As winter holds on and the promise of spring looms in the air, the Milwaukee Art Museum (MAM) offers a burst of vitality and color with the installation of Meadow by the art and technology collective, DRIFT. Situated in the Santiago Calatrava-designed Quadracci Pavilion’s Windover Hall, Meadow ingeniously transforms this iconic space into a kinetic garden. Created by Dutch artists Lonneke Gordon and Ralph Nauta, the installation encapsulates their dedication to innovation and their exploration of the synergy between art and nature.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Artists: Lonneke Gordon and Ralph Nauta
Location: Milwaukee Art Museum, Windover Hall
Installation: Meadow by DRIFT
Architect: Santiago Calatrava
Theme: Intersection of Art and Nature
Materials: Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Robotic Components, Fabric Shades
Meadow is the second installment in the MAM’s Winter Series, which began in 2024, aiming to infuse warmth and joy into the coldest months of the year. DRIFT has meticulously crafted an experience that draws inspiration from North American wildflowers and the museum’s organic architecture. This installation intricately weaves elements of art, nature, and technology, manifesting an ever-changing display of light and motion. Its interactive nature not only counters the starkness of winter but also highlights the gentle beauty found in transformation.
The artwork consists of kinetic blooms carefully constructed from materials such as aluminum, stainless steel, robotic components, and lively fabric shades. Each flower is programmed with precision to mimic nature’s rhythms, opening and closing in a dance that reflects their real-life counterparts. Unlike DRIFT’s previous projects, Meadow is uniquely tailored to its location, with the number and arrangement of flowers specifically designed for the Milwaukee Art Museum, drawing directly from the vibrant hues and forms of regional wildflowers.
As a dynamic installation, Meadow evolves daily, paralleling the changing scenery outside. The moveable Burke Brise Soleil, a key feature of Windhover Hall, adds to this dynamism by altering the natural light at noon each day, casting varying shadows and enhancing the visual experience. This interplay between light, shadow, and the kinetic elements of Meadow results in a new narrative each time one visits, ensuring that no two experiences are identical.
The interplay between art and environment is a pivotal element of this installation, reinforcing the idea that art is not static but rather a living entity that converses with its surroundings. Visitors are encouraged to explore this dialogue, becoming active participants in the unfolding story as they move through the space. The choreography of Meadow’s blooms and the movement of the Brise Soleil paint an evolving canvas, inviting visitors to contemplate the passage of time and nature’s ability to adapt and grow.
Running through April 13, 2025, Meadow is accessible to all visitors without an admission fee, inviting everyone to witness the magic when design, nature, and technology converge. This extraordinary exhibit not only enriches the visitor’s experience but also solidifies the Milwaukee Art Museum’s role as a beacon of artistic innovation. It represents a meeting point of creativity and technology, offering a spectacle of enchantment where nature’s grace and mechanized precision coalesce, leaving all who experience it in awe. For additional details, potential attendees are encouraged to visit the museum’s official website.
