A view of VLM’s “Sword in the Sphinx”. (Courtesy of the artist) 
VLM’s “Andromeda” marble ponytail. (Courtesy of the artist) 
A scene from video “Cut Copy Sphinx” by VLM. (Courtesy of the artist) 
VLM’s “Medusa” marble ponytail (Courtesy of the artist) 
A scene from the video “Pony Hotel” by VLM. (Courtesy of the artist) 
A view of VLM’s “Sword in the Sphinx”. (Courtesy of the artist)
By K.D. Norris
Art and history will blend, or maybe meld tougher, at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park as the venue’s 2021 contribution to ArtPrize 2021 will be selected works of Virginia Lee Montgomery including her modern take on an ancient work, “Sword in the Sphinx”.
The exhibition, which includes other sculptures and videos located in Meijer Gardens’ new Welcome Center, will open on the opening day of Artprize, Sept. 16, and close Oct. 31. The exhibit of the work is supported by a Project Grant from ArtPrize.
Meijer Gardens is an official ArtPrize venue as part of the 11th annual ArtPrize competition. (And WKTV Voices will be present at ArtPrize.) ArtPrize exhibition areas will be free and open to the public during regular Meijer Gardens business hours. All other areas will observe regular hours and standard admission fees.
The sculpture by Virginia Lee Montgomery (VLM, as artist is often called), “Sword in the Sphinx”, is a surreal adaptation of a French 18th century statue often found in gardens.
VLM, according to her website (virginialeemontgomery.com) is a multi-media artist who described herself as: “Working across video, performance, sound, and sculpture, her artwork explores atomic consciousness from a metaphysical feminist POV. Her artwork it surreal, sensorial, and symbolic.
“It shifts in subject matter from ponytails to particle accelerators, to syrups, stones, moths and machines as VLM deploys an idiosyncratic visual vocabulary of repeating gestures like drilling, dousing, or reaching and recursive symbols like circles, holes and spheres. Her diverse artistic movements interrogate the complex relationship between physical and psychic structures.”
Visitors to Meijer Gardens will, in addition to the ArtPrize entry, will see additional sculptures by VLM located in the Courtyard Level of the new Welcome Center, as well as two short videos shown in the O-A-K Orientation Theater. The additional sculptures, “Marble Ponytails”, are named after ancient deities, including Aurora, Andromeda and Medusa.
Additional exhibition programing
While the ArtPrize exhibit is free and open to the public, there will be additional drop-in exhibition programs which are included with admission but do not require advance tickets or registration.
“VLM is a brilliant creative mind who works across different media, including sculpture and film,” Jochen Wierich, assistant curator and researcher at Meijer Gardens, said in supplied material. Her “Sword in the Sphinx” work “is a contemporary interpretation of an ancient figure that blends with our gardens and sculpture collection in stimulating ways and will be a big draw for ArtPrize visitors.”
“History, Hair, and the Body: Conveying a Feminist Perspective” will be presented Sunday, Sept. 26, at 2 p.m., with Suzanne Eberle, PhD., Professor Emerita of Kendall College of Art & Design.
The talk, according to supplied material is described as: “Like Virginia Lee Montgomery, many contemporary artists layer historical references and elements of the human form to address personal, social, and political issues related to feminism. Join us as we explore how and why these artists embody a complex feminist perspective in exciting, moving ways.
“Composite Creatures: A Brief History of Monsters” will be presented Sunday, Oct. 17, at 2 p.m., with Amber Oudsema, Meijer Gardens curator of arts education.
The talk, according to supplied material is described as: “Part human, part animal: Images of composite creatures date back to prehistoric times. Their function in evolving cultures varies from the malevolent monster to the benevolent protector. Join us for a brief exploration of how these mythical beasts have appeared in art, from the ancient to the contemporary.”
For more information about ArtPrize 2021 visit artprize.org.
For more information about Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park visit meijergardens.org.
