SiTE: LAB at ArtPrize 2012...and an outfit

Last year I declared the ArtPrize had jumped the shark after a giant mosaic of a crucified Jesus was the a finalist (and then went on to win) the top prize, which is decided by popular vote.  There was some controversy after this--plus a real fear that actual artists would stop coming to ArtPrize when only the biggest, most pandering-to-a-west-Michigan-crowd pieces had a chance of winning.  Happily, this year a juried prize has been added. And anyway, nothing was going to keep me from seeing the latest from SiTE: LAB, the arts group that consistently brings thought-provoking and edgy art to Grand Rapids, always using interesting (and often abandoned) spaces, to do so.  This year, they were providing space for several artists at Grand Rapids' former natural history museum, the old Public Museum (which they had previously transformed in 2010--see my posts about it here and here.)

Large sod islands by Blane De St. Croix hover over the museum's atrium, where once a full scale model of a whale was hung.

Specimen, a glass sculpture by Wes McGee and Catie Newell.

Artists not only used the Public Museum's old exhibit spaces, but often used the actual items from the exhibits and other items from museum storage.

I loved how Scott Hocking incorporated old books into this piece.

This had the best title card ever.

I love the "*shown here without the box" part.

This piece by Design 99 called Displacement was basically an estate sale taken apart and put back together behind glass in a museum.

View of Blane De St. Croix's UnNatural History from above.

Bubbles emerge from the floor in Lisa Walcott's Breathing Room.

Part of the Complex Movements/Tiff Massey multimedia piece.

That's just a taste of what you can see at SiTE: LAB.  If you're in Grand Rapids, or thinking of coming to see ArtPrize, you must visit the SiTE: LAB exhibits.  You are really missing out if you don't!  Tomorrow I'll be checking out the artists at the UICA, and I'm sure--if last year was any indication--that there will be more great stuff to see there!

This is what I wore.  I decided to be all artsy and mix prints: a new-to-my-closet 1960s leopard print dress and a been-in-my-closet-ages 1950s poppy print cardigan.  And yes, it's boots weather!  Sort of.  It's that time of year when I wear boots when I'm not quite ready for the tights.

xo

K

my best friend

It was my best friend Stephani's birthday on Monday, and she spent a long weekend with us. Look at her! She's just as cute now as she was when I first met her at the Henry Holt fax machine almost 20 years ago!

If I didn't know Stephani, I wouldn't have met the love of my life, Andy, and I wouldn't be selling vintage clothing, either.




We always have a blast together. We started out the weekend at a Polish hall, sharing some delicious Polish food, courtesy Grand Rapids' Pulaski Days.




Aside from eating, Stephani and I also love walking around. So we headed downtown with Andy and Lucy for some ArtPrize viewing.

Lucy and a rubber tire sculpture in Calder Plaza.




Steph and I both loved the Beerhorst Family Wonder Wagon.






We had a delicious dinner out with friends at Corez Wine Bar. (As usual, Steph and I, shared our meals. Having a best friend who has similar tastes and likes to share is fantastically convenient!) Afterward, we visited a local favorite, the Pickwick Tavern, where Andy cracked us up with stories of his childhood.





We ended the weekend at an orchard, where, after fortifying ourselves with hot cider and doughnuts...




...we entered the Corn Maze!





I felt pretty safe from the Children of the Corn in the company of these two--they're both strong and fast.




It was a fantastic weekend! But then, I always have fun when Stephani is around.




Happy Birthday to you, my friend! Here's to many more years of sharing food, pleasant strolls, afternoon cocktails, movie and trash TV-watching, and road trips. Love you!

(If you want to see more photos from our weekend and ArtPrize, you can check them out on my Flickr page.)

xo
k

old tradition, new fun

At the beginning of every fall we make a point of attending Grand Rapids' Edelweiss Club's Oktoberfest. I need to go--to celebrate my German heritage, watch people dance, eat a brat, and drink good German beer. Andy needs to go, also--mainly for the beer. It's become a tradition, and a good way to welcome in autumn.

This past weekend was a big one for us. Oktoberfest and the start of Grand Rapids' gigantic, superfantastic ArtPrize. (Follow the link to learn all about ArtPrize.) We checked out some of ArtPrize's giant outdoor sculpture offerings by night with our friends Mark
and Roberta (who was celebrating her birthday--happy birthday, Roberta!).

I took some photos at both events. (And I promise--there's some vintage in here, too!)


Oktoberfest tents under a beautiful evening sky.




Dancers!




Zicke zacke, zicke zacke, hoi hoi hoi!




A cute Polish boy I met at Oktoberfest.




Puzzled. Why is the wiener schnitzel sandwich served with tartar sauce?




Random cute dog (okay, well, it's Lucy) shot.




This is the outfit I wore Saturday night. It's the dress I found on this thrift trip. Yes, it's on the dress form. Trust me--this is a lot faster and easier than directing Andy in taking 350 photos of me that I will obsess over and hate. I love the scalloped neckline on this dress, and I wore it with my go-to vintage black shrug, which has cute mini flower appliques all over it.




And now, a few ArtPrize photos. I have to apologize for the poor quality of my photos. I am not used to taking nighttime photos, or using my flash.

A streetlight through the trees.




Very cool work-in-progress glass sculpture.




Mechagodzilla?




Loved these little flying dudes--they look like something out of Star Wars.




Nessie in the Grand River. Love it, but thought the roaring audio effect was a bit over the top.




Taco truck. Not really "art," but a thing of beauty nonetheless.




Next weekend promises even MORE excitement, if you can believe it. My best friend Stephani is coming to visit, and it's her birthday! Not to mention, it's Pulaski Days.

xo
k