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The Elysian Arcs exhibit at the Marcus Performing Arts Center, photographed by Sophie Borich on July 20, 2024.
The team at Atelier Sis spent the weekend blowing bubbles. But instead of dissipating soap spheres, they created a massive art installation that will be on display in downtown Milwaukee for just one week.
Created by a Sydney-based design firm, Elysian Arcs is located on the grounds of the Marcus Performing Arts Centre (929 N. Water St.).
Five inflatable arches, more than 20 feet tall, can be touched and walked through. During the day, the arches’ transparent film reflects sunlight and glows with rainbow colors. At night, the arches are lit from inside and accompanied by a “unique soundscape,” according to a news release.
The overall effect is intended to be “a space of reflection, immersion and delight for the audience.”
Atelier Sis, which was also responsible for last summer’s “Evanescent” exhibition, is led by Peruvian sculptor and industrial designer Renzo B. Larivière and spatial architect and artist Zara Passfield.
Both exhibits were brought to Milwaukee through a partnership between Downtown Milwaukee, Business Improvement District #21 and the Marcus Center.
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Elysian Arcs will be open to the public from July 23-27 in conjunction with the Marcus Center’s Rainbow Summer: Highlights, with programming daily from Tuesday through Saturday.
Free musical performances begin nightly at 7pm, with an earlier, family-friendly start at 6:30pm on Saturdays. Sazama’s will serve food on its riverside patio each day, with a variety of food trucks providing additional meals.
Bubble artist Michelle Hackett will be on site weekdays from 5pm to 7.30pm, and lawn games and a rainbow-painted piano will provide interactive entertainment for the public.
This week’s live music lineup includes the LowDown Brass Band on Tuesday, the gospel-inspired Robert Randolph Band on Wednesday, Latin dance station Radio Free Honduras on Thursday, Beatles tribute band BritBeat on Friday and dance-friendly ensemble Mucca Pazza on Saturday. More details are available on the Marcus Center website.
According to Larivière and Passfield, Elysian Arcs takes inspiration from a modern world “on the brink of change.”
“Amid the pressures of climatic forces, political strife, economic fluctuations and social pressures, the work aims to evoke a sense of wonder and joy in the viewer. The title refers to the beautiful, the creative and the divine revelation.”
Elysian Arcs is currently in the midst of an international tour, with Milwaukee being their first U.S. stop.
“The opportunity to host the internationally acclaimed Elysian Ark exhibit is a testament to Downtown Milwaukee’s reputation as a premier destination for public art,” said Beth Wyrick, CEO of Milwaukee.
Downtown, BID #21. “We look forward to sharing this fun experience with the community this summer, along with our partners at the Marcus Performing Arts Center.”
