The Brookfield Public Library's sculpture, "Unfolding Red", has returned. It has been fully refurbished and was placed in front of the library this morning. It's been a long road, but it's home for good.
Its sculptor, Guido Brink, is a Milwaukee legend. Guido Brink (1913-2002) was born in Germany, studied in Europe and moved to Milwaukee in 1953. He was a cofounder of the Layton School of Art where he taught from 1955 to 1974. That school is a precursor to the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design (MIAD). The Brookfield Library's sculpture, Unfolding Red, was a 1973 donation in honor of a former library board member. It was located near the entrance of the library until 1990 when it was moved to the rear as part of the major library expansion.
This restoration required the efforts of a lot of people and organizations. The Brookfield Friends of the Library arranged to refurbish the piece and move it at no cost to the city. The money for the project was donated by a former student of Brink's and the Friends of the Library. The restoration was performed by Milwaukee's own SuperSteel Corporation and match the original specifications. Moving the sculpture between the library and SuperSteel was provided by Lemberg Electric, who recently moved to Brookfield.
Ald. Berg recognized the support during his presentation at the televised Common Council meeting of March 4, 2008. In fact, his presentation included this slide.
Presentation (PDF file) to the Brookfield Common Council on March 4, 2008 seeking approval for the relocation
The Brookfield Friends of the Library sponsor the book sale at the Senior Center (east wing of City Hall) held every Saturday morning in August. If you have some books to donate you may drop them off at the library anytime.
July 11, 2008 - Unfolding Red, Unfolded!
Trucks and manpower were donated by Lemberg Electric. Two members of the city parks department set up boards for the truck to drive on to prevent lawn damage. Brookfield Police shut down Calhoun Road for a short period to allow the truck to move into position. The three people aligning the sculpture are (left to right) Library Trustee Norm Rose, Library President Dick Brandt (behind sculpture) and a Lemberg Electric employee.
Click on the following YouTube link to see the unloading of the sculpture.
This was quite a field day for the press. BrookfieldNow will include photos and a video. I heard MJS columnist Laurel Walker will mention the event in her column. This just shows that real journalists (and bloggers!) are willing to put down the laptop and Oreos and do some old fashioned legwork for a story. Note the blue and yellow spinner. The original was lost decades ago. This one was built to the original artist's specifications and adds a bit of whimsy as it spins in the wind.
June, 2008 - Refurbished Sculpture at SuperSteel
February, 2008 - Photo composite shown to Common Council on March 4, 2008
July 11, 2008 - Shortly after placement
January, 2008 - Location of sculpture since 1990 on library east side
Official Record of City's Actions
Minutes of Plan Review Board meeting of August 23, 2007
Note the comment, "Mayor Speaker suggested that the sculpture be moved to the north side of the library, close to the entrance. Commissioner Donze agreed, adding that it will be more visible and there will be more interaction from patrons if it is located by the library entrance."
Minutes of Plan Review Board meeting of November 29, 2007
The heart of the resistance is on page 5, "Commissioner Wartman stressed that he is not comfortable with a sculpture that is not mainstream and placed in a very focal point in the city"
Minutes of the Common Council meeting of December 18, 2007
Final approval (or in this case, acceptance of the PRB rejection) always belongs to the Common Council. Ald. Berg pointed out that the PRB rejected the idea and the Library Board had not had a chance to meet to take a position on the topic. The item was tabled.
Thus, the three person PRB rejected the idea, the Plan Commission rubber stamped the item and the Council was about to do the same. So much for a wide involvement of elected leadership!
Minutes of the Library Board meeting of January 9, 2008
"There was agreement following Ald. Berg’s comments that the relocation proposal for the Brink sculpture was an opportunity to begin to address these broader issues, including taking a leadership role in community involvement and public art."
Minutes of the Common Council meeting of March 4, 2008
"Alderman Berg moved to amend the motion to move the sculpture to the west side of the Library (Calhoun Road). The amendment was seconded by Alderman Carnell and carried unanimously. The motion as amended carried unanimously."
Stories About the Relocation
Discussion on Ald. Berg's web site
MJS - March 5, 2008 - Sculpture gets prime spot Brookfield library art to be restored
Brookfield News - February 20, 2008 - Council to decide placement of sculpture
MJS - January 22, 2008 - Laurel Walker - 'Unfolding Red' deserves a prominent place
MJS - January 18, 2008 - Panel wants sculpture less visible, Brookfield mayor thinks some would complain
Brookfield Now Public Forum on Sculpture Proposal - I think this had a lot of influence
Report from city of Rockford, Illinois on their public artwork (PDF)
Brookfield Friends of the Library
Web Sites on Guido Brink
Marquette University - Haggerty Museum - Guido Brink Fifty Years of Painting (note the entry for 1972)
Artnet catalog listing for a Brink sculpture - note the $5,000 price tag for a much less prominent piece
City of Milwaukee Engine 29 Firehouse with Guido Brink sculpture in front
MJS Obituary for Guido Brink, April 8, 2002
