ArtPrize 2010

On Saturday Nathan and I went up to Grand Rapids to spend time with my parents and check out a bunch of the works on display for ArtPrize, which is an art competition that is held all throughout downtown and open to the public. It was a bit gray and chilly outside, but still nice enough to walk around. It was so neat to see all the different artists' work. I have to say that I definitely gravitate more to sculpture and 3-D art than I do the 2-D. We visited about halfway through the competition, after the top 10 had been announced. We saw 6 of the 10--not bad!

Nathan's favorite was the "Elephant Walk" installation. I guess there's a reason it was outside of the Children's Museum. :) He's been talking about the elephants (Dada, Mama and Baby) all weekend! This is one of the top 10.

I forget the name of this work, but it was another of the top 10, and pretty cool. My only wish was that it didn't have to be viewed through a window.

"The Steam Pig Experiment," another of the top 10 finalists. It is huge!

Nathan wasn't so sure about the steam pig at the time, but has spent a lot of time talking about the "big pig" ever since. It certainly made an impression!

Gotta love art that you can touch.

We thought that this was probably Big Bird's nest.

Nathan touched the scales and said to my mom, "Pinecone!"

"Dancing with Lions" was my favorite exhibit of the day, and another top 10 pick. I love that the artist used landscaping to really set the stage for the lions.

Are you wondering what picture I'm taking?

Here it is!

Dad said this photo reminds him of some of the close-ups I take of Deuce.

What do you think? Any resemblance?

This was one of Dad's favorites--this huge rock bounces!

I loved the sense of movement in this one. It was hard to capture in a photograph, but I was compelled to try.

Another one of the top 10, "Svelata." It was gorgeous, but you couldn't touch it.

My favorite work of art. :)

We took a break for lunch--sandwiches and cookies!

A classic Nathan expression!

Another top 10, "A Matter of Time." We only saw this one from a distance, as it was mobbed with a crowd every time we went by.

We headed in to the Public Museum for a break from the chilly air and a look at more exhibits.

"Mama bear! Baby bear!"

Fish!

The last of the top 10 entries that we saw, "Helping mom one penny at a time." It was pretty cool, but not my favorite of the top contenders.

Mom, Nathan and I, and the Grand River.

Stopping to tie my shoe and pose for some pictures.

It was great to see downtown Grand Rapids so busy on a Saturday afternoon!

Back at Mom and Dad's house, Nathan had to spend some time in his favorite reading spot and play with his new favorite toy--the airplane.