One more reason to brag about the charms of the cultural district that we enjoy in downtown West Bend was highlighted during a sculpture tour Sunday.
“Ribbon Fusion” was installed at River Shores September 27.
A group of 75 art lovers took trolley rides to see downtown sculptures placed by West Bend Friends of Sculpture (WBFS), in collaboration with the City of West Bend. The tour visited “Ribbon Fusion,” the newest addition to the community’s 3D collection. That monumental piece by Stephen Fischer, a renowned Midwestern artist, was just installed.
Fischer, a Vietnam veteran and graduate of the former Layton School of Art in Milwaukee, is winding down a long career and is best known for his massive Corten steel sculptures that resemble giant ribbons.
Two weeks ago “Ribbon Fusion” was lifted by a large crane and set in a small triangular park outside the River Shores complex on the north side of the city. A vertical “ribbon” of steel, it stands more than 13 feet high.
“It’s a perfect site for Steve’s giant work,” said Michelle Nast, WBFS president. “It’s a bustling residential and business complex. The spot is just off the Riverwalk so will be viewed by a variety of people.”
Gus Peter, WBFS director and professional installer, bolted “Ribbon and Rib Mountain” into place in Riverside Park.
The second Fischer piece was installed in Riverside Park just north of its tennis courts. It’s a large horizontal work called “Ribbon and Rib Mountain.” In addition to steel shaped as a ribbon, the work includes three polished chunks of granite, the rock that makes up Rib Mountain outside Wausau. The ski hill there is now called Granite Peak.
Several of Fischer’s most notable works have been displayed outside the corporate headquarters of Acuity Insurance in Sheboygan.
Nast said, “Our collection has gained prominence, so that distinguished artists like Steve Fischer want to be represented in our growing body of works.”
West Bend Friends of Sculpture president, Michelle Nast
When the collection was launched 33 years ago, the first WBFS board had three themes in mind that went to the heart of the city’s history: the beauty and utility of the Milwaukee River; its exemplary park system; and its industrial legacy of man-made objects.
Unlike concentrated sculpture parks and gardens around the world, the local sculptures – man-made objects – have been distributed throughout the community, especially in city parks and along the river.
The WBFS collection now totals 57 works. Several were previously exhibited in 3D Chicago, a juried show on Navy Pier.
About half the collection is downtown in the cultural district. The 25 pieces in the district complement our other outstanding cultural attractions: the Museum of Wisconsin Art, The Bend Theater and artistic banners that hang on new light poles.
Along with the river itself, shops and restaurants work together to put West Bend on the map as one of the nicest small city cultural districts in the country.
Note that the cultural district overlaps with the city’s recognized Historic District. They complement each other.
WBFS is a non-profit civic corporation. No taxpayer money funds the sculpture.
