The Spirit of Manitou

Sculpture

Milwaukee Public Library

Name/Title

Context

"Inspired by the name of the library (the American Indian origins of the name) and called 'The Spirit of Manitou.' Paraphrasing the artist, it reflects monotheistic, supernatural tendencies as well as abstract notions of strong emotive force, guardianship, ethical direction, cosmic authority." (From note to June Edlhauser from Joyce Nowak, dated June 21, 1979). From the 1/4/1970 MJ (available in the accession record at 1969.7): "Using Tippecanoe as a motif, Brink became interested in Indian mythology, particularly the spirit of good and evil, Manitou." "'Among certain Indian tribes,' Brink said, 'Manitou reflects a monotheistic and supernatural tendency. The concept is more like an abstract notion, such as time thought of as the bearer of foreordained events...'" "The seemingly floating sculpture has a mysterious air that projects a combining of primitive American Indian and contemporary imagery." From the 11/3/1969 Milwaukee Reader: "The sculpture is the artist's conception of the ancient Indian god spirit Manitou. The artist was stimulated toward this representation by the name Tippecanoe. This hanging piece represents the modern artist's approach to creativity by using materials which represent modern industry along with a computer technique. Mr. Brink worked with a local metal fabricating concern [Super Steel Products Corp.] in computerizing his design and in using modern industrial methods to develop the structure. The artist with this sculpture has used basic color which, although bright, allows the viewer to relate more easily with the overall form." [The 11/3/1969 Milwaukee Reader also says that the Tippecanoe area did not get its name from the Tippecanoe tribe, because "historical sources do not indicate that the Tippecanoe Indians ever settled in the territory which became known as Wisconsin"; instead, the Reader endorses the origin of the name advanced in Paul Gauer's book The Gauer Story: A Chronicle of Bay View."]

Collection

Artwork Collection, Wisconsin Art Collection

Acquisition

Accession

1969.7

Source or Donor

Guido Brink-Rossato

Acquisition Method

Purchase

Made/Created

Artist

Guido Brink-Rossato

Manufacturer

Super Steel Products Corp.

Date made

1969

Dimensions

Dimension Description

Estimated dimensions

Height

6 ft

Width

20 ft

Length

20 ft

Research Notes

Notes

Smithsonian Inventory of American Sculpture, control number IAS 74020030.