Artprize Humanities Reflection Paper

      ArtPrize

Humanities Reflection Paper

By Michael Simmons

Michael Simmons

ArtPrize 2014 Grand Rapids

Attended: October, 4 at noon

ArtPrize is an international art competition which is open to any artist and entries are voted on by the public. “It invites artists to try out new ideas on a large and diverse population of people and then find their own voice in the conversation about what art is and why it matters.” This year, ArtPrize began September 24th, setting Grand Rapids up for their largest population in attendance seen yet. The first weekend of Art Prize was chaotic but that was expected. For 19 days, three square miles of Downtown Grand Rapids experienced a major increase in population due to the GRAM, The Amway, Devos Center, and the BOB. Each of these attractions supplies the most statues, paintings, portraits, and other works of art.  Due to the increase of population in the city, it is impossible to reserve a room at any hotel near the area unless you book months before! The atmosphere of ArtPrize was very artsy and happy, the people who were in attendance seemed to want to be there and were very intrigued by many pieces. The weather was also enjoyable, with pure sun and no clouds, which positively added to the overall atmosphere. There were many different mini-events going on during ArtPrize at various locations. Outside of the GRAM, which is the Grand Rapids Art Museum, there were many vocalists who would play their guitars and sing their own music, and there were also many mimes whom would walk around and engage the crowd. At one point along the path of art was an artist who was doing live painting. Once he was done with the painting, he would sell his artwork to the attendees.

Inside the GRAM there are three floors full of many pieces of art. When I was in Grand Rapids I was able to witness first hand the detail and time these artist put into their work. One of the best pieces featured at the GRAM was “Intersections” created by Anila Quayyum Agha.  This piece is made using Islamic geometric spaces that is to influence the feeling of fluidity. The detailed patterns and amazing ingenuity that composes this piece is absolutely spectacular. There was another piece of art at the festival called “Lost and Alone – Suffering in Silence” that I found very interesting. It is a painting of a women blindfolded walking through a field and she is about ankle high in water. She is walking with her one hand in front of her, guiding herself somewhere. The detail is unbelievable; she is in a gorgeous red dress with four black birds above her. This image represents people struggling to find their way in a world without guidance, such as people that grew up without positive role models or moral examples to show them the way. This piece also represents individuals struggling to do the right thing even though they are not always sure what that is. I thought this was a great piece of art, because it is spot on with how some people may be feeling based on the economy and struggle that people are going through today. It tells people to never give up, and no goal is too big. In my opinion this piece of art is suppose to give hope to all those people that are struggling. The color, detail, and meaning of this piece is a true masterpiece of.

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