So there you are at an art fair, the judges come through and seemingly ignore your booth, but then you turn around and make a nice sale. We used to say, you can either win the prizes or you can win the sales. Which one do you think keeps the bills paid?
From September 18-October 6 a large public competition is held for big money in Grand Rapids, MI, ArtPrize. It touts the world's largest Art Prize - $200,000 awarded to an artist and who gets to choose? The public.
I believe this was the fourth year. Over the years there has been some sniping about the "public's choices", not up to the standards of the art critics, so another prize was added of $200,000 chosen for a Juried Grand Prize.
The winner of the Public Vote:
"Sleeping Bear Dune Landshore", an art quilt by Ann Loveless
The winner of the Juried Grand Prize:
"Ecosystem", Carlos Bunga's site-specific work located in one of the galleries of the former Grand Rapids Public Museum. Please do click on the link to learn more about this winner.
So, there you have it -- which one would you have chosen and which one are you at the art fair?
Here is the complete list of winners: http://www.artprize.org/blog/october4
And here is some of the criticism of the event: http://www.mlive.com/opinion/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2013/10/how_to_quell_criticisms_of_pop.html
Although with over 1500 entries and half a million votes being cast, this is not too shabby a showing! Grand Rapids "gets" it -- good job, GR.
Comments
I could hardly stand it at Arts, Beats & Eats when I was overseeing the awards jury and they wouldn't give a prize to Norm. I'd hear all their commentary and see the votes -- yes, we did sell well there, but for crissake, why didn't he win? I'm looking forward to seeing your new work. I'll bet you are really enjoying your time in art school.
I want both. I want sales, but, getting an award is always a real thrill. I'll take sales over the award. However, I want the award when the prize money is substantial, like Gasparilla.
So, Barry -- do you want the award or the sales at a show?
This installation was very, very cool! The art quilt very nice, but not overly creative, to my mind. You could expect to see something as nice as this at a good art fair, not to denigrate its quality -- but a $200,000 prize?
Grand Rapids is an amazing place. I had no idea until I attended the first Art Prize -- so there you have the De Vos', Meijer's, and the Princes (Blackwater) -- what you going to do? Hooray for all of these families for sharing their wealth.
I've always been critical of the public awards. However, the real award winner is Grand Rapids. They definitely "get it." When all of Michigan was hurting economically, GR was booming and all because of this promotion. Invest half a million and generate millions. I can't wait until Rick DeVos runs for governor. And, btw, if any of you make it to Marquette, make sure you go see what the DeVos family money did for the art department at Northern Michigan University. We have the best facility in the state.