Jaime Hayon: Technicolor brings vibrant colors and whimsical objects to the Milwaukee Art Museum

Milwaukee, Wis. – December 6, 2017 – The Milwaukee Art Museum is delighted to bring a broad collection of works by the Spanish artist-designer Jaime Hayon, from large tapestries to vibrant reimagined animals—including a brand new collection of glass sculpture. His exuberance is on full display in this exhibition, which allows visitors to escape into his vibrant world that merges art, decoration and design. Jaime Hayon: Technicolor will be on view from December 8, 2017 to March 25, 2018 in the Bradley Family Gallery.

Exploring his dreams and the depths of his imagination to conceive of his whimsical objects, Hayon has emerged at the forefront of an energetic new wave in contemporary design in the past ten years.

Hayon was born in Madrid in 1974. After studying industrial design in Madrid and Paris, he joined Fabrica—the Benetton-funded design and communication academy in Italy—in 1997 where he directed the design department until 2003. Hayon set up his own studio practice in the year 2000 and has dedicated himself fully to his personal projects from 2003 onward. Today he is considered one of the most acclaimed creators in the world.

Hayon embraces his imagination and does not shy away from using different materials and exploring new mediums—including sculpture, textiles, ceramics, furniture, playscapes and glass. The exhibition will feature sketches, drawings and maquettes of Hayon’s work. Sketching is part of the artist-designer’s daily routine. “Sketching is a progression of my mind, a way of connecting thoughts. It’s a precious liberty with no limitations, only the edges of paper. Now we have technology, but without the freedom of sketching, there is no passion.” Within his practice, Hayon also believes in the power of storytelling. He has said, “The story doesn’t have to be based on reality; it can be a complete fantasy as long as people can recognize themselves in it.”

Highlights of the exhibition include Hayon’s immersive installation Technicolor, commissioned by the High Museum of Art in Atlanta; the Green Chicken rocking chair (or “crazy dream object,” according to Hayon); an interactive sculpture; and his new work Afrikando, a series of glass vessels the Milwaukee Art Museum commissioned for this exhibition. Afrikando is inspired by the aesthetics of primitivism as well as Hayon’s playful visual vocabulary of bright colors, bulbous forms and geometric ornamentation seen in his other works.

“I am really excited to bring the exuberant work of Jaime Hayon to the Milwaukee community,” said Monica Obniski, Demmer Curator of 20^th and 21^st Century Design.

“His practice highlights a bright, playful, imaginary world that is positive and full of joy—something that I believe we need a bit more of today, especially in our contemporary climate. Hayon has also designed a new work of art that will be debuted in the exhibition. The “family”—according to Hayon—of glass vessels called Afrikando, is a recent acquisition commissioned for the Milwaukee Art Museum, thanks to the generosity of local glass collectors. I hope that visitors will delight in the colorful optimism of Hayon’s work.”

Organized by: High Museum of Art, Atlanta

Supporting Sponsors: Layden Family Foundation and Milwaukee Art Museum’s Garden Club

Education Sponsor: Suzy B. Ettinger Foundation

Supporting events

Gallery Talk

Tuesday, January 16, 1:30 p.m.

With Monica Obniski, Demmer Curator of 20^th and 21^st Century Design

MIAD Creativity Series: Jaime Hayon

Tuesday, February 13, 6 p.m.

Mark your calendars for this in-depth presentation by the artist-designer at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design. For more information, please visit:https://www.miad.edu/get-involved/for-friends-and-donors/development-events/creativity-series. The event is free and open to the public.

Artist Gallery Talk

Wednesday, February 14, 2 p.m.

With Jaime Hayon

Gallery Talk

Tuesday, March 20, 1:30 p.m.

With Hannah Pivo, curatorial assistant

About the Milwaukee Art Museum

Home to a rich collection of more than 30,000 works of art, the Milwaukee Art Museum is located on the shores of Lake Michigan. Its campus includes the Santiago Calatrava–designed Quadracci Pavilion, annually showcasing three feature exhibitions, and the Eero Saarinen–designed Milwaukee County War Memorial Center and David Kahler‒designed addition. The Museum recently reopened its Collection Galleries, debuting nearly 2,500 world-class works of art within dramatically transformed galleries and a new lakefront addition. This reimagined space also allows for the presentation of additional changing exhibitions. For more information, please visit: mam.org.

General Admission Pricing
$19 Adults
$17 Students (w/ID), Seniors (65+)
Free for Kids 12 & under every day thanks to Kohl’s Cares
Free to Members
Free to Wisconsin K–12 teachers with valid school ID or pay stub
Free the first Thursday of every month, sponsored by Meijer

Adult tour groups or school groups should call 414-224-3842.

MILWAUKEE ART MUSEUM
700 N. Art Museum Drive, Milwaukee, WI 53202
mam.org

Anthony Hernandez Sept 15, 2017–Jan 1, 2018
Degas to Picasso: Creating Modernism in France Nov 4, 2017–Jan 28, 2018

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.