Look, Up In the Sky! It's a Bird, It's a Plane

Ever wonder what 100,000 paper airplanes look like when they're launched from several buildings in downtown Grand Rapids?  Earle and I sure did as we dashed to Monroe Street to witness this much anticipated event today.   We missed the first release and this is what we caught on camera.   But keep scrolling down to see some of the other launches!

Ready, set, go!   This event lasted for an hour, and paper airplanes were launched from several building in assorted astrobrite colors.   It was great fun and the crowd loved it.

Not a one was left on the street or the sidewalk.  

It was astounding to see how fast they were all scooped up.   The kids were collecting them as fast as they could.  I'm sure it was an event they will remember for a long time.  I know I will.

Destination 1111

Ric Carroll, our install expert, is also a piano-playin' expert.  He invited us to hear his band, Paucity, Friday night.  It was so cool sitting out under the stars at this huge old warehouse.
The band played outside on the old loading dock.  And if that wasn't enough, the warehouse was full of artist's studios and they were having a big open house.   We got to wander into these 800-1000+ square foot bare bone studios and meet the artists.   The place was packed with people and the really great part about it was all the families with little children there - a real community of artists, families, friends, art, music, food enjoying each other and the art.

When you hop on facebook, checkout Ric's band, Paucity.  Earle and I picked up a CD so we'll share their music when we get back.

Sheer Genius

This piece includes a series of sheer panels with photographic b & w images of the artist's family members.  Each one has a title:  "The Brother,"  "The Mother" . . . you get my drift.   In the midst of the panels is a  stripped down representation of the artist  which consists simply of black lingerie and a pair of bright red heels.

Here's one I forgot to post

Earle and I ran into a guy in a hallway the other day while we were checking out the art.  It's easy to spot the artists because they wear those little plastic wristbands that are so popular.  The registered voters wear ArtPrize Red  bands (which sometimes looks orange).  The ArtPrize guys must have figured artists are good guys, because we get to wear white ones!   Anyway, the guy we randomly met walking down a hallway goes by the name of "Rx."  He's an amazingly talented woodcarver and I wish you could see his piece up close and personal.   (Click on the image to expand the photo.)  It's  positively brilliant and just loaded with content!  Thumbs up to Rx.

Reflections

I walked outside tonight to get a couple of shots of our work from the outside looking in.  What I didn't realize until I reviewed the images, was the reflection of the city buildings on the window that frames one of my panels.  We pretty much spent all day inside alongside our work. This image is a great reminder that no matter what we're doing, or thinking about, our stressing about, or whether we're having a great time or not so great time, the world is still turning and we can get a much richer picture when we get the chance to expand our perspective and look at familiar things in a new way.

We met some extraordinary people tonight.  Tomorrow is our big day - it's the traveling brunch which will celebrate  a number of nearby venues and artists - including San Chez.

Then we'll have Monday  and time to check out more venues and come Thursday, my daughter, Jessica, will be arriving to check out more art.  I'm hoping to take a day trip and drive to Lake Michigan and check it out.

The leaves are starting to change here, just as I imagine they are doing back in Boiz-wah.  I'm looking forward to  a walk along the lake and maybe swishing through some real leaves rather than the paper remnants that I left scattered on the floor in my home studio . . .

Talk about busy!

Take a look at our venue - San Chez Bistro!  The place is packed and the food and beverage list is unlike any other!  Everyone is in awe of the amazing response to this event.  I just met a Graphic Designer who put it in a nutshell!  "The world is craving art!"

Just another day at ArtPrize

Yup, just another day in paradise.   There are a couple of latex artists here who deftly turn your everyday balloons into masterpieces.  And this artist's masterpieces actually walk down the street just like you and me!    They were walking across the street from San Chez today and I just had to run out and get their picture.

And I thought I was tired!

Take a look at this piece.  It sits right in the center of Grand Rapids outside the BOB  (Big old Building) that has been transformed to house restaurants, art, bars.  At the  top of the structure in the middle is a guy standng.  He's been standing there at the pinnacle of this enormous tripod day and night, night and day.  I suspect he sleeps (when no one is watching) in the area directly beneath his podium.   You might even confuse him with an Idaho cowboy with his western hat and the American flag waving in the breeze.  The weather is flirting with rain, so I hope he has a rainproof duster and a big  windproof umbrella!

Soooo much to see!

My apologies to the artist who created this superb sculpture.  I took this photo  last night with my cell phone and the lighting does not do this piece justice.   Click on it to enlarge it and notice how the artist rendered the drapery and hair.  I love this piece!

You never know who you'll meet!

We found that people were reluctant to enter our grove so the San Chez staff suggested we write on the floor in chalk to encourage people to wander through.  It's made a big difference and people really are wandering through.  San Chez has actually set up a small  table for people to dine in the grove, which Earle and I will  definitely have to do before we leave this great town!  Today is a very busy day here and crowds of people are on the streets and in the venues.  We were really excited to recognize Rick DeVos, the genius behind this ArtPrize event, actually wandering our grove. It gave us a chance to introduce ourselves and thank him for offering this stellar opportunity to participate in this incredible event!   We've seen him around town and are convinced he will see every ArtPrize entry!  How cool is that?

Well Connected? You betcha!

                                                                    

Here we are, two Idahoans enjoying a Belgium beer in a Spanish Tapas Restaurant in Grand Rapids, Michigan where the Dutch continue to shape and influence this beautiful city. And Earle and I sit with our Polish, English, Irish, German, Welsh, Scottish, Swiss and French heritage in a grove that celebrates Basque, Chilean, Brazilian, Mexican and Argentine immigrants in the Mountain West!   Tell me we're not all interconnected.

NO, it's NOT a waterfall!

This was the final photo of our evening last night.  The artist spins glass out of recycled bottle.  It sits outside one of the major venues here and this was shot about midnight.

The Super Collaboration!

This is the "Nessie" project - from a huge collaboration team of designers.  He/She/It emerges from the river in the heart of town.  Legend has it that a weird fog invaded the river just at the point of the install!   Do0do - doodo!

Take a look on the top of the blue walking bridge.  There's a installation of a hand-painted table and chairs on top.  This is the midwest center of furniture design - so appropriate!

Berlin Wall

Some of the ArtPrize art is exhibited at the Gerald Ford museum. We wandered on in and took a snapshot of a portion of the Berlin Wall that was donated to the museum by the Meijer family in GR.

There are three big philanthropist families in this town, probably more. I'm aware of these three:  The DeVos family and VanAndels are both part of the Amway dynasty.  And young Rick Devos is responsible for ArtPrize.  And then there's the Frederick Meijer family that  has the incredible sculpture garden in town.  I'm definitely not going to miss the opportunity to visit the sculpture garden.  Check it out!

An apology to the artists

Just want to say that I'm sorry I'm not including the artists names and the title of the artists with the posts.  It violates everything I know from writing Art History papers.  But I will tell you if anybody asks, I do have the information to support the images and when I have the time I will go back in and add the info!

Citrus, Anyone?

One of the works in the Amway Plaza hotel.

One of our Room Mates

These are ceramic leaves suspended over a beautiful ceramic base.  It's in the hallway between the two restaurants at San Chez.

Hip Hip Hooray!

Talk about great volunteers!  Meegan, who offered her home to Earle also served as  a volunteer registering voters on opening day.   A round of warm applause for Meegan!

Friends in the Grove

I made some great pals three years ago in Volterra who live in Detroit and they drove to GR last night for dinner.  Meet Matt and Rachel, two architects that went to University of Detroit - Mercy.  Oh, and thats the installation behind us!

This is for all you printmakers out there.  Here's the print and the block!  It's a big block and print.  Think Jill Fitterer and Denise Lauerman!