Santiago Calatrava

S2

It is appropriate that internationally renowned architect Santiago Calatrava presents his work S2 close to his first major piece of architecture in the United States, the Milwaukee Art Museums addition of 2001. Calatravas unique vision makes visible the structures of nature, whose strengths and forms shape the human constructions of our world. Calatravas Quadracci Pavilion has become the icon for the entire city, celebrating our regions long support of culture in its various forms.

S2 recalls both the unfurling, dangerous tail of a scorpion and the internal chamber of a nautilus shell in an expressive, gravity-defying work. Wands of steel are held in compression by threads of metal. The energy of this work is palpableas anyone who has ever held an elastic band in tension knows, that energy has to be used wisely.

It is appropriate that internationally renowned architect Santiago Calatrava presents his work S2 close to his first major piece of architecture in the United States, the Milwaukee Art Museums addition of 2001. Calatravas unique vision makes visible the structures of nature, whose strengths and forms shape the human constructions of our world. Calatravas Quadracci Pavilion has become the icon for the entire city, celebrating our regions long support of culture in its various forms.

S2 recalls both the unfurling, dangerous tail of a scorpion and the internal chamber of a nautilus shell in an expressive, gravity-defying work. Wands of steel are held in compression by threads of metal. The energy of this work is palpableas anyone who has ever held an elastic band in tension knows, that energy has to be used wisely.

It is appropriate that internationally renowned architect Santiago Calatrava presents his work S2 close to his first major piece of architecture in the United States, the Milwaukee Art Museums addition of 2001. Calatravas unique vision makes visible the structures of nature, whose strengths and forms shape the human constructions of our world. Calatravas Quadracci Pavilion has become the icon for the entire city, celebrating our regions long support of culture in its various forms.

S2 recalls both the unfurling, dangerous tail of a scorpion and the internal chamber of a nautilus shell in an expressive, gravity-defying work. Wands of steel are held in compression by threads of metal. The energy of this work is palpableas anyone who has ever held an elastic band in tension knows, that energy has to be used wisely.

Santiago Calatrava

Santiago Calatrava

S2

Exhibition

Exhibition

Materials & Dimensions

Materials & Dimensions

Painted, welded plate aluminum and stainless steel

197 x 179 x 18 inches

Year

Year

2015

Site

Site

111 E Wisconsin Ave.

Credits

Credits

Courtesy Marlborough Gallery, New York.

Saint Clair Cemin

Vortex

Saint Clair Cemin

Vortex

Saint Clair Cemin

Vortex

Tony Cragg

Mixed Feelings

Tony Cragg

Mixed Feelings

Tony Cragg

Mixed Feelings

Jim Dine

The Heart After the Flood

Jim Dine

The Heart After the Flood

Jim Dine

The Heart After the Flood

thank you

To our generous sponsors, partners, collaborators, and supporters who make our work possible.

presenting

Founding & Sustaining
Sponsors

* indicates both Founding and sustaining founding sponsor

Anonymous
Donna & Donald Baumgartner*
Black Box Fund
Evan & Marion Helfaer Foundation
Susan & Mark Irgens*
Mellowes Family*
Sue & Bud Selig*
Julie & David Uihlein*

sculpture

Wayne & Lori Morgan

Visionary

George & Karen Oliver

Exhibition Partner

leader

Anonymous
Baird Center
Heil Family Foundation
Godfrey & Kahn

Collaborator

Betty Arndt
City of Milwaukee Arts Board
Kelli Gabel & Craig Karmazin
GRAEF
Guardian Fine Art Services
Hawks Landscaping
Mark Jungers
New Land Enterprises
Raymond & Barbara Krueger
ManpowerGroup
National Endowment for the Arts
Nonprofit Management Fund
Austin Ramirez
Syslogic Inc
Wisconsin Arts Board

Connector

BMO
Foley & Lardner
Imagine MKE
MajicPro
Milwaukee Magazine
Open Pantry
PNC Bank
PwC
Russ Darrow Group
Town Bank
US Bank
WeycoGroup
Woman's Club of Wisconsin Foundation

Sculpture Milwaukee is always free and open to the public thanks to our generous supporters.

We work with trusted community partners to ensure great contemporary art is accessible to all.

Sign up to receive news about our exhibitions and artworks, announcements, events and more

© 2025 Sculpture Milwaukee

thank you

To our generous sponsors, partners, collaborators, and supporters who make our work possible.

presenting

Founding & Sustaining
Sponsors

* indicates both Founding and sustaining founding sponsor

Anonymous
Donna & Donald Baumgartner*
Black Box Fund
Evan & Marion Helfaer Foundation
Susan & Mark Irgens*
Mellowes Family*
Sue & Bud Selig*
Julie & David Uihlein*

sculpture

Wayne & Lori Morgan

Visionary

George & Karen Oliver

Exhibition Partner

leader

Anonymous
Baird Center
Heil Family Foundation
Godfrey & Kahn

Collaborator

Betty Arndt
City of Milwaukee Arts Board
Kelli Gabel & Craig Karmazin
GRAEF
Guardian Fine Art Services
Hawks Landscaping
Mark Jungers
New Land Enterprises
Raymond & Barbara Krueger
ManpowerGroup
National Endowment for the Arts
Nonprofit Management Fund
Austin Ramirez
Syslogic Inc
Wisconsin Arts Board

Connector

BMO
Foley & Lardner
Imagine MKE
MajicPro
Milwaukee Magazine
Open Pantry
PNC Bank
PwC
Russ Darrow Group
Town Bank
US Bank
WeycoGroup
Woman's Club of Wisconsin Foundation

Sculpture Milwaukee is always free and open to the public thanks to our generous supporters.

We work with trusted community partners to ensure great contemporary art is accessible to all.

Sign up to receive news about our exhibitions and artworks, announcements, events and more

© 2025 Sculpture Milwaukee

thank you

To our generous sponsors, partners, collaborators, and supporters who make our work possible.

presenting

Founding & Sustaining
Sponsors

* indicates both Founding and sustaining founding sponsor

Anonymous
Donna & Donald Baumgartner*
Black Box Fund
Evan & Marion Helfaer Foundation
Susan & Mark Irgens*
Mellowes Family*
Sue & Bud Selig*
Julie & David Uihlein*

sculpture

Wayne & Lori Morgan

Visionary

George & Karen Oliver

Exhibition Partner

leader

Anonymous
Baird Center
Heil Family Foundation
Godfrey & Kahn

Collaborator

Betty Arndt
City of Milwaukee Arts Board
Kelli Gabel & Craig Karmazin
GRAEF
Guardian Fine Art Services
Hawks Landscaping
Mark Jungers
New Land Enterprises
Raymond & Barbara Krueger
ManpowerGroup
National Endowment for the Arts
Nonprofit Management Fund
Austin Ramirez
Syslogic Inc
Wisconsin Arts Board

Connector

BMO
Foley & Lardner
Imagine MKE
MajicPro
Milwaukee Magazine
Open Pantry
PNC Bank
PwC
Russ Darrow Group
Town Bank
US Bank
WeycoGroup
Woman's Club of Wisconsin Foundation

Sculpture Milwaukee is always free and open to the public thanks to our generous supporters.

We work with trusted community partners to ensure great contemporary art is accessible to all.

Sign up to receive news about our exhibitions and artworks, announcements, events and more

© 2025 Sculpture Milwaukee