Monday, October 5, 2015

Artprize 2015 in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Yes, I had to get "in" on the fun at Artprize with this interactive piece on butterflies.
Artprize 2015
Grand Rapids, Michigan
My daughter and I enjoyed our visit to Artprize 2015 last week. This is such an amazing art competition, I'll let the Artprize site explain it to you-
"For 19 days, three square miles of downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan, become an open playing field where anyone can find a voice in the conversation about what is art and why it matters. Art from around the world pops up in every inch of downtown, 
and it’s all free and open to the public.
It’s unorthodox, highly disruptive, and undeniably intriguing to the art world and the public alike." ARTPRIZE
The actual ARTPRIZE is worth the artist's traveling to this destination. One Grand Prize piece is voted on by the public and one Grand Prize winner is chosen by a committee of distinguished judges. Each winner receives $200,000. A total of $500,000 is awarded to winning artists.
I have posted some of the artwork we saw in our short four hours of viewing. It would take the entire two weeks to see every one of the 1550 entries at the 162 venues. Get on your walking shoes. Oh, no, you get to sit back in your easy chair, put on some soothing music, and just imagine yourself on the tour with us. Enjoy!
One of my favorite installations. So powerful.


Suspension. The figures seem to be floating in this ball.

"Ascension directly refers to the supernatural passage into Heaven that Jesus made on the 40th day after Resurrection." 

The Happy Garden with many colored flowers like these really did make me happy when viewing it.


This black and white painting captured the essence of peace and tranquility.
These are birches in a forest near Ludington, Michigan.


The artist painted these tigers so well I wanted to pet the soft, fuzzy fur of their coats.

Bold colors in this wall sized mural. I wish I could've photographed the entire piece.

This mural of lighthouse and beach is made from small squares of leather.

The painting captures the frustration of so many parents dealing with kids and video games! Made me giggle, but there is so much truth here.

Each painted square was a work of art on its own, but when added together, it was mind blowing.

"Movement" Another one of my favorites. It's hard to see, but these are white gloves inflated and free floating on this pond. They all travel together as the wind blows them. I especially liked the artist's explanation of the piece. Read it below.

I'd award him a prize simply for this lovely, inspiring desire he has to bring a community together.
These ceramic green frogs on the log were filled with humor and delight.

Check out our tour last year at Artprize here.
Have you attended an art competition anything like this one? Come to Michigan in October and we'll take you along with us!

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