cranbrook on the green at cranbrook art museum
This summer, Cranbrook Art Museum invites visitors to experience a new dimension of its historic campus with the launch of Cranbrook on the Green, an artist-designed outdoor miniature golf course located on the grounds outside of Cranbrook Art Museum. Each of the nine holes of the course are inspired by a different element of Cranbrook’s historic campus and history, from the campus gardens to unique landmarks and famous art and furniture designs of Academy of Art alumni. A special bonus tenth hole kicks off the course.
“With Cranbrook on the Green, we are inviting audiences to play as they learn and explore our incredible grounds during the summer months," said Lyla Catellier, Curator of Public Programs at Cranbrook Art Museum. “We hope new visitors will get to know Cranbrook’s National Historic Landmark campus through this unique experience, and that longtime enthusiasts of Cranbrook will be surprised and delighted at each hole.”
The course is comfortably laid out on emerald grass under the cooling shade of trees. If you’re familiar with Cranbrook, the art and architecture employed in each hole’s design will be instantly recognizable. If you haven’t had the pleasure of exploring Cranbrook’s expansive grounds, including its gorgeously peaceful gardens, this might be the inspiration to investigate. The 4th hole represents the Swedish-based weaving studio through a rug created by Loja Saarinen in a peacock motif.
In the shadow of Mark Di Suvero’s For Mother Teresa, the 6th hole celebrates Cranbrook’s history in ceramics. Maija Grotell, who lead the ceramics department from 1938-1966, is represented by her tall, soft green vase whose pattern is an abstraction of the trees on campus. The remaining pots are reminiscent of work by prominent artists including Mary Chase Perry Stratton, founder of Pewabic Pottery. The golfer launches this hole by dropping their ball into the lead pot and spins it toward their desired direction.
Slum of Legs is one of several holes where opponents are encouraged to interfere with the putter. Here the other golfers sit in Saarinen’s iconic Tulip chairs and use their feet to prevent holing out.
Steggy has been the official mascot of the Cranbrook Institute of Science for over 40 years. The course isn’t particularly difficult as I easily birdied this hole. This installation is about fun that either introduces you to the spoils of this campus or reinforces the enjoyment of its bounty.
Cranbrook’s campus can seem imposing as there’s a definite mystique about it. It’s actually not a place you need a secret handshake or password to enter. Cranbrook on the Green is an invitation for people to have silly, summer fun then stay the day to enjoy all Cranbrook has to offer.
The course will be open from 11am to sunset, Wednesday through Sunday of each week, through September 25. Each ticket also includes free admission to the galleries to explore other exhibitions also on view at Cranbrook Art Museum 39221 Woodward Ave, Bloomfield Hills.
*images are mine
direct quote from exhibition materials
SHOWS OPEN THIS WEEKEND