ArtPrize Grand Rapids

Today I talked my friends into going down to see the ArtPrize venues. Not all of them mind you, but as many as we could handle in a six-hour block of time. It was an adventure that began with getting off at the wrong exit and ended with six very pained feet, and three very tired individuals. But what we saw, and what we felt was amazing.

There was art.

It was overwhelming.

SOME FAVORATES IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER:

AT: 45 Monroe Ave.
Artist: Kevin Bertram

“I REALLY MUST WIPE MY MOUTH AFTER EACH BITE OF THIS HAMBURGER”

Here there is a room and there are clouds, or masses rather, and I will tell you that when you walk in you don’t get it. What is the point you will ask, and hell the kid next to you will say this and more. I watched 10 people just walk into the room and not see it. The book in the room, or two books rather. One small and one large. The large one is a dictionary the second, which sits next to it is the one, 44 pages small and nondescript, but don’t let that fool you. Maybe you will see it, or maybe not. But I think I found it amazing.

Quote:

“Notice: A modest mass has two parts. There is a bottom. There is a top. A respectable mass has three parts. There is a bottom. There is a top. And between them, there is a middle. And this middle is something. It is also some things. However, do not confuse the middle with all things. All things are betwixt, and betwixt all things there must be a middle. Yet! This middle has a middle, and between the middle’s middle and the middle of the middle there is something. Something that is full of some things. A sum of some things that equates to something. The middle isn’t anything.”

I really wish I could get a hold of this text. it was interesting.

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AT: The Old Federal Building
Artist: Alan Pocaro

“Light Passes Through It”

Light is powerful. Harnessing that power can yields astounding results. Here is a work were light combines into a work that pulls at feelings and makes you have an experience. There are panels, clear with common symbols and images on them as they float in space. The light passes through them. The light passes through, landing on the walls combining, and changing.

See it here: www.modern-casual.com

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AT: The Old Federal Building
Artist: Jun Suk Min

“a Grove”

Movement. A ball. A machine in motion. I’m not sure I really saw the symbolism of this work before looking at it again in retrospect, but I did look at it again and it is fun to interact with while you are there.

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AT: The Old Federal Building
Artist: Jun Suk Min

“Sometimes I…”

It is rare for me to find the “social commentary” works part of my list of “astoundment” but this one does. It expresses fear, love, hope, anger, hate… feelings, thoughts. Together, through simple statements. And then, it allows to to chage them, comment on them. Make a statement of your own.

Quotes:

“Sometimes I do this just to get your attention.”

“Sometimes I dot care what you think you see”

“Sometimes I imagine today will be diferent”

“Sometimes I suffer from grand delusions”

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AT: Found roaming around
Artist: Jimmy Kuehnle

“Stop. Talk to me. We are both people.”

Take a man but him in an inflatable that is reminiscent of a red spiky thingamabob and this is what you get. Art that is fun.

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AT: The Old Federal Building
Artist: Stafford Smith and Ritsu Katsumata

Fearscape

TVs, violin, and static noise. This would be some peoples worst nightmare and for others a calming day dream.  I really wish I had been there when the violinist was performing, but this is powerful regardless. So go. (In truth just about everything in the Federal building is amazing so starting there, or ending there, is my recommendation)

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AT: Blue Bridge
Artist: Sarah Grant

Table and Chairs

Sometimes all you have to do is take a little something enlarge it, enlarge it some more, and then well make it even bigger. This will come to your attention based on the sear massiveness of it, but when you look at it, suddenly a table and chair becomes far more interesting than before.

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AT: Open Concept Gallery
Artist: Quinn Gregory

“Infinite Hope”

Three words. Rind Stone Jesus.

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Perhaps more later.

There is oh so much more to talk about.

NOTE: The image is of all the things I collected as I traveled from venue to venue…remnants of all I saw.