Art Everywhere!

We had planned to go downtown to see some of the art entered in the ArtPrize competition this weekend, but after hearing a number of people talk about the large crowds last weekend we began to rethink our plans. The weather looked perfect for Wednesday so Cory decided he'd take Wednesday off so we could go to ArtPrize and then he'd work on Saturday. There were definitely lots of people around downtown, but the crowds were not overwhelming and the weather couldn't have been more perfect. Joshua had a few pieces he for sure wanted to see which included the "Steam Pig", the mermaid and the giant penny. He loved it all, but especially the art pieces he could get close to and touch. He hung with the whole walking around thing very well while Matthew lost interest in sitting in a stroller or running around with nothing to do very quickly. Our family tended to enjoy the art pieces that were made from different mediums the most, toothpicks, straws, pennies, etc. In the end Joshua's favorites were hard to nail down, but the giant penny still remains at the top of his list (not mine though) and apparently a lot of other people agree with him as this sculpture is now in the top 10. Hopefully our little artist was inspired by all the amazing art he got to see at ArtPrize! Check ArtPrize out if you haven't already done so, it is so fun to walk around and literally see art everywhere! "Steam Pig"

"Pondering" made out of bronze.


"When We Are Mammoths"



"A Dragon for Jonas"



The artist encouraged people to touch his artwork which Joshua was very happy to do!

"Dancing with Lions"

Another favorite because the kids were actually able to touch these pieces and discovered they were completely made out of nails.

Not sure of the name of this piece but it said you could touch and make the bells ring. Again Joshua happily obliged.

Matthew was enthralled with the snake at the bottom of the sculpture.

There were two of these giant hand carved stones that you could roll around in sand and it would one made imprints of leaves while the other made imprints of fish.

Again, not sure on the name of these, but they were neat to look at.

"The Seven Days of Creation" created entirely out of crayons.

Walrus heads.

A giant bird in front of the public museum that Matthew really liked called "ENGULFED".

"Play Me I'm Yours" pianos were all over and the boys took time to bang on each one they saw!

"Pamlico" - a mermaid made completely out of toothpicks; she was amazing and one of our favorites! We actually got to meet the artist who made it.

"Wheelbarrows and Shovels" - we were intrigued by the pattern of dirt on the floor.

"Reef installation" - Joshua liked this one because it was all sea creatures made out of metal.

"Grand Rapids" - an amazing model of the cityscape made out of cut paper.

"Five Mouths" - another neat piece made entirely out of drinking straws!

"Grandfather Monk Luan" was a very cool life-size sculpture which looked so real it was incredible. Joshua actually got to meet the artist; the artist had Joshua crouch down and look at the sculptures eyes, again very life-like, which he thought was really cool.

"Dragon"

"River of Light" made of all hand-blown glass "stones".

Some cool sea creatures made out of recyclable materials.

Not exactly what I think of when you say art, but the kids loved these concrete recliners with audio speakers above them and flashing lights.

They found another piano to bang on!

Joshua's favorite, the giant penny otherwise known as "Helping Mom One Penny at a Time". Love the thoughts behind it, but wasn't really wowed by this one ; obviously others were as it has made it in the top 10.

Below is a video of a piece that Joshua really enjoyed mostly because he could touch it and basically play in it. It's literally just a bunch of plastic tubes hanging from the ceiling and some of them are attached to devices that create sounds. Interesting, but again, not exactly art in my book.