50 SPRING 2019
TRAVEL INSIDER
The exhibitions rotate, and for Live/Work,
artists created installations that reflect the
ever-changing role of an artist’s studio. The ten
participating artists represent a diverse cut of
the art world, not just in identity, but in their
practices, markets, mediums, and reputations.
They hailed from all over, Pennsylvania, Illinois,
Texas, New York, Oregon, even California, and
each artist’s interpretation of the theme was
equally unique. Joel Otterson’s sculpture-laden
Dark Matter and Juxtapoz cover artist Trenton
Doyle Hancock’s giant toy shelves and humorous
comic in Makeshift, approach the theme from
opposite ends of the spectrum. For a viewer,
though, each exhibit provided a whole new
experience and perspective.At one point, one of the hosts told me about the
Sheboygan Surf Club, casually mentioning that
folks had been surfing Lake Michigan for over 60
years. Lake Michigan is enormous, but I hadn’t
even wondered if you could surf the Great Lakes.
It was a surprise that shouldn’t have been one,
only surprising if you don’t often think outside
your metropolitan bubble.So, why not Sheboygan? I met wonderful people,
went to a fantastic exhibition, saw the World’sLargest American Flag, laughed over burgers,
almost lost my fingers, and learned about
freshwater surfing. And that was only in two days!
If you’re ever considering where to go to get away
from it all, save the hassle and go to Sheboygan.
It might surprise you, even though it probably
shouldn’t. Did I mention there’s virtually no
traffic? —Eben BensonCheck out the John Michael Kohler Arts Center’s
current and upcoming exhibits at http://www.jmkac.orgLeft: Matt Nolen, The Social History of Architecture (detail), Vitreous china and glaze, 1999. John Michael Kohler Arts Center Collection.
Top middle: Joel Otterson, VOLUPTUOUS DESIRE, Iron, brass, 24k gold leaf 73” x 43” x 36”, 2018 Bottom middle: Joel Otterson, BEARING GIFTS,
Brass, steel, Japanese silver leaf, 50” x 25” x 9”, 2018. Right: Virgil Marti, Junior, Rubber, silver, urethane, wood, foam, fabric, trim, 2018.