Foundry Work now open at the Grohmann Museum
| Published: 01/06/2010 |
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Milwaukee School of Engineering presents Foundry Work: A View of the Industry, the photographs of Michael Schultz, from Jan 15 through April 5 at the Grohmann Museum, 1000 N. Broadway.
Schultz gains entry to foundries and other industrial complexes with one objective in mind: seizing the exact moment when light, flame, smoke and action meet in one spectacular event, captured beautifully and naturally in full, rich color.
Using only his camera and natural lighting from the work and activity of the foundry, Schultz creates portraits of industry that celebrate human endeavor; highlighting the beauty of hard work. The photographs capture a seemingly alien world, complete with larger-than-life machinery, white-hot flowing metal, flying sparks and men and women wearing special fire-retardant suits and head gear. Schultz took the photographs in this exhibition on location in Milwaukee; LaPorte, Ind.; Hubbard, Ohio; Krefeld and Wasserbillig, Germany; among other places.
The Grohmann Museum is home to the Man at Work collection, which comprises more than 800 paintings and sculptures dating from 1580 to the present. They reflect a variety of artistic styles and subjects that document the evolution of organized work: from farming and mining to trades such as glassblowing and seaweed gathering. The Grohmann Museum welcomes visitors to three floors of galleries where a core collection is displayed as well as themed exhibitions. The museum is located at MSOE, an independent university with about 2,600 students. MSOE offers 17 bachelor's degrees and nine master's degrees in the engineering, engineering technology, architectural engineering and building construction, computer, business, nursing and health-related fields.