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In November, I visited the Milwaukee Art Museum to examine its Santiago Calatrava-designed addition, which opened in 2001, and see how it compared to Boston’s new ICA. The Milwaukee building is a bright, airy space, a cross between a cruise ship and “2001: A Space Odyssey.” It feels like the future circa 1968. It’s charming, goofy, fun.
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Another great thing about the museum – an idea other museums (ICA? MFA?) should steal – was a series of free
pamphlet guides to the institution. The “Naughty Bits” collection tour directs visitors to art featuring, well, naughty bits. Introducing a 1605 painting of “Adam and Eve” it says: “What a better place to start than Adam and Eve on the brink of sin? … Look how soft and feminine Eve is compared to Adam – so tan and muscular. He is quite the macho man. Nice tush, too.”
![](http://gregcookland.com/journal/uploaded_images/picMilwOurslerblog-794080.jpg)
The “You Think
You’re Having a Bad Day” tour recommends Roy Lichtenstein’s 1964 “Crying Girl,” an Audubon painting of an otter caught in a trap, and one of Tony Oursler’s signature talking dolls pinned under an overturned folding chair. “Seeing how tough these folks had it,” the guide explains, “might just make you feel better.”
![](http://gregcookland.com/journal/uploaded_images/picMilwImpressInblog-798397.jpg)
The “I’m in a Hurry!” guide suggests a quick dash through collection highlights for the busy visitor. “Impress the Out-of-Towners” directs you to a painting featuring the first reference to Louis XIV of France, a gold Tiffany tea service and a major Caillebotte painting of men boating. One guide lists the favorite artworks of Milwaukee Brewers ballplayers – mostly predictably conservative realistic stuff, except for infielder J.J. Hardy’s pick: an untitled boxy steel and Plexiglas sculpture by Donald Judd.
These pamphlets are evidence of a museum smart and confident enough to have a sense of humor about itself. But these aren’t just jokes. These guides engage people with the collection, informing and entertaining, by acknowledging the range of the audience’s interests.
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