Jesse James
When it comes to house parties, barbecues, and tailgates, the red solo cup is iconic. The artist studio and workshop Paula Atelier wanted to create a work of art that spoke to the times, bringing awareness through art. They created a ten-foot-tall red solo cup sculpture titled JOKESTER as part of the annual Sculpture Milwaukee festival.
The sculpture was created to help raise awareness on consumption, waste, pollution, and reuse. Paula Crown Atelier opened up about the sculpture and its purpose. Crown stated: “The signature 10-foot red sculpture acts as a stop sign, encouraging individuals to pause and examine how we shape our world, how our world shapes us, and the marks we leave behind in transient moments,” The statement went on to say, “Crown’s giant red cup, crafted to perfectly mimic the throw-away culture we live in, becomes a shameful reminder of how we treat Mother Nature.”
The sculpture is one of many contributions to the festival. First established in 2007, the Sculpture Milwaukee festival attracts art enthusiasts, tourists, and families to the city. Other highlights from the festival include Jim Dine’s giant, intricate creation called Jim’s Head with Branches. The multi-media artist Thomas J. Price’s Within the Folds can be seen as well. The German artist Anna Fasshaur Tallulah Rapsody aluminum piece is also incredible. The festivals guest curators for 2020 include Michelle Grabner, Lisa Sutcliff from the Milwaukee Art Museum, and Mary Jane Jacob of School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
Take a closer look at JOKESTER in the images and visit Paula Crown Atelier’s website for more information. You can also find out more on the Sculpture Milwaukee 2020 festival while you’re at it. In the meantime, keep it locked with The Culture Curators for more from the art department coming very soon.
Photos via Paula Crown Atelier
