously amidst other files of correspondence now reside in the WAM registrar’s object files rather than the archives because the letters deal specifically with the creation and acquisition of an artwork in the collection. Although no image is currently available for this artwork, it is similar in appearance to the photographic example sent with the letter.

Helmes other works are included in WAM’s collection, Minneapolis Institute of Art, various other art collection and his writings are included in the Avant Writing Collection of The Ohio State University Libraries

—Heather Carroll is the processing archivist for the Weisman Art Museum‘s collection at the University of Minnesota Archives. This project was made possible by funds provided by the State of Minnesota from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund through the Minnesota Historical Society.

Many Many Many Thanks

By heathercarroll November 22, 2017
Uncategorized, University Art Museum, Weisman Art Museum

Thank you notes. Copies of hundreds and hundreds of hand written, personalized thank you notes, jam packed and bound into sturdy 4″ cloth covered binders that are labeled “datebooks”.

These notes were all written by Lyndel King, Director of the University Gallery and Weisman Art Museum (WAM) since 1975.  King was director during the fundraising campaign and building process of the iconic Gehry-designed museum, which opened in 1993. The notes of gratitude contained in these “datebook” binders were written in 2010 to the many donors responsible for funding the 8,100 square foot addition to WAM.

Stewarding the relationships that make art collections and museums possible is just one of the many behind-the-scenes, and often thankless, duties of a museum director. These notes show grace, expertise and a passionate commitment to WAM. I can only imaging the time and effort she put into ensuring every donor was appropriately and personally thanked for their contribution.

A big thank you to Lyndel King for her efforts and achievements on behalf of WAM, the arts, the UMN community and beyond.

Paging through a “datebook” of correspondence including personalized thank you notes from Lyndel King to donors.

Special thanks to Liz Kammerer and Mark Yechout for their help in making the gif for this post.

—Heather Carroll is the processing archivist for the Weisman Art Museum‘s collection at the University of Minnesota Archives. This project was made possible by funds provided by the State of Minnesota from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund through the Minnesota Historical Society.

Remembering the Wellstones at WAM

By heathercarroll October 25, 2017
Exhibitions, Uncategorized, Weisman Art Museum

In honor of Wellstone Remembrance Day today, we share the exhibition postcard for Twelve Years and Thirteen Days: Remembering Paul and Sheila Wellstone, photographs by Terry Gydeson. The photographic series became a book of the same title:

Senator Paul Wellstone is remembered for his infectious enthusiasm and his ardent devotion to helping all people gain a voice in American politics. In a remarkable collection of more than seventy photographs, Twelve Years and Thirteen Days commemorates the Wellstones’s commitment to social and economic justice and will be an inspiration to those throughout the country who share their values.

To see a selection of the images included in the exhibition, visit Terry Gydesen’s website . The book can be found at the University of Minnesota Press or the UMN Libraries. To learn more about this exhibition and the WAM archives contact the University Archives.

Front of the exhibition postcard for “Twelve Years and Thirteen Days: Remembering Paul and Sheila Wellstone”

Reverse side of the exhibition postcard for “Twelve Years and Thirteen Days: Remembering Paul and Sheila Wellstone”

—Heather Carroll is the processing archivist for the Weisman Art Museum‘s collection at the University of Minnesota Archives. This project was made possible by funds provided by the State of Minnesota from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund through the Minnesota Historical Society.

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