Nationally recognized artist Carter Bryson, most famous for photographing a ceiling water stain resembling the Milwaukee Art Museum's Calatrava-inspired logo, returns to Milwaukee this weekend after a stint in San Francisco to perform in the second annual Performance Art Showcase.
The show runs one night only, Saturday, Nov. 12, at 8 p.m. in the Marcus Center's Vogel Hall, 123 E. State St. Bryson will playfully discuss the crisis of the Midwest artist in today's global venue.
OMC recently tracked down Bryson and asked him a few Qs.
OMC: Where are you from originally? Where did you study?
Carter Bryson: I'm originally from the Twin Cities. I've studied a little bit here and there, but most significantly Mankato State, Lehigh, the Center for Creative Studies in Detroit, and Chapman.
OMC: What kind of art do you create?
CB: Like anyone else who cares about trees and other natural resources, I do exclusively conceptual art.
OMC: How exactly will you be involved in the upcoming Performance Art Showcase?
CB: I'm going to try to avoid the rehearsals. Just kidding. (Silence)
OMC: Okay, well, is Milwaukee a good place for your style of art?
CB: Milwaukee is a place where making a lot of noise with a gasoline engine is seen as a form of personal expression. The art museum has wings but it doesn't fly, and no one seems to care. I guess I see Milwaukee as a good place to be big sh*t on turd island.
OMC: Where do you live now? How old are you? Married? Kids?
CB: I'm kind of embarrassed to admit it, but I'm buying one of those new condos downtown. I'm currently single, but I can imagine myself with a partner, sitting barefoot on the floor in front of a Stephen Perkins sofa, with our oversized wine glasses, take-out Chinese food containers, chopsticks and the Sunday New York Times crossword. Sorry, I know you probably don't want me to turn this interview into a personal ad. As far as kids go, I can be flexible.
OMC: What are your plans or goals for 2006?
CB: Let's worry about 2005 first! Wait, it is 2005? What happened to 2004? I'd like to go back and find out just where 2004 went, and then vault right into 2006. Plans and goals? I'd like to formulate some plans and goals in 2006 that I could work towards in 2007. Or at least initiate in 2007 and hopefully realize by 2008 or 2009.
OMC: Anything else?
CB: Wasabi infused flying fish eggs.
For tickets to see the Performance Art Showcase, featuring artist Carter Bryson, call (414) 273-7206 or (888) 612-3500. Tickets are $7.
Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.
Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.
