Anila Quayyum Agha - WKTV Journal

By Grand Rapids Art Museum

Visitors to the Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM) during ArtPrize 2018 will get a special experience as two current exhibitions, Anila Quayyum Agha: Intersections and Mirror Variations: The Art of Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian, will be on display through Oct. 7, the last day of ArtPrize 2018. During ArtPrize, there will be no admission charge for these exhibitions.

In 2014, Intersections won the ArtPrize Public Vote and Juried Grand Prize, the first and only time in the international art competition’s history. Four years later, Intersections remains equally as popular.

“It was exhilarating to watch GRAM’s ArtPrize visitors encounter Intersections in 2014, and there’s been an amazing response with the return of her work this summer,” said GRAM Director and CEO Dana Friis-Hansen. “We’re excited to give our guests an extra surprise, allowing them to extend their visit during ArtPrize 10.”

Agha’s work is presented alongside Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian, an Iranian artist with an international reputation for sculpture and drawing that fuses traditional Persian patterns based in mathematics with geometric abstract art. Her work develops out of her interest in the serial progression of rectilinear forms, such as triangles, pentagons and hexagons.

The work of Monir Farmanfarmaian will be up through ArtPrize.

“Monir Farmanfarmaian is one of the most fascinating artists in the world—truly an artist of the 21st century,” commented GRAM Chief Curator Ron Platt. “We are delighted to share her works with the diverse audiences that come through GRAM’s doors during ArtPrize 10.”

Both artists create work which draws inspiration from Islamic tradition and modern abstraction, creating objects of great beauty and depth. GRAM’s presentation of the two solo exhibitions is part of its commitment to highlighting works of art by diverse artists year-round.

During ArtPrize 10, the Grand Rapids Art Museum will feature 10 artists along with the exhibits of Farmanfarmaian’s and Agha’s work.

For GRAM’s hours and admission fees, visit artmuseumgr.org or call 616-831-1000.

ArtPrize has revealed details for its 2015 hospitality spaces. Provided by CWD Real Estate Investment, the ArtPrize Clubhouse, ArtPrize HUB, Hospitality Center and Access Art Lounge are designed to serve as beacons within the ArtPrize district, providing visitors with places to meet, relax and gather information throughout their ArtPrize journey.

ArtPrize Clubhouse
The ArtPrize Clubhouse, presented by Wolverine Worldwide and located at 9 Ionia Ave, will once again serve as a key downtown resource for ArtClub and ArtFan members as well as credentialed Artists, Venues, Sponsors and Media throughout the 19-day event. Hours are 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday through Sunday.

ArtPrize HUB
The ArtPrize HUB provides the perfect starting point for visitors to ArtPrize Seven. Located at 41 Sheldon Blvd, The HUB will serve as the flagship ArtPrize retail space and central meeting place. The HUB Theatre will house all Critical Discourse programming, including “Why These Finalists?” — a two-part, televised event taking place October 5 and 6, during which art experts will compare and speculate upon the Jurors’ Shortlist and Public Vote Final 20 artist entries. Photo of The HUB by Joel Bissell | MLive.com

At The HUB, ArtPrize visitors can register to vote, get comprehensive assistance from on-site ArtPrize concierges, browse the ArtPrize Seven retail store and view the stunning realization of Anila Quayyum Agha’s ArtPrize 2014 winning piece Intersections.

“I am thrilled to show Intersections at the HUB for ArtPrize Seven. It will be a wonderful homecoming!” said Anila Quayyum Agha. “Over the past year, I have often thought of the deep and lasting impact this art competition has had on my career, and I feel heartfelt gratitude — and am still slightly stunned.”

ArtPrize Retail
The new ArtPrize retail line, designed in conjunction with Conduit Studios, includes Michigan-inspired designs, with a vintage feel. Merchandise will be on sale at the HUB starting September 19 and at 11 additional locations throughout the ArtPrize district during the 19-day event.

Pop Up Park
Returning for ArtPrize Seven is the Pop-Up Park designed and provided by Landscape Design Services. The Pop-Up Park will be located outside the ArtPrize HUB and will take over the West side of Sheldon Blvd. Created to provide visitors with a fun, temporary green space to relax in during the event, the Pop-Up Park will also host a variety of daily education programming, including scavenger hunts and after-school activities.

Access Art Lounge
The Access Art Lounge at 50 Monroe Avenue has been designed, in partnership with Disability Advocates of Kent County, to ensure that visitors who need a wheelchair, a quiet space, or resources to accommodate their individual needs, have an easy access point to the event. The Access Art Lounge is equipped with resources to help visitors with specialized mobility needs make the most of ArtPrize Seven. Hours are September 23 to October 11, from 12-8 p.m. Monday – Saturday, and 12-6 p.m. on Sunday and ArtPrize Awards day.

ArtPrize Hospitality Center
The ArtPrize Hospitality Center located at 40 Pearl (entrance at 130 Ottawa) is where credentialed ArtPrize visitors including Artists, Sponsors, Venues and Media, will go to pick up their pre-printed badges. Hours are 12 – 8 p.m. Monday – Saturday and 12 – 6 p.m. on Sundays and ArtPrize Awards day, starting September 19 and running through October 11.

Michigan House
Following a successful residency in Austin, Texas at SXSW, Michigan House is coming to ArtPrize Seven — located at 40 Pearl and highlighting Michigan creativity across a wide variety of disciplines. The brainchild of Creative Many — a Detroit-based statewide economic development organization for the arts, culture and creative and design industries — Michigan House will provide visitor experiences including concerts, speakers and panel discussions as well as a variety of classes including yoga and photography. Michigan House will be open September 23 to October 11 from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. daily.

Important Dates
ArtPrize Seven: Sept. 23-Oct. 11, 2015
Round 1 Voting: Sept. 23 at Noon – Oct. 3 at 11:59 p.m.
Final 20 Announcement: Oct. 4 at 1 p.m.
Round 2 Voting: Oct. 4 at 2 p.m. – Oct.8 at 11:59 p.m.
ArtPrize Awards: Oct. 9 at 8 p.m.

For detailed information, visit the ArtPrize website.
Images courtesy of ArtPrize, except where noted.