Saturday, October 05, 2013

art is no stranger to the street

In my last Friday Fragment post I offered up just one picture from our visit to the Art Prize in Grand Rapids, MI.  It's difficult to determine which pictures to post.  Art Prize is a big big free art contest.  (more info at artprize.org)  This is the second year we have explored it.  One of the rules require all entries to be new, so you know you will be seeing art you have not seen yet.

using art piece for a selfie


Just now, when I went over to collect the Art Prize link I learned that the 2013 winner is this quilt:


the artist got $200,000 for this 100 sq ft quilt

This sculpture was in the top ten.  It had water flowing out of the bodies.


exercise and water play combined


After we parked (compared to Chicago this parking is easy and inexpensive) I noticed even the stairwell on the parking garage was involved.





If I were a giant, I could sit anywhere and fish.


shhh don't wake a fishing giant


At their city art museum (of course the art museum is one of the venues) we attended (thanks to my wife's connections) a nice reception (free drinks and appetizers).  There was this large acrylic sculpture titled "Grand" which is the name of the river flowing through Grand Rapids.

don't get wet

After I snapped (do you still "snap" pictures on smartphone or is it touched?) this picture and seeing the people walking just beyond the piece, a flash of an idea shot off in my brain.  I was surprised my wife played along and helped.  (note this was BEFORE the drinks)



hey I'd like another rum and coke



You can find more photos from around the world at Unknown Mami's Sundays in my City (click the button)

Unknown Mami

38 comments:

savannah49 said...

well done, missus, for taking the last photo! LOVE it, sugar. great photos of what looks like a very cool event. xoxoxo

lisleman said...

Yes she did frame it well. I didn't even need to crop it. Thanks

BLOGitse said...

YES, I love all of these!!! Of course the best shot is of you :)
That fishing giant made me smile...waves of acrylic: how on earth the artist got this amazing idea.......
Happy Sunday!

Tara R. said...

The quilt is amazing. Before I read the caption, I thought it was a painted mural.

Joanne said...

I'm sure the winner is thrilled beyond words. I would have had a hard time settling on the few pictures you used.

Laurie Matherne said...

First, I must say your selfie was great. However I LOVED the old man by the sea. Cool. Thanks for sharing.

Judy said...

Amazing pictures! I love free art shows!

lisleman said...

thanks - best shot? funniest shot

You can read about the artist and background at the Art Prize site.

lisleman said...

They had a how it was made. I don't remember much but they had some large sewing machines. thanks

lisleman said...

I suspect so too. I probably will use more of them in another post on the show. thanks

lisleman said...

Yeah he was in the top ten. The pole which I believe was a long tree branch went way out into the river and they anchored his fishing line. It appeared he was fishing for giants. thanks

lisleman said...

free yes that always adds to the fun. Because the show is so large and lasts about 3 weeks, I believe the show is a positive for the city budget.

Mrs4444 said...

This is a terrific post, Bill; I enjoyed the art, as well as the humor. I have to ask, though....You mentioned water "coming out of" the people sculptures; tell me more....haha

unknownmami said...

Put Pie says it looks like you are swimming in chocolate water. I love the fishing giant.

BLOGitse said...

ps. never been to Chicago, nor other interesting ciities...How about you, have you been to Europe? (Americans don't have a need to travel abroad, you have everything in your own huge country!)

lisleman said...

Oh yes - of my international travels (mostly work) Europe was the most common destination. I even lived in Ireland for a number of months once. Unless I have mistaken for a different blogger, didn't you live in Morocco? I have a tag/label "travel" that brings up much of this. Traveling abroad is good.

lisleman said...

Oh how nice, thank you Put Pie (I assume your mom and dad call you that but if they don't ask them why you have an internet alias at such a young age). Wow I didn't know you shared my blog post with your kids. I'm sure you probably give it a quick look before you share it since I occasionally post items that are probably more 'R' rated. Not often but I do consider it a blog for mostly grown ups. I like the fishing giant too. thanks

lisleman said...

I recall the artist statement (each entry has a card explaining the background of the piece) said something about the spiritual flow of water or some esoteric idea like that. I wonder if he just thought it cool to make the water flow from the woman's breasts. Both are wearing loincloth. thanks

Vidya Sury said...

Love the photos! The giant is so cool! and so is the quilt!

lisleman said...

thanks - If you are interesting in learning more about them you can read about the artist and background at the Art Prize site.

Vidya Sury said...

:-) I am there right now, ogling! :D Thanks!

lisleman said...

Good - nice to know that the links put into the post are used.

unknownmami said...

She happened to look over my shoulder and notice the art. Normally she is not allowed on my blog hops.

lisleman said...

that's good to know. Also good to know she knows a good blog when she sees it ;)

Bearman Cartoons said...

haha...the last picture is great. Just like Venus Demilo. Everyone was staring at the front so I went to the back and had my wife take a pic of me staring at her butt.

lisleman said...

Oh that's a good one. Did you ever post it? thanks

Kathy said...

Haha...love that "rum and coke" shot. Can you get ME one too while your at it? :)

lisleman said...

thanks - wow if I could build a site that allows members to share drinks together on the internet, I would be wealthy. A virtual adult party with real drinks.

Cheryl P. said...

That really looks like an interesting art fair (or whatever it is considered) I go to a lot of these kinds of thinks and they don't tend to have that much variety. Usually heavy on the paintings, drawings, photograph and sculpture. I have never seen any with quilts or something like the acrylic water. Very neat.

lisleman said...

thanks - The variety is large. There are paintings, sculptures, metal work, wood cravings, textile, art from just recycled material. If you check out the link you'll see more than I took pictures of. Much of the art is humorous even without me in the picture. I'll post some funny ones for next Sunday.

Nita said...

Looks like an awesome exhibit, so many cool art pieces. Love the snoozing giant and Grand. I do like your edition to the Grand exhibit though, maybe the artist will consider adding to it.

lisleman said...

thanks - you know whoever buys the piece will probably have a party. I want to publicly state that I will attend said party if invited.

longhollow said...

Now that looks like a great use of a day! I love the last photo!!

lisleman said...

thanks

Dorothy in Oz said...

That really does look like water! And I love the fishing giant!!

lisleman said...

thanks - the giant is a fun one. When I read about the process the artist went through for the water one, I thought it should be much easier to do than that. I don't know maybe making good waves is hard.

Secret Agent Woman said...

The last one made me laugh - great shot!

lisleman said...

thanks

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