GRAND RAPIDS, MI, JULY 20, 2016
The Grand Rapids Art Museum has selected 14 artists to showcase during its ArtPrize Eight exhibition, Past/Present/Future. The artists chosen have diverse backgrounds and work in a variety of media ranging from sculpture, video, photography, tapestry, ceramics, painting, and jewelry. Each of the artists examine the exhibition’s theme in various ways, whether they are addressing dramatic moments in history, memorializing individuals or events, assessing current cultural conditions, musing on time, or envisioning life in the near or distant future.
“Past/Present/Future brings together art that is about looking forward, looking backwards, or looking at the here and now,” said Ron Platt, Chief Curator. “Some of the artists are thinking about the history of art itself. Others are imagining what life will be like in the future.”
Prominent artists Kiki Smith, Dario Robleto, Ori Gersht, Saya Woolfalk, and Kenneth Lum are among the 14 set to compete at the popular ArtPrize venue. While ArtPrize artists and venues typically connect through an online matching process, GRAM has a history of inviting both nationally and internationally acclaimed artists whose work lends itself to the exhibition’s theme. The Museum also had a rich pool of local talent to draw from; two of this year’s participating artists are based in Grand Rapids. The Museum invited 11 artists to participate in ArtPrize Eight, and connected with 3 through ArtPrize’s online matching process.
“It is a diverse exhibition and full of surprises,” continued Platt. “Past/Present/Future features paintings, tapestries, huge murals, and silver jewelry. The art is beautiful, thoughtful, compassionate, and some is really fun. One of my favorites is a video of a family building a spaceship together and traveling into space.”
GRAM’s Level III galleries — which traditionally display select works from the permanent collection — will be closed during ArtPrize Eight for renovations in preparation for Iris van Herpen: Transforming Fashion, on view October 23, 2016 through January 15, 2017.
About ArtPrize
ArtPrize is a radically open international art competition and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. For 19 days, three square miles of downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan, become an open playing field where anyone can find a voice in the conversation about what is art and why it matters. Art from around the world pops up in every inch of downtown, and it’s all free and open to the public. It’s unorthodox, highly disruptive, and undeniably intriguing to the art world and the public alike. ArtPrize 2015 will take place September 21 to October 9.
About the Grand Rapids Art Museum
Focusing on art, design, and creativity, GRAM provides diverse platforms for experiences, ideas, and dialogue that enrich the human spirit and build practical learning skills. Through dynamic exhibitions, collections, learning initiatives, and community collaborations, GRAM increasingly serves as a cultural beacon and civic anchor. Established in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids, the Art Museum is internationally known for its distinguished design and LEED® Gold certified status. Established in 1910 as the Grand Rapids Art Association, GRAM has grown to include more than 5,000 works of art, including American and European 19th and 20th century painting and sculpture and more than 3,000 works on paper. Embracing the city’s legacy as a leading center of design and manufacturing; GRAM has a growing collection in the area of design and modern craft.
For GRAM’s hours and admission fees, visit artmuseumgr.org or call 616 – 831-1000.
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