Nestled deep in the heart of the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, you'll find a curious fellow – Float. This public artwork's backstory's as fascinating as the piece itself, so lets dig a bit. Birthed in 1990, as a part of the University's new Sandburg Hall construction, Float was the cherry on the building's art-adorned cake. That's right, tucked away in a cool 25,000 dollars. American artist Peter Flanary – a Milwaukee native – dreamt up an intricate design, featuring a grand chariot topped with an anvil, bedecked in a star.
But fret not, the architect thought the weight too much for the location, so asked for a lighter piece. Lighter? Well, that's when ol' Flanary whipped up a bronze canoe, snoozing on its side, mingling with some hefty granite stones. Don't forget, this towering 15-footer lurks within a deep ravine, reigning over the campus grounds with a regal air, as if seconds away from sailing towards Sandburg Hall. Flanary's a master in weaving various materials into a cohesive artwork.
Critics might call his work a seamless blend of art and environment, but they'd be dead wrong – it's not just the marriage, it's the endless hours of hard work and a steady hand that make Flanary's pieces what they are. Float, my good friend, is just one of Flanary's many testaments to his dedication to his craft. Besides the art, ol' Flanary that's also a part-time professor in the art department at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, giving back to the field that's been so kind to him.
Just as Float harmonizes with its environment, so too has Flanary's impact on the contemporary art world continued to grow and expand, leaving an indelible mark on the global art scene.
Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata
Written by Friendly Jane
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