Today is the last day of Artprize. It’s been a full eighteen days. Full of art, a bit of commotion, perusing the internet, voting, contemplating, conversation, images, friends, observations, keeping track of, asking, listening, walking, watching, and eating…and that was just on my part. It’s Saturday and the streets are still full. I’m working and through the windows I see the art lookers are still coming in droves.
I prize art so much because someone has taken the time to capture and record an idea or impression. (It’s the same for writing.) This act of recording gives value to these ideas and to the experience of being. I appreciate this greatly. These ideas then shape us, inform us, expose us, push, and enlighten us. In an often monotonous world they sometimes offer something new. I need to be exposed to new ideas. I want to keep growing. Art does this for me.
What is sticking with me about Artprize 2009? Tommy Allen’s Kissing Booth photo’s on Flickr. Visiting venues with Linda, Jeanne, Betsy, and Lynn, I love them all. The comedy of grown people managing awkward inflatable wearable art sculptures while walking down the sidewalk. Comparing notes about what to see next with my officemate Melanie. Feeling delight that someone chose to paint a bright pink room even if artistically it meant little to me. Listening to people’s complaints, assessments, ego’s, and stories about it all. Hearing the crowd cheer as the planes came down. Watching a Fountain Street Church venue organizer tell Eric Standley they were going to buy his piece. The constant curious crowds. The view from the 28th floor. Talking with strangers about what we each thought. The open-mindedness of Rick DeVos and Jeff Meeuwsen. My appreciation for the paintings, most especially from Baker, Bauer, Bereza, Brandess, Duke, Duren, Harp, Hyma, Jepsen, Lowly, Marie, Mehaffey, Ortner, Poortenga, Rouleau, Serrano, Seven, Sobel, Sweemer, and Swierenga. I've really enjoyed the paintings.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
(Four days with a bad cold – too much Artprize?)
Last Thursday I cast my one and final vote for Tracy Van Duinen and “Imagine That!,” the mosaic on the side of the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum. Weeks before Artprize officially began, this piece was complete. If everything is as well done and magical as this, Grand Rapids is in for a real treat I thought. Today I changed my vote. I’m voting instead for Ran Ortner’s “Open Water no. 24.”
Initially, I had dismissed Open Water. I thought it was a photograph, and although still a great image, I was not compelled to vote for it. A few days ago I learned it was a painting. Today I looked again, up close this time. It’s very good. It’s beautiful. I’m glad it’s in the top ten. The paint appears to have been applied with ease and the colors mixed by someone who knows water well. I overheard the artist telling someone today that he’s a surfer and when he is in the water he studies it. This adds to my appreciation of the work. He has an active, conscious, connection with water. He spends time in it and on it in a way few of us do. And even though the waves are large they are not threatening. They are full and open, as the title suggests…inviting, graceful, and wild. It’s wonderful.
I’m glad I took another look.
Last Thursday I cast my one and final vote for Tracy Van Duinen and “Imagine That!,” the mosaic on the side of the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum. Weeks before Artprize officially began, this piece was complete. If everything is as well done and magical as this, Grand Rapids is in for a real treat I thought. Today I changed my vote. I’m voting instead for Ran Ortner’s “Open Water no. 24.”
Initially, I had dismissed Open Water. I thought it was a photograph, and although still a great image, I was not compelled to vote for it. A few days ago I learned it was a painting. Today I looked again, up close this time. It’s very good. It’s beautiful. I’m glad it’s in the top ten. The paint appears to have been applied with ease and the colors mixed by someone who knows water well. I overheard the artist telling someone today that he’s a surfer and when he is in the water he studies it. This adds to my appreciation of the work. He has an active, conscious, connection with water. He spends time in it and on it in a way few of us do. And even though the waves are large they are not threatening. They are full and open, as the title suggests…inviting, graceful, and wild. It’s wonderful.
I’m glad I took another look.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Yesterday I listened to a dialogue about art, the quality of what is represented in Artprize, and educating people as to what “good” art is. It was frank and rather courageous I thought, on several fronts. The conversation occurred during Kendall College of Art & Design’s lunchtime speaker series. Artprize creators Rick DeVos and Jeffrey Meeuwsen were the scheduled speakers.
Things got down to brass tacks quickly when a trained-in-the-arts member of the audience expressed concerns that Artprize not turn Grand Rapids in a “joke” in the art world. Speaking for her peers she objected to the “carnival-” and “circus-" like nature of Artprize. Pointing out that the quality of most of what made it into the top 25 vote getters wasn’t that good. She owned the “elitist” title that she believed some have placed on her. DeVos agreed that there is a lot of “bad art in Artprize.”
These led to thoughts about artists stepping up and helping to educate the public about art. Also, about the importance of inclusiveness and keeping the event accessible to new and upcoming artists, trained or not. And if trained artists might get paid for getting involved with the education process.
The dialogue fell into countering the comments of “the elites.”
An artist who's chosen not to seek formal training and read books to meet her needs said that others like her throughout history have started art movements. (Is that true?)
A student said when he hears that “someone wants to educate me,” he believes “they stop listening.”
“Don’t change a thing,” said another.
Applause met every perspective.
Rick and Jeff want to raise the bar on the quality of art in Artprize, and once the top ten are announced will begin talking about the pieces they felt were overlooked. They welcomed the honest dialogue and encouraged more of it. Friday night there is a critique of the top ten at the U.I.C.A. I probably won’t make it and am curious if the comments there will be just as honest.
I was impressed with the openness and unruffled nature of these guys. They heard it all and did a good job of bringing things back to center, clearly knowing tensions like these would arise. Rick expressed the importance of having educated, trained artists in general, and in Artprize. Jeffrey, the importance of keeping it inclusive. They are collecting feedback from all sources…for next year.
Criticisms aside, most in attendance applauded the event as a success.
I applaud the courage and the stomachs of these guys for affecting change in Grand Rapids.
Things got down to brass tacks quickly when a trained-in-the-arts member of the audience expressed concerns that Artprize not turn Grand Rapids in a “joke” in the art world. Speaking for her peers she objected to the “carnival-” and “circus-" like nature of Artprize. Pointing out that the quality of most of what made it into the top 25 vote getters wasn’t that good. She owned the “elitist” title that she believed some have placed on her. DeVos agreed that there is a lot of “bad art in Artprize.”
These led to thoughts about artists stepping up and helping to educate the public about art. Also, about the importance of inclusiveness and keeping the event accessible to new and upcoming artists, trained or not. And if trained artists might get paid for getting involved with the education process.
The dialogue fell into countering the comments of “the elites.”
An artist who's chosen not to seek formal training and read books to meet her needs said that others like her throughout history have started art movements. (Is that true?)
A student said when he hears that “someone wants to educate me,” he believes “they stop listening.”
“Don’t change a thing,” said another.
Applause met every perspective.
Rick and Jeff want to raise the bar on the quality of art in Artprize, and once the top ten are announced will begin talking about the pieces they felt were overlooked. They welcomed the honest dialogue and encouraged more of it. Friday night there is a critique of the top ten at the U.I.C.A. I probably won’t make it and am curious if the comments there will be just as honest.
I was impressed with the openness and unruffled nature of these guys. They heard it all and did a good job of bringing things back to center, clearly knowing tensions like these would arise. Rick expressed the importance of having educated, trained artists in general, and in Artprize. Jeffrey, the importance of keeping it inclusive. They are collecting feedback from all sources…for next year.
Criticisms aside, most in attendance applauded the event as a success.
I applaud the courage and the stomachs of these guys for affecting change in Grand Rapids.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Our ability to vote for any of the Artprize artists ends tonight at midnight. Tomorrow the contest is narrowed down to the top ten vote getters, and then we vote again…one vote per registrant this time. Other than aesthetics, artist types I know are including other criteria in their voting decisions. One who is employed in the Green industry is considering the sustainability of the pieces that draw her, both the materials used, and if it has moving parts, the energy required. Another is trying to consider more entrees made by woman as it appears to her that many in the top are men. A quick glance at the results so far says she’s right. Another who’s done a fair bit of art herself is considering the media used and the difficulty of the materials involved. I’ve been influenced to cast two or three votes because of the messages relayed. All of my votes, first and foremost, are based on what I believe is good. For me that means what is executed well, the effort involved, and the impact it made on me. I’ve cast seventy votes. Before voting began I was going to limit myself to ten, and be really discriminating. That idea was thrown out the window on the first day.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
This lunch hour I walked up Division Avenue, The Avenue of the Arts as its becoming known here. Most of the venues don’t open until five, so I had to peak in the windows of some. I discovered Young Kim’s Salt and Earth this way and think it’s one of the more unusual pieces I’ve found. It’s made of salt and local earth and includes portraits taken “by way of chance/fate encounters with residents of the community.” A simple light bulb on a cord hangs from the ceiling over each of the thirty portraits. The entire presentation is very striking. Others where I work have started talking about it today too. I’ve cast my vote and am going back after five to see it up close.
The Avenue is on other side of Fulton Street and has been in measurable transition for the past five years or so. What was dilapidated falling down buildings in a once-thought-unapproachable neighborhood (many of our displaced population reside here) is now full of artist’s lofts and low-income housing, edgy shops, bars, and eateries. Our Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts (U.I.C.A.) is in the process of constructing their new building on a key corner here. I’m told there are ninety artists living and working within the main two-block area. The largest most predominant building on the Avenue was just renovated and the apartments upstairs are already full. One of the established first-of-the-true-believers here told me that there’s quite a buzz “out there” about the art scene that Grand Rapids is becoming. He’s met two newcomers from San Francisco and two more from Australia who just moved into the new apartments based on what they’ve heard.
It’s the constant and committed energy of our local artists that has set the stage for events like Artprize. Local artists have dug in their heals and the community is developing a growing appreciation for them. This has all contributed to the explosion that is Artprize.
The Avenue is on other side of Fulton Street and has been in measurable transition for the past five years or so. What was dilapidated falling down buildings in a once-thought-unapproachable neighborhood (many of our displaced population reside here) is now full of artist’s lofts and low-income housing, edgy shops, bars, and eateries. Our Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts (U.I.C.A.) is in the process of constructing their new building on a key corner here. I’m told there are ninety artists living and working within the main two-block area. The largest most predominant building on the Avenue was just renovated and the apartments upstairs are already full. One of the established first-of-the-true-believers here told me that there’s quite a buzz “out there” about the art scene that Grand Rapids is becoming. He’s met two newcomers from San Francisco and two more from Australia who just moved into the new apartments based on what they’ve heard.
It’s the constant and committed energy of our local artists that has set the stage for events like Artprize. Local artists have dug in their heals and the community is developing a growing appreciation for them. This has all contributed to the explosion that is Artprize.
I’ve decided not to give a thumb’s down vote to the very average painting that sits atop a shameless and paint spattered 65-foot crane/easel. This was to be my only thumbs down. Other than contributing to the controversial list (say “no” to drama), it’s a little unclear what the thumb’s down vote does. And I know that casting even a disapproving vote at it is still throwing attention at it. I have no interest in throwing attention of any sort at this piece. I’m not even going to mention the artist’s name. His standing atop the easel for 14 days is drawing attention enough. Good grief.
Monday, September 28, 2009
I’m tired, yet still compelled to keep going. Artprize is fairly intense so I suspect lots of folks are starting to feel the same. Looking at all this art takes a fair bit of energy, not to mention determination. Yesterday, after seeing 100,000 paper airplanes launched off the top of six buildings on Monroe Avenue, I headed for the countryside. As much as I’m enjoying it, and like eating crackers between sips at a wine tasting, I needed to cleanse my palette of all the activity downtown. It helped, a bit. I’m back at it today. Such an effort by so many is hard to deny.
I’ve seen over 60 venues now, likely more than most people, and still can’t believe there are about 100 more. A few of those are billboards, so a drive-by will make seeing them easier. I’ve made a point of hitting the outskirts. Friday friend Linda and I found our way to the tucked-away Newberry Place intentional community. Tim Lowly’s work always makes her cry, and sure enough did again. His “Culture of Adoration” was perhaps the most loving image I’ve encountered here. It’s of a severely disabled girl (whom Linda says is the artist’s daughter) as the study for a figure drawing class. I trekked over to Tanglefoot on Saturday and especially enjoyed Maureen Nolette’s curb series – who knew street curbs could be executed in such an interesting and refined way. Jeanne and I rode our bikes to the West Side and saw a number of works including the large scrap metal robin whose red breast was made from the hood of an old VW bug. We went up to the 28th floor of Bridgewater Place as well, GRs newest and tallest building. Seeing Denise Milito’s Living Breast series was worth the discomfort I felt at being so high up in the sky.
With feet firmly on the ground yesterday my spirit soared at the sight of the cheering crowd that overflowed the intersection of Pearl and Monroe. They came to see the red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple airplanes that were to fill the sky like a rainbow. Bands of musicians showed up to play the brief musical score they knew would be printed on the planes. A man on a ladder was poised to conduct all. Well, the rainbow affect didn’t quite hit its mark. With the tips removed for safety, the planes were aero-dynamically challenged. The crowd loved it just the same. And once the music began organized pandemonium set in. Estimated between 15,000 and 20,000, the crowd cheered the launch and it’s organizer who’s known for making unusual things happen around town. But mostly, we cheered fun. Was it art? Who makes that determination? In that moment I’m not sure it mattered.
Artprize organizer Rick DeVos is quoted as saying Artprize is a “social experiment.” A “remarkable movement” according to the minister of a downtown church. And in its fledgling year, there are plenty of grumblings about what’s not working – there always are with experimentation. I’m tired, it’s fun, and there’s much more to see and experience.
I’ve seen over 60 venues now, likely more than most people, and still can’t believe there are about 100 more. A few of those are billboards, so a drive-by will make seeing them easier. I’ve made a point of hitting the outskirts. Friday friend Linda and I found our way to the tucked-away Newberry Place intentional community. Tim Lowly’s work always makes her cry, and sure enough did again. His “Culture of Adoration” was perhaps the most loving image I’ve encountered here. It’s of a severely disabled girl (whom Linda says is the artist’s daughter) as the study for a figure drawing class. I trekked over to Tanglefoot on Saturday and especially enjoyed Maureen Nolette’s curb series – who knew street curbs could be executed in such an interesting and refined way. Jeanne and I rode our bikes to the West Side and saw a number of works including the large scrap metal robin whose red breast was made from the hood of an old VW bug. We went up to the 28th floor of Bridgewater Place as well, GRs newest and tallest building. Seeing Denise Milito’s Living Breast series was worth the discomfort I felt at being so high up in the sky.
With feet firmly on the ground yesterday my spirit soared at the sight of the cheering crowd that overflowed the intersection of Pearl and Monroe. They came to see the red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple airplanes that were to fill the sky like a rainbow. Bands of musicians showed up to play the brief musical score they knew would be printed on the planes. A man on a ladder was poised to conduct all. Well, the rainbow affect didn’t quite hit its mark. With the tips removed for safety, the planes were aero-dynamically challenged. The crowd loved it just the same. And once the music began organized pandemonium set in. Estimated between 15,000 and 20,000, the crowd cheered the launch and it’s organizer who’s known for making unusual things happen around town. But mostly, we cheered fun. Was it art? Who makes that determination? In that moment I’m not sure it mattered.
Artprize organizer Rick DeVos is quoted as saying Artprize is a “social experiment.” A “remarkable movement” according to the minister of a downtown church. And in its fledgling year, there are plenty of grumblings about what’s not working – there always are with experimentation. I’m tired, it’s fun, and there’s much more to see and experience.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Effort and Output
I’m struck by the amount of effort some of these artists (and in some cases their sponsors) have put forth to install their pieces in this event. I saw a large metal sculpture lying on its side on the bed of an industrial strength truck (not something you see everyday.) Surely a professional driver and installation crew was hired to drive that thing to GR. (I wonder too at the reactions of the people who saw many of these pieces driving down the highway.) There is the giant table and chairs that was lifted atop a bridge by a crane that everyone is talking about (it’s on the controversial list due to the fact it has both many thumbs up and many thumbs down.) A ladder sculptor engaged the community to bring their ladders downtown for him to borrow, and he’s received plenty of them. The tags that include each lender’s name are part of the work. I witnessed the delivery of two of the ladders as well, only with a much smaller and aging pick-up truck and a dad and daughter making the drop. Some of the installations are complex with many parts in need of meticulous suspension or gluing or that include multi-medias requiring electricity, water, or even the artist(s) themselves.
The distances artists have traveled is notable. I suppose the purse brought a number of them, perhaps the adventure - the artists I've talked to so far are having a great time. There's someone from Atlantico, which I never heard of. It's in Nicaragua from what I can tell. And Sonora, which I learned is in northern Mexico. I hope people make a point of seeing the work of the international artists both for the diversity brought and the effort taken.
Artists have really showed up for this.
I picked up an artist’s postcard last night that includes a quote from Einstein, “Imagination is more important than knowledge. For while knowledge defines all we currently know and understand, imagination points to all we might yet discover and create.” I appreciate the artists who put no boundaries on their imaginations, and keep pursuing the next idea or challenge that is presented them despite the effort. Their collective energies, here, now, are pointing to something(s) yet to be named.
The distances artists have traveled is notable. I suppose the purse brought a number of them, perhaps the adventure - the artists I've talked to so far are having a great time. There's someone from Atlantico, which I never heard of. It's in Nicaragua from what I can tell. And Sonora, which I learned is in northern Mexico. I hope people make a point of seeing the work of the international artists both for the diversity brought and the effort taken.
Artists have really showed up for this.
I picked up an artist’s postcard last night that includes a quote from Einstein, “Imagination is more important than knowledge. For while knowledge defines all we currently know and understand, imagination points to all we might yet discover and create.” I appreciate the artists who put no boundaries on their imaginations, and keep pursuing the next idea or challenge that is presented them despite the effort. Their collective energies, here, now, are pointing to something(s) yet to be named.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Heard of Artprize yet? It’s happening now in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan. It’s more fun than I could have imagined, it’s brought over 1200 artists to our town, it’s got all sorts of people looking, and it’s boosting the moral of my Michigan community. It also comes with a $250,000 prize to the artist whose work is voted best in show. Of course, we all have our own opinions on who that should be and the conversations and who to see and what we all think is creating a great buzz here.
I’m just one of the people buzzing. My name is Beth, and yes, I’m an Artprize geek.
I keep my event map in a plastic sleeve and highlight each venue as I see it. This makes it easier to plan where to go next. I’ve got my official 144-page “Your Guide to Navigating Artprize” paperback and take it with me as I peruse the city. I paid 15 bucks for it and it came with an orange rubber “voter” bracelet that gets me on the city bus for free during the event – bonus. I circle and make notations next to the artists I plan to vote for, and then check them off once I cast my vote. I don’t own a cell phone so texting my votes isn’t an option. Still, it’s satisfying to go to the website and click on the thumbs up or thumbs down. I’m mostly a thumbs up kind of girl allowing for all kinds of expression, although there is one artist that is definitely getting the big thumbs down. More on him later.
There are some real gems here. And some wonderful surprises. Like the black-and-white image of a swimmer projected on the outside of the art museum last night. It reminds me of an old-timie cartoon and it was fun to watch as my friend Linda and I rode by on our bicycle rickshaw. One of the Dufala brothers rode his toilet tricycle downtown during the lunch hour the other day…delightfully, it seemed perfectly natural to me. And I’m “following” an artist whose drawings hang in the lobby of the building were I work. His work is one of the gems I’ve found. His detailed execution is amazingly good.
I’m blessed to have work and also to work pretty much right smack dab in the middle of Artprize. The world headquarters is just across the street. I go out everyday for lunch with a different destination in mind. It’s not my goal to see all 159 venues, although I’ve already seen 42 of them, and it’s only the third day. Part of the beauty of the event is that the venues were volunteered. Restaurants, museums, colleges, city buildings, bridges, street corners, churches, the Grand River, and office buildings are hosting the art. Even a laundromat got in on it. Within a designated boundary, Artprize is pretty much everywhere. If you’re an art lover, and even if you’re not, this is big.
I’m just one of the people buzzing. My name is Beth, and yes, I’m an Artprize geek.
I keep my event map in a plastic sleeve and highlight each venue as I see it. This makes it easier to plan where to go next. I’ve got my official 144-page “Your Guide to Navigating Artprize” paperback and take it with me as I peruse the city. I paid 15 bucks for it and it came with an orange rubber “voter” bracelet that gets me on the city bus for free during the event – bonus. I circle and make notations next to the artists I plan to vote for, and then check them off once I cast my vote. I don’t own a cell phone so texting my votes isn’t an option. Still, it’s satisfying to go to the website and click on the thumbs up or thumbs down. I’m mostly a thumbs up kind of girl allowing for all kinds of expression, although there is one artist that is definitely getting the big thumbs down. More on him later.
There are some real gems here. And some wonderful surprises. Like the black-and-white image of a swimmer projected on the outside of the art museum last night. It reminds me of an old-timie cartoon and it was fun to watch as my friend Linda and I rode by on our bicycle rickshaw. One of the Dufala brothers rode his toilet tricycle downtown during the lunch hour the other day…delightfully, it seemed perfectly natural to me. And I’m “following” an artist whose drawings hang in the lobby of the building were I work. His work is one of the gems I’ve found. His detailed execution is amazingly good.
I’m blessed to have work and also to work pretty much right smack dab in the middle of Artprize. The world headquarters is just across the street. I go out everyday for lunch with a different destination in mind. It’s not my goal to see all 159 venues, although I’ve already seen 42 of them, and it’s only the third day. Part of the beauty of the event is that the venues were volunteered. Restaurants, museums, colleges, city buildings, bridges, street corners, churches, the Grand River, and office buildings are hosting the art. Even a laundromat got in on it. Within a designated boundary, Artprize is pretty much everywhere. If you’re an art lover, and even if you’re not, this is big.
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