site: lab workflow

I've mentioned the Grand Rapids arts group SiTE: LAB many times on this blog before.  They are, bar none, one of the best things to happen in this town in the last several years.  Last weekend they held a letterpress-focused event/exhibit called Workflow at the old Grand Rapids Public Museum, and it was, of course, amazing.  I took these photos with my fancy new phone--most of them while holding a large handbag and a cup of beer, too, so they didn't all turn out so well.  But they give you a flavor of the event.

On a related note, I am now on Instagram.  You can follow me there (my profile is here, smallearthvintage).  I'm trying to find interesting people to follow there, and if anyone can give me tips on how to do that, please leave a comment.  I've found that doing searches for tags sometimes works, but more often just turns up pages of pouty-faced "selfies" (ugh, I hate that term).

And finally: if you have sensitivity to salty language, proceed with caution, because some of the following images feature it.

There were also cool items from the museum's archives, including this display of various styles of furniture hardware.

And this McKinley chair--so named because one was owned by President McKinley--which was designed by David Wolcott Kendall for Grand Rapids' Phoenix Furniture Company in 1894.

xo

K

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

art and nature

It was not planned, but this post follows my last post, about artist Anne Siems, kind of perfectly!  Local Grand Rapids arts group SiTE: LAB put together another show at Blandford Nature Center, and because Andy and I have to check out anything SiTE: LAB related, we went on Friday evening.  (We went last year, too.)  Just like last year, it was sultry, but beers from Brewery Vivant kept us cool and our thirst slaked.

Blandford has beautiful wooded trails, and the artists make great use of the setting.  I love this macrame tree cozy.  

Blandford also does great work, taking in injured wild animals for rescue and rehabilitation.  Andy once brought a turtle in who had a cracked shell after it was hit by a car.  We stopped by and visited the large outdoor cages of rescued owls, hawks, turkey vultures, and even a merlin!  You can see some of  the rescued residents on Blandford's website, but be forewarned: if you're like me, you'll end up spending hours listening to the linked audio files of various owl and hawk calls.

Hee hee!

These sea creatures were mounted in the small stream that runs through Blandford.

Aw!

xo

K