Tag Archives: Intersections

GRAM’s popular exhibitions extended through ArtPrize

August 22, 2018Citizen Journalism, EntertainmentAnila Quayyum Agha, ArtPrize, Dana Friis-Hansen, GRAM, Grand Rapids Art Museum, Intersections, Monir Shahroudy FarmanfarmaianJoanne

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.

“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 winner returns to the GRAM in series of exhibits that represents diversity

May 31, 20183-bottom, Citizen JournalismAnila Agha, ArtPrize, GRAM, Grand Rapids Art Museum, Intersections, Monir Farmanfarmaian, Oswaldo VigasJoanne

Anila Agha’s “Intersections” is at the Grand Rapids Art Museum through Aug. 26.

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

This summer, the Grand Rapids Art Museum celebrates diversity with three shows featuring artists from Pakistan, Iran, and South America.

“It does turn out to be that way but it wasn’t exactly what we set out to do,” said Grand Rapids Art Museum Chief Curator Ron Platt. “We always strive to represent diversity in our programming, so we are really happy about the convergence of these shows.”

In 2014, Anila Agha took ArtPrize by storm with her installation “Intersections,” featuring a large cube with a light bulb in the center that helped to reflect out the patterns and ornamentation inspired from traditional Islamic architecture and design. The piece, which hung in the GRAM in 2014, won both the ArtPrize Public Vote and Juried Grand Prize.

It returns to the museum with the exhibit “Mirror Viariations: the Art of Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian.” An Iranian artist, Farmanfarmaian is known for creating work which draws inspiration from Islamic tradition and modern abstraction. Now 90, she was the first Iranian artist of her generation to use cut-glass mosaics as a medium, as art without religious function.

The work of Monir Farmanfarmaian is up through Aug. 26.

“These shows are very engaging for people of all ages and people who are art fans and people who are causal art viewers,” Platt said. “The Farmanfarmaian show includes intricate mirror mosaics crafting that I think is astonishing in how complex and beautiful it is.

“It also has, at its base. geometry which you know is a universal language in itself which is something that kids learn and study about, and everybody knows what squares, triangles, and rectangles are. It’s amazing to see what she is doing with those shapes.”

The “Mirrors Variations” exhibit is centered around large sculptural reliefs with surfaces of cut mirror mosaic and reverse-glass painting. The materials were used extensively in traditional Persian architecture, an inspiration to the artist.

There is a variety of programming planned around the Agha and Farmanfarmaian exhibits including artist talks, a film screening, and drop-in tours. For more visit, www.artmuseumgr.org.

In a separate exhibit, located on the first floor, is “Oswaldo Vigas: Transformations,” which is the first solo exhibit of the Venezuelan artist in the United States.

“The Vigas show is really interesting because it covers a 40-year period of his work,” Platt said. “It is paintings and drawings, and it looks at how his drawing practice forms his paintings but also shows how he moved through different styles but still remained interested in ideas about mythology and Latin American identity in his work.”

“Mirror Variations” and “Intersections” will be up through Aug. 26. “Transformations will be up through Sept. 2. The Grand Rapids Art Museum is located at 101 Monroe Ave. NW.

ArtPrize Announces Hospitality Spaces

September 17, 2015Local Entertainment, Our Cities, Recreation, Upcoming EventsAnila Quayyum Agha, ArtClub, ArtFan, ArtPrize Seven, Intersections, The HUBJoanne

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.