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Monday, September 30, 2013

Artprize 2013

Those of you who've been here for a while have seen my prior posts on Artprize.  It's an event that has happened annually in Grand Rapids for the last 5 years.  It's one of the biggest art competitions in the world, with one of the biggest prizes.  It lasts for 19 days, covers 3 square miles and gives $560,000 in cash prizes.   This year there are 1524 art entries.  The biggest prize is $200,000 which is given to the winner of the public vote.
We look forward to this every year, spending a day or two walking around the city and admiring or questioning some of the entries.  Bob and I both had the day off on Monday and enjoyed a beautiful day wandering around.  Here's some of the pieces we admired or questioned.  There are always those that are trying to make a political point and some that look like they were made by a 2 year old.  :)  But mostly, we were awed by the talent shared.


A car covered with metal work
 

This heart is made of different wooden signs

 

Pencil sketches of eyes
 

Bigfoot was sighted in the city!
 

How do you like this duck with all the little ducklings?

 

Here's a "threat" made of license plates to the man who started Artprize.  It says:
Rick DeVos, Hand over the  $200,000 Artprize or else. Wait 4 further instructions. Come alone to my venue with unmarked $20 bills or else.  No Cops or else.  The public will vote for me anyhow or else.



A dragon that one of the many school groups were enjoying.

 

A black and white drawing made of dots.

 

Here's a close up of the eye.

 

A beautiful painting of a barn, with a train going behind it.

 

This one is called "Stand-off".  I love it!

 

Painting of Lincoln.

 

This fish is made of sequins.  It was about  10 feet tall and glittered in the sunlight.



This is a living wall, made of all kinds of plants.  It was really pretty in person.

 

This dragon was another favorite, especially when the fire was shooting from it's nostrils!
I'll share the top ten with you on Thursday

15 comments:

Nancy said...

Mari, these are amazing and I know it must have been fun walking around and seeing all these pieces of art....The sequined fish and the dots picture....awesome....

Mari said...

Thanks for the tour Mari! I don't go anymore because of the crowds. Pics will do just fine for me! Can't wait til you share the top 10!

Cheri said...

Amazing artwork. I found the pencil sketch of eyes freaky looking. So many great artists though.
Cheri

Amazing wonders in my life said...

Wow.... Love ducklings n nemo.... Amazing work....

Anonymous said...

So happy you two had a pretty day for admiring so much talent. It must take incredible patience to make some of these!

Susan said...

WOW. What time went into some of those....amazing. I would very much enjoy seeing something like that. Glad you get to each year.

Hootin Anni said...

Goodness...these are extraordinary!!! I'm partial to the sketches and dot work, but they're ALL superior works of art, most definitely.

Linda said...

Love it!!! Our pastor at our former church makes the license plate signs. He has an awesome talent. Loveeeeeeeeeeee the car. Again, him & his wife collect VW'S. Blessings

Unknown said...

That is awesome. I would love to see it sometime. It would be hard to decide the winner for sure. Thanks for sharing.

LuAnn said...

How fun and amazing !!

Jennifer Hays said...

This sounds like a fascinating event. I love to visit art installations and museums, though I don't get to do it very often now that I have kids. I look forward to getting back to it eventually. Thanks for sharing!

Terri D said...

What an amazing event!! Wow! I would love to see that. Thanks for sharing your favorites and I look forward to seeing the winners!

Rebecca said...

Oh, oh! Every year I say I want to attend this. How much longer IS this?

What is YOUR favorite?

Jenny said...

Oh wow. I would SO enjoy a day wandering around this event. I LOVE that "or else" exhibit, and also the barn is brilliant. The fish of sequins! How spectacular! I'm so jealous but very happy you and Bob were able to have this great art-filled day together.

Just A Southern Girl said...

My favorite was the "threat" to Rick DeVos. hahaha

Although all the pieces were very interesting. I love that it's all kinds of art from all over.