Tiny World Tours, in partnership with the Grand Rapids Art Museum, (GRAM) announces an intensive curated tour of ArtPrize 2018 on Friday, September 21, 2018. If you enjoy exploring unconventional art through lively conversation with experts and art lovers, join us for this expedition provides a day-long deep dive into the highlights of one of the most talked-about art events of the year.
ArtPrize is an open, independently organized international art competition which takes place for 19 days every other fall in Grand Rapids, Michigan. More than five hundred thousand dollars in prizes are awarded each year, which include a $200,000 prize awarded entirely by public vote and another $200,000 prize awarded by a jury of art experts. Art is exhibited throughout downtown Grand Rapids—museums, bars, public parks, restaurants, theaters, hotels, bridges, laundromats, auto body shops, vacant storefronts and office spaces.
This day-long experience with GRAM Director Dana Friis-Hansen begins at 9:30 am with a private Welcome and Curators Tour of GRAM's ArtPrize 2018 exhibition. Visitors to ArtPrize 10 at GRAM will find the Grand Rapids Art Museum's most ambitious presentation yet—dazzling installations adapted to interior and exterior public spaces, technology-based interactive experiences, monumental sculpture, and more. Several themes can be found within the artwork on view—Venezuelan artist, Saskia Jordá, uses her work as a call to action to end violence and hunger. Michigan-based artist John Gutsokey addresses loss, grief, and the aftermath of hate crimes, as well as gun violence, homophobia, violence against people of color and the transgender community, and LGBTQ rights. Arizona-based artist duo Lauren Strohacker and Kendra Sollars shed light on the displacement, reintroduction, and loss of wildlife in urban areas, and have collaborated with Blandford Nature Center to create their time-based entry, Animal Land.
Learn about the special features of GRAM's acclaimed building, the world's first LEED Gold art museum, designed by Thai-born, Tokyo-trained, Los Angeles-based architect Kulapat Yantrasast.
Our day continues with a delicious lunch together at the Downtown Market where we'll choose our own lunch from the many tasty options. Celebrating its fifth year, the lively foodie destination features 20+ indoor market vendors, 2 full service restaurants, monthly outdoor market events, hands-on cooking classes, and more in a distinctive multi-level facility at the edge of downtown.
At Frederick Meijer Gardens, we'll meet with the DisArt curators Elizabeth VanArragon and Jill Vyn, who organized the international sculpture exhibition, Process and Presence. The exhibition offers audiences a survey of contemporary Disability sculpture through artists whose work represents local, national, and global perspectives on the lived experiences of disability. Through the finest examples of three-dimensional practice (sculpture, ceramics, performance, installation and video art), this exhibition emphasizes the relationship between disability and the fundamental human experiences of change and embodiment.
Next, we'll explore awesome new art installations within the former Christian High School on Franklin Street with SiTE:LAB Director Paul Amenta, who will share the backstory of the exciting and ambitious site-specific projects. The 70,000 sq foot neighborhood school will be dramatically transformed by art installations and projects by a wide range of artists. We are especially anticipating "Heidelbergology; 2 + 2 = 8" by Tyree Guyton, the visionary artist responsible for creating The Heidelberg Project in Detroit. Over the course of thirty two years Guyton transformed the two city blocks that had been his childhood neighborhood. The site has been a cornerstone of Detroit's cultural renaissance, and is currently one of the city's leading attractions.
We'll end at the ArtPrize Clubhouse, meeting Artistic Director Kevin Buist, and learn about the genesis of the festival, what makes it unique, and learn about the new changes for the future.
This ArtPrize Art Adventure culminates in a cocktail party with local, regional, and national cultural leaders and artists in a loft overlooking the city.
Space is limited--reserve your spaces to enjoy a selection of exclusive artistic, culinary, and cultural experiences unique to Grand Rapids, plus exchanges with artists and cultural leaders.
Summary:
This will be a full day-long art experience including the following:
Guided tours of several Grand Rapids ArtPrize venues, including the Grand Rapids Art Museum (before it opens to the public!)
Lunch on us at the Grand Rapids Downtown Market
An afternoon trolly tour with guided tours of other important ArtPrize installations where we'll meet the artists and curators
A visit to the ArtPrize Clubhouse, to gain insider's insights from the Artistic Director
VIP Cocktail party with artists and luminaries including heavy hors d'oeuvres at a downtown penthouse condo home overlooking the Grand River
Flight and accommodation bookings are not included. There's always lots to see and do in the area (and we'll be delighted to advise you), so if you're traveling from afar, consider coming a day or two early or staying later.
* Cancellations are non-refundable, and tickets are transferable through September 19th.