While driving down Seward NW at 4th street, one cannot help but notice the barricade hiding the work going on in the parking lot. A watchtoweresque creation has been built and sits atop the wood panel wall as to deter would-be spies. Searching online did little to help me discover more about the contents behind the barricade, though I am sure somebody at the West Side Art Prize Venues (Facebook) may know something. A reach of the camera over the fence did not help much, though a mural could be in the works. That still does not explain the watchtower though. Hmmm…
This is just one of the secretive projects in the works for ArtPrize. In recent weeks, fans of ArtPrize have learned about many hush-hush exhibits and performances. Rob Bliss, who is organizing 100,000 Paper Planes and Melodies Over Monroe, entered the competition using a pseudonym and kept the performance a secret until he felt the time was right. Just this week, it was announced that Meijer Gardens is sponsoring an installation at the Calder Plaza. That is about all of the information we know, because (of course) the rest is a secret.
At a recent ArtPeers meeting, we discussed the effect that a sudden transformation has on the perception of the onlooker. Though a slow trickle of art into Grand Rapids is welcome and wonderful, reserving as many details and exhibits as possible until the event arrives will result in a true flood of artistic creation that will amaze and possibly overwhelm those lucky (and smart) enough to get out and see it all.
Stay tuned as more secrets are revealed to us all.
Thank you for shedding some light on the secretive side of ArtPrize.
If I’m not mistaken, the “watchtower” is part of a building being renovated by Bob Israel. I agree though, every time I drive by the fence I want to jump out and scale it. I guess that helps build excitement.
Had never heard about Meijer Gardens doing something on Calder Plaza. That is really cool. Can’t wait to hear more.
Makes sense Joe. The positioning of it seems ironic. I was there on a Sunday and was waiting for somebody to pop up and snipe me ;-)