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ArtPrize: Just what do you say when faced with 1700 works of art?

It feels like the world is descending on Grand Rapids this week.  The media is hyped—we’re getting coverage in prestigious publications like New York Times and Wall Street Journal. Bloggers are blogging and photographers racing around, hoping to be the first to get the really fabulous shot of what will be the winner.

Facebook is clogged with entertaining posts and event invitations.

What’s it all about? ArtPrize. The second year of the 19-day art extravaganza that has taken over our town.  More than 1700 pieces of art will be on view in a three-mile radius of the central city. It is a wildly successful event that starts on Wednesday.

The challenge, of course, for us regular folks who plan to see as many of the pieces as possible, is, “What the heck do we say” about each piece? Don’t snicker.  This is a serious question.

I deal with it all the time.  I love art.  I love museums.  I love art galleries.  I love sculpture parks and now I Love ArtPrize…..it’s the best thing that has happened in the Midwest in a long time.

I also love hanging around with people who make, appreciate or have intelligent things to say about art.

Unfortunately I struggle with what to say. Mostly what comes out is,  “It’s pretty.”  “Great colors” or “I like it.”

Or totally lacking in originality I might say, “It’s interesting.”  That translates to “I haven’t a clue.”

Really, it is mostly banal stuff.   Eventually I give up and smile and nod knowingly.

Well, last week at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago I found the perfect solution.  It’s a cute little red book called Art Criticism 101 and it is filled with pithy remarks to make when faced with the mysterious stuff we call Contemporary Art.

This book with the subtitle, “You too can be an art critic” is a compilation of 101 commentaries, insights and observations culled from contemporary art publications. The author suggests you use them liberally when the need arises.

Here are a few examples:

  • “Fittingly, the artist does not intervene, allowing us to draw our own conclusions.”
  • “This work stands as a powerful metaphor for a cooperative, collaborative relationship to the earth.”
  • “This work glows with compacted energy and sheer hedonism.”
  • “This painting seems subjectively driven and creates a dynamic energy.”
  • “This work reinforces ambiguities rather than answers.”
  • “These works speak to the subconscious of a media-saturated culture.”

These are a heck of a lot better than, “Hmmm.  Nice.”

You get the idea.  The book is fun and funny and I’ll think of it when I meander the ArtPrize sites.  Maybe even follow the author’s advice to  “Trot out whatever commentary that comes to mind.  They are not piece-specific, so there’s no need to worry that what you say seems to have little relevance to the picture at hand.”

The book’s goal is,  “To enable you to view any art show with equanimity. It will free you of the onerous burden of shooting from the hip in hope of concocting an erudite sound bite on the spot.  This in turn will allow you to concentrate on enjoying—or disparaging—the art at hand.”

I kinda like that.

Post Author
Susan J. Smith
Susan's career includes writing for newspapers, lots of community work and a wonderful family life. Now she is enjoying traveling, photography and writing for DesignDestinations and Grand Rapids Magazine. She welcomes you on her journey and appreciates your comments.

Comments

9 Comments
  1. posted by
    margaret
    Sep 20, 2010 Reply

    This cracked me up Susan – and so fitting for what we are all embarking upon this week and next!
    Thanks for your blog!
    Margaret

  2. posted by
    teliczan
    Sep 20, 2010 Reply

    I’ve already started scoping out ArtPrize, it’s even better than last year, can’t wait.

  3. posted by
    Meegan
    Sep 21, 2010 Reply

    Fun and funny. Hope I bump into you at ArtPrize!

  4. posted by
    Melanie Rogers
    Sep 21, 2010 Reply

    I agree… best thing to happen for a long time, and it’s just beginning! The city will have to become quite judicious over the years about what stays and what must be removed, to keep room for the, presumably, increasingly spectacular pieces to come. Rick DeVos has developed a brilliant concept to enhance and further diversify Grand Rapids, putting it on the map more than hospitals and corporate development ever could!

  5. posted by
    Peggy DePersia
    Sep 21, 2010 Reply

    I’m already kind of crazy about the elephants.
    What is fascinating to me is the way this event is evolving even as it grows. I am amazed at all of the ways various ‘enterprizes’ (may I misspell this word…just once) are hooking in and supporting this amazing art extravaganza.
    As I’ve looked at the murals popping up here, there and everywhere, I’ve jokingly said to myself:
    It’s like Grand Rapids is getting tattooed….all over her body.
    This event certainly is creating major buzz; it’s splendid.

  6. posted by
    smithsj
    Sep 21, 2010 Reply

    I love the image–Grand Rapids getting tattoed. Thank you for the comment.

  7. posted by
    Kim Cornetet
    Sep 24, 2010 Reply

    I feel like I am there. Can’t wait to see all the art there from here- FL

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    Naperville Teeth Whitening
    Oct 13, 2010 Reply

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  9. posted by
    ArtPrize 2021 | DesignDestinations
    Oct 1, 2021 Reply

    […] ArtPrize: Just what do you say when faced with 1700 works of art? […]

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