Watertower (Fruin)

Coordinates: 43°01′36.6″N 87°54′58.9″W / 43.026833°N 87.916361°W / 43.026833; -87.916361
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Watertower
Map
ArtistTom Fruin
Year2017
TypePlexiglas and steel
Dimensions610 cm × 610 cm (240 in × 240 in)
LocationMilwaukee, Wisconsin
Coordinates43°01′36.6″N 87°54′58.9″W / 43.026833°N 87.916361°W / 43.026833; -87.916361
OwnerCoakley Brothers Company

Watertower is a public art work by artist Tom Fruin. It is located just south of downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin on top of the seven-story Coakley Brothers Company warehouse in the Walker's Point neighborhood.

Description[edit]

Watertower is a sculpture made of multicolored Plexiglas panels assembled in a frame of welded steel in the form of a water tower. The sculpture's form references the once-common rooftop water tanks, most of which were removed decades ago.[1] Sunlight illuminates the artwork by day, and interior lights make it highly visible at night. Fruin salvages the Plexiglas used in his sculptures.[2]

Commissioning process[edit]

Coakley Brothers CEO Peggy Coakley commissioned the artwork for the rooftop of her family business after viewing a similar work by Fruin during a visit to New York. This is the artist's sixth water tower.[3] The artwork is part of a $6 million renovation of the Coakley warehouse.[4] According to a statement by Coakley, her goal with the commission is that "the public will see the sculpture as a symbol of pride for the city's diverse and vibrant citizens and a symbol of how neighborhoods and cities can be progressive and forward-thinking, while still being true to their roots."[2]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Nelson, James (21 September 2017). "Massive water tower sculpture lifted to the top of Coakley building in Walker's Point". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved 31 October 2017.
  2. ^ a b Tanzilo, Bobby (6 September 2017). "Coakley unveils rooftop art for renovated Walker's Point headquarters". OnMilwaukee.com. Retrieved 31 October 2017.
  3. ^ Nelson, James (6 September 2017). "Coakley wants water tower sculpture to be a colorful 'beacon' on Walker's Point". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved 31 October 2017.
  4. ^ Jannene, Jeramey (21 September 2017). "Coakley Installs Artistic Water Tower". Urban Milwaukee. Retrieved 31 October 2017.

External links[edit]