Some of you who've been with me for a while may remember ArtPrize. It started in 2009 and takes place every Fall in the city of Grand Rapids. It's an untraditional art contest where artists from all over the world can share their art, and the people that come to see it can vote on their favorites. The art is displayed all over, outside of buildings, in museums, banks, restaurants and painted on buildings! This year over $400,000 will be awarded to different artists based on jury votes and popular votes. The top popular vote piece will get $100,000!
Bob and I went to walk around and see some of this years art. I will say that we were a little disappointed this year, because it seems more and more of the art seems to have some statement on politics, the earth, violence... and often those pieces don't look so much like art to me. For instance, hanging clothes on a line and writing messages on them was one of the pieces. But, to each their own! We still had fun walking around and seeing things. Here's a few pieces we liked.
and this is the photo they used as a pattern.
I'll end with this. It's not part of ArtPrize, but one of my favorite spots in Grand Rapids. I love the old building, reflected in the new.
There were hundreds of pieces all over the city, so this is just a taste of it. It's a great time to visit Grand Rapids!
28 comments:
Some really beautiful pieces, Mari!!!
What a fun event! It's too bad that there were so many political pieces. I really like the ones you showed in this post. Whenever I hear of Grand Rapids, I think of Gerald Ford. Wasn't he from Grand Rapids?
I like that last one but they’re all unique.
These are beautiful and the one with M Freeman is just incredible. The last picture is beautiful. It was a nice outing.
I love this, what a wonderful idea! This is something I would just love to see! I do agree with what you say about art in your first paragraph. The Morgan Freeman portrait is unbelievable!! The first one is so detailed and complex. But I think my favorite are those wrapped trees!!
Thanks for sharing. I like the old building reflected in the new and all the babies.
A great event and great artworks! Thank you for sharing the pictures.
Wow! Pretty amazing work! I'm still trying to figure out the portrait of Morgan Freeman. Not sure I understand what you mean about it being just one line? How can that be? Pretty amazing. I love seeing all the creativity that went into these pieces of art. I wish my son Scott could see this and enter the contest sometime. Great idea! I enjoyed this. Thank you for sharing it with us.
They are all really wonderful. Such a fun event for the artists and the community.
What an interesting way to spend some time. "Potential" is my favorite of the ones you shared, but they were all so unique in their own ways.
I like the Morgan Freeman piece.
very interesting pieces of art and some really talented artist. This is some really good prize money as well.. Some people are so creative and have such a vision for artwork. I sure enjoyed seeing each piece..
I love the yarn wrapped trees.
That last photo is stunning. What a creative display of architecture. The art is amazing. I love the line drawings and the knitted pieces. Some people are just so talented!
People can be so talented and creative! And have such God given talent! Thanks for a peak - I always find it all so intriguing and interesting to see what folks do.
Fascinating pieces of art. I guess "they" say that art is in the eye of the beholder.
I think all of the babies in that picture have Potential.
I remember doing a one line drawing in high school art class. Nothing like this one for sure but it was difficult and satisfying to draw a portrait and another one of a rose without lifting the pencil from the paper for the entire drawing. Haven't thought of that in years.
That's a hefty prize for the winners.
Sue
How absolutely clever, all of it! I can see why you wanted to visit this place!
I would love to see all of it especially the old and new building. the knitting and the screws are really special because of how they were created. Maybe I will fly out there and tack a couple of my tacky drawings on a tree. ha ha
I liked your artwork photo the best!
Thank you for sharing these.
Lovely to see them all, I especially liked the woven tapestry with yarn wrapped trees.
Happy midweek wishes.
All the best Jan
What a great event for Grand Rapids! I do remember you posting about this before. Will there be an announcement of winners at some point? I would love to see the winning pieces. I really love that woven piece with the trees. Very nice!! xo
All those were fascinating in their own way!
I had a co-worker who retired who once entered a painting there a long time ago. He won a prize but do not remember what. Dont see him anymore so could not even ask. Those mosaic ones were a tret. I think you captured some nice artwork for being not what you thought it use to be. Janice.
I do like the pieces of art you show on your blog. I love the trees!
Truly amazing artwork!!
That knitted portrait is really cool.
I really like the Morgan Freeman portrait but am confused by what you mean that it is just one line? Did the artist just draw the whole thing without moving the pen off the paper at any point?
Lots of interesting and creative pieces.
I am a HUGE fan and lover of all things trees. Love both of these tree ones and I'm with you on the art. I just wanna be art. True story ... when I was a kiddo I entered into an art contest. When I walked down the hall, I saw the twins had done a really brain-wave sorta art piece. I was like, well, the brain twins will win. Guess what? They didn't. I did with cartoon silliness. I'm a fan of the silliness in art.
Been baking bread now that the oven works and it's so nice to make sliced bread again at home. Thought of you when I baked it.
The mosaics are my favorite art piece but I agree that the reflection of the old building in the new is the most captivating image of all! xoxo
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