News Summary
The Milwaukee Art Museum is launching a new lighting schedule for its Burke Brise Soleil wings starting February 14, creating a vibrant visual landmark. The wings will now open daily at 10 a.m. and will be illuminated until 10 p.m. This enhancement ties the museum aesthetically with other downtown landmarks, enriching the visitor experience and emphasizing the architectural brilliance of Santiago Calatrava. Additionally, the museum introduces a seasonal installation titled ‘Meadow’ by DRIFT, open for public viewing until April 13.
Milwaukee – The Milwaukee Art Museum (MAM) is set to enhance its visual appeal with a new lighting schedule for its iconic Burke Brise Soleil wings, beginning February 14, 2025. This initiative aims to align the museum’s lighting with other notable illuminated landmarks in downtown Milwaukee, such as the Hoan Bridge, creating a more vibrant and cohesive skyline.
The Burke Brise Soleil wings will now open daily with the museum at 10 a.m., closing at 10 p.m. except on Mondays. Notably, the wings will flap at noon, enhancing the visitor experience. A significant feature of this new schedule is the updated lighting system, which will illuminate the wings at sundown and keep them aglow until the museum closes, even on Mondays. This dynamic display is expected to provide more opportunities for families and visitors to enjoy the captivating sight of the wings lit up against the Milwaukee sky.
The museum, renowned for its stunning architecture designed by Santiago Calatrava, has upgraded its lighting capabilities from a static system to one that allows for a spectrum of changing hues and movement. This enhancement is not only an aesthetic upgrade but also adds a dynamic element to the architectural masterpiece, transforming it into a visual focal point of the city.
For those wishing to view the illuminated wings, there are three prime locations: Museum Center Park, the connecting footbridge, and the interior of the museum from Windhover Hall. The new lighting system was partly inspired by the architecture of Calatrava, further emphasizing the artistic design of the museum as a whole.
In addition to the lighting schedule, MAM recently introduced a seasonal Winter Series featuring an installation titled “Meadow,” created by the Dutch artist duo DRIFT. This installation, which includes kinetic flowers designed specifically for Windhover Hall, aims to provide reflective experiences for the public and is free to view until April 13, 2025. MAM is dedicated to offering engaging and vibrant art experiences during the winter months when daylight is limited.
The Burke Brise Soleil itself features an impressive 217-foot wingspan and is constructed with 72 steel fins that weigh nearly 100 tons in total. A complex hydraulic system that operates on pressurized fluid is responsible for raising and lowering the wings, allowing for the dramatic flapping motion that has become a hallmark of the museum’s identity. MAM’s facilities team, which possesses over 100 years of collective experience in building maintenance, is equipped to ensure the ongoing maintenance of the Brise Soleil, ensuring its proper function and aesthetic appeal for visitors.
The updated lighting and schedule are part of MAM’s broader goal to enhance visitors’ experiences, making the museum not just a place for art but also a striking visual landmark in Milwaukee. As the city continues to evolve its downtown areas, efforts like these are pivotal in merging cultural institutions with urban infrastructure to create inviting spaces for residents and visitors alike.
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Additional Resources
- Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee Art Museum Wings
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Milwaukee Art Museum
- Urban Milwaukee: Winter Series at MAM
- Google Search: Milwaukee Art Museum
- MKE with Kids: Art Museum Lights
- Google News: Milwaukee Art Museum
Author: STAFF HERE MILWAUKEE WRITER
MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER The MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMilwaukee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Summerfest, Milwaukee Film Festival, and the Milwaukee Boat Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce and Visit Milwaukee, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and brewing that power the local economy such as Harley-Davidson and MillerCoors. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Wisconsin's dynamic landscape.
