With three rivers鈥攖he Milwaukee, Kinnickinnic, and Menomonee鈥攁nd Lake Michigan, water plays a key role in Milwaukee鈥檚 history, identity and economy. WaterMarks: An Atlas of Water and the City of Milwaukee is a city-wide public art project developed by Artist that invites the citizens of Milwaukee to explore and understand the water systems that support their lives.
Miss' socially engaged art practice and methodology, known as , utilizes art installation to call attention to issues related to social, cultural, and environmental sustainability. The physical manifestation of the WaterMarks project鈥攁 multi-layered and urban-scaled atlas鈥攚ill be developed over time as part of an inclusive, citizen-focused process. For a full description, including designs, of the WaterMarks project.
You can download a full description of the WaterMarks project, including designs, and watch the short video below, which describes the project.
In 2016, the Haggerty Museum of Art received funding from 糖心传媒鈥檚 Strategic Innovation Fund to work with Mary Miss and CALL to advance WaterMarks from a general concept to a detailed, final plan. In addition, the Haggerty received a $146,404 from the .
With this, from 2017 through 2019, the museum was able to activate key nodes in the Watermarks atlas. This was done through a series of interdisciplinary neighborhood walks and workshops, which were developed in collaboration with the:
These programmatic interventions will engage citizens in conversation with artists and scientists about water issues, infrastructure and conservation鈥攙iewing the connections between ourselves, the land, the lake, and the rivers through the unique perspective of the arts.
