The Wisconsin Project: February 2013

28.2.13

Found: 50,000 Gal. Water Tank, Praire Du Sac, WI

Found: 50,000 Gal. Water Tank, Height 124 ft., Prairie Du Sac, Wisconsin.
December 9, 1913. Postmarked December 31, 1913, 4 PM

26.2.13

House with Shutters, Appleton, WI

House with Shutters, College Avenue, Appleton, Wisconsin, October 16, 2012
© J. Shimon & J. Lindemann

25.2.13

Found: Playground, Pine Lake, WI

Found: Playground, Bradley Point Resort, Pine Lake, Wisconsin. Written on back in fountain pen:
"Dear Marian: Thank you for your nice letter. We will let you know when to expect us.
I know Mrs. Birch was glad to get to her home for a little while.
Tell Art we will expect him to eat supper with us Sunday evening.
We are looking forward to seeing him. Love, Emma."
Postmarked Waupaca, Wisconsin, August 18, 1944, 6 PM

24.2.13

House with Blossoms and Siding, Appleton, WI

House with Blossoms and Siding, Washington & Rankin, Appleton, Wisconsin, May 2012
© J. Shimon & J. Lindemann

23.2.13

Found: Al Johnson's, Sister Bay, WI

Found: Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant and Butik,
Sister Bay, Door County, Wisconsin. Photo Jon Reilly. Circa 1980s.

22.2.13

Pizza King, Appleton, WI

Pizza King, 800 East Wisconsin Avenue, Appleton, Wisconsin (5.28.2012)
© J. Shimon & J. Lindemann

21.2.13

Found: Scene on Fox River, Appleton, WI

Found: Scene on Fox River, Appleton, Wisconsin. Handwritten in fountain pen on backside:
"My dear Sister: Since I have not heard from you for some time I'm thinking you or yours are not well.
Please let me hear from you soon. F. Scholz and mother and W. Stegert are in a critical condition,
hope there will be a change soon. Keeps a person busy visiting the sick. I'm feeling quite well.
Weather is very agreeable. Love and regards to all, from Lydia." Postmarked Appleton, May 15 1908 10 AM.

Found: Milwaukee Bay, U.S. Coast Guard Station.
Beautiful Milwaukee Bay affords splendid opportunity for aquatic sports of all kinds.
The spelndid Lincoln Memorial Drive skirts the Lake Front from Lake Park to Juneau Park.
Natural color postcard made in U.S.A. by K. C. Kropp, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, circa 1930.

Found: Milwaukee, White Fish Bay. By Curt Teich & Co. Chicago.
Postmarked Milwaukee, Wisconsin July 24, 1905 1 PM.

20.2.13

Cat House, Appleton, WI

Cat House, Appleton, Wisconsin, September 2012
© J. Shimon & J. Lindemann

19.2.13

Found: Lawrence College, Appleton, WI

Found: Lawrence College (now Lawrence University), Appleton, Wisconsin. Printed on Azo 4, circa 1907

18.2.13

House on Memorial Drive, Two Rivers, WI

House on Memorial Drive with a lake view, Two Rivers, Wisconsin, October 5, 2010
© J. Shimon & J. Lindeman

17.2.13

Found: Holy Family Hospital, Manitowoc, WI

Found: New Wing at Holy Family Hospital, Manitowoc, Wisconsin.
From an Ektachrome Transparency copyright the L.L. Cook Co., Milwaukee, Wisconsin, circa 1960s.

Found: Marshfield Clinic, Marshfield, Wisconsin.
Photo and published by G. R. Brown Co., Eau Claire, Wisconsin, circa 1970s.

Found: The New Greyhound Bus Depot on 7th between W. Wisconsin & W. Michigan Avenues, Milwaukee, Wis.
Copyright the L.L. Cook Co., Milwaukee, Wisconsin, circa 1960s.

Found: Milwaukee Performing Arts Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Symphony, opera, ballet, repertory theater, Broadway shows, recitals, pop music, banquets
in Uihlein Hall, Todd Wehr Theater, Charles P. Vogel Recital Hall, Harry Lynde Bradley.
From an Ektachrome Transparency, copyright The L.L. Cook Co., Milwaukee, Wisconsin, circa 1970s

Banal brutalist architecture with massive slabs of concrete and nothingness. Today there is another form of banal architecture for such institutions that involves the inverese: lots of glass and windows, textural imported stone, and cherry custom wood accents.

16.2.13

St. Francis School, Hollandtown, WI

St. Francis School (Pancake/Porkie), Hollandtown, Wisconsin, November 10, 2010
© J. Shimon & J. Lindeman

15.2.13

Found: H.H. Bennett Studio, Wisconsin Dells, WI

Found: The H.H. Bennett Studio founded 1865. The Bennett Studio Today. Oldest in Wisconsin
© 1965 H. H. Bennett Studio Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. Text on back of card reads: "The Studio was founded
by the late H. H. Bennett, a young Civil War veteran, in 1865. The present quarters were built in 1875 and
remodeled in 1917. Since its beginning, it has been continuously operated by members of the same family as a landscape
and portrait studio. During the lifetime of H. H. Bennett, until his death in 1908, most of his time, effort, and artistic
ability were employed in landscape photography. He built all his cameras, constantly devising improvements such as fast shutters for stop-action pictures. With these homemade cameras he made memorable views of Milwaukee, St. Paul and the bluff country of the upper Mississippi valley, but most of his photographs show the Dells of the Wisconsin and the nearby country. For over forty years he spent many days in the Dells trying to capture the best possible view of every interesting spot. Luckily the stereoscopic, or three-dimensional, photographs was very popular at the time, and the sale of Bennett's stereo-graphs of the Dells had a great influence in
bringing travelers to the Dells in the early days. Now the Bennett Studio is a century old and its operation
has covered changes in photographic methods from wet plates to color photography, and from head clamps to speed lights.
A small museum at the Studio, open to the public, shows much of the equipment used by Mr. Bennett in capturing his incomparable views.
These photographs, old and yet ever new may still be purchased at the Bennett Studio."

Found: "Watch" Jumping Stand Rock at Wisconsin Dells.
A Thrill for Camera Fans. "Watch," a trained dog, leaps the chasm
at Stand Rock, spectacular scenic formation at Wisocnsin Dells.
He affords amateur photographers an unusual "shot" and is
a thrill to all visitors. Copyrighted H. H. Bennett Studio,
Wisconsin Dells, Wis. Genuine Curteich C.T. Art Colortone postcard.
Written in ballpoint pen on the back:
"Hi Dotty. This is a card from our honeymoon that I thought
you might like to add to your collections.
I couldn't mail it in Wisc. because I didn't have your address.
We had a grant time. Sincerely, Rosie & Wimp."
Postmarked June 9, 1955.

Found: Luncheon Hall, Dells Kilbourn, Wis. No. 6.
Written in fountain pen on the back: "Dear Cousin. Received your card sometime ago but have been
so busy with my sweater. Have it all done except the collar and belt. The weahter is about the
ame lots of snow and cold. How is the baby and all of the rest of the folks. Your cousin, Sadie."
Postmarked February 19, 1909.

14.2.13

Sandpiper Bar & Grill, Two Rivers, WI

Sandpiper Bar & Grill, Two Rivers, Wisconsin, September 28, 2010
© J. Shimon & J. Lindeman

13.2.13

Found: Northernaire at Three Lakes, WI

Found: Northernaire at Three Lakes, Wisconsin. Kodachrome by Sid Lane published by
Wyman Photo Center, Wausau, Wis. Dextone. Made Direct from Kodachrome and Ansco Color by
Dexter Press, Pearl River, N.Y., circa 1940s

Found: Village Hall, Ephraim, Wisconsin. A View of Ephraim's picturesque village hall
with its quaint Norwegian archiecture, showing Wlson's Restaurant and Gift Shop in the background
located 27 miles North of Sturgeon Bay, on Highway 42 by the L.L. Cook Co.,
A Genuine Kodachrome Reproduction © 1952.

Found: Beach and Camping Area. Shell Lake, Wisconsin. Photo and published by
G.R. Brown Co. Rt. 5, Eau Claire, WI circa 1970s.

Found: Beautiful Color Lighted Fountain at Valley Motel. Highways 41 and 29, Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Charm, Comfort, Courtesy. 56 De Luxe New Units, Dining Room, T.V., RADIO, MUSIC.
In Every Room by Lefebvre Photos Green Bay, circa 1960s.

Found: Lake Park Pavillion, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin,
by E. C. Kropp Co. Milwaukee, circa 1920s.

12.2.13

Vacant Building with Parked Caprice, Manitowoc, WI

Vacant Building with Parked Chevrolet Caprice, Corner 9th and Chicago Streets,
Manitowoc, Wisconsin, November 2010
© J. Shimon & J. Lindeman

11.2.13

Found: Natural Gateway, Richland Center, WI

Found: Natural Gateway, Rockridge, Near Richland Center, Wis.
by E.C. Kropp Co., Milwaukee circa 1920s

Found: October in Wisconsin. Road to Wyalusing State Park near Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin.
Photo by Margery Goergen. Published by Goergen Studio, McGregor, Iowa, circa 1969

10.2.13

College Avenue, Appleton, WI

9.2.13

Found: Rapids Road, Manitowoc, WI

Found: Rapids Road, MANITOWOC, WIS. circa 1906.
Handwritten in fountain pen on frontside:
"May 28, 1906. Dear Sister Dorcas, We are spending two days here.
Have just sun. Mr. Wood. Juliet." postmarked Manitowoc, May 28, 1906, 9 PM

Found: Black Oak Lake, Land O'Lakes, Wisconsin (No Camping).
A Genuine Kodachrome reproduction by the L.L., Cook Co., Milwaukee, Wisconsin circa 1960s

Found: Terry Andrae State Park Entrance near Sheboygan, Wsconsin.
Curteichcolor® 3-D Natural Color Reproduction. Distributed by R. Nery, Sheboygan, Wisconsin.

8.2.13

The Grid and The Cornfield near Stephenville, WI

7.2.13

Found: Cemetery, New Holstein, WI

Found: New Holstein Cemetery, New Holstein, Wis.
published by A. C. Bosselman & Co., New York, Made in Germany.
Postmarked New Holstein, April 17, 1908, 7 PM. Written in fountain pen on backside:
"Changed our mind and (decided) that we'd settle here instead. Selma and Fronia"

6.2.13

Sunset Near Whitelaw, WI

5.2.13

Found: Washington Harbor, Washington Island, WI

Found: Washington Harbor from School House Beach, Washington Island, Wis. real photo postcard, circa 1957.
Message written in fountain pen on back: "Dear Grandma: The coffee cake sure did taste darn good. We have been fishing, swimming. Georgie caught a frog. It is on the cold side today. You should have come along. We would have a good time.
See you when we get back. We won't stop it will be 3 in the morning when we get into Chicago.
Love, The Hamiltons" postmarked July 23, 1957, 5 PM.

4.2.13

Newton Landscape, Newton, WI

2.2.13

Found: A Restful Spot at Fisher Lake, WI

Found: A Restful Spot at Fisher Lake, Florence, Wis. on Kruxo 7 paper circa 1923

1.2.13

Flower Lane, Newton, WI

THE WISCONSIN PROJECT

Our research-driven Wisconsin Project contemplates the rooted-ness and state-of-mind resulting from inhabiting a single place, our native Wisconsin, for a long time. Through critiquing postcard views both made and found, we learn a great deal about past and present Wisconsin. We began making postcard views of the places immediately around our studio and on our drives around Wisconsin in about 2008. We use the vintage postcard film format and print the cards in palladium and cyanotype. By communicating details of a specific place, seeming to register only marginally on the national radar, the project seeks to bring audiences into a Wisconsin mental space. Some in the art world would argue that the Midwest, particularly Wisconsin, makes for banal “fly over” subject matter. Our project challenges that by finding meaning in the ordinary and inviting audiences to examine, dialog, and reflect on the particular emotional quality of the idiosyncrasies of place and the perceptions of those both inside and outside of it. Sometimes distant memories are involved and a longing for a time now gone. Wisconsin’s glacier inflected landscape and proximity to the Great Lakes creates an exotic arena for living that informs our project. The life cycle plays out and rural and urban ruins serve as monuments to existences as people, places, and ideas surface then vanish. Ultimately, we aim to grapple with complex perceptions of Wisconsin ranging from nostalgic, romantic, and idealized--as depicted on myriad real photo postcard and standard tourist postcards--to mysterious, dark, and Gothic as conveyed in works of art and literature such as Michael Lesy's "Wisconsin Death Trip" book and Werner Herzog's "Stroszek" film. The project culminated in a residency with workshops and community collaborations and the installation "We Go From Where We Know" at the John Michael Kohler Arts Center 10.13.2013-3.7.2014 and later the Harvestore Bandshell for Fermentation Fest in 10.2014. The blog continues the exploration of postcards.