Kickstarter

I will create a public large-scale exterior intervention in which the sculpture simultaneously imposes and interacts with an old riverside mill site adjacent to the Grand Rapids Public Museum.  The sculpture will be exhibited in conjunction with ArtPrize Grand Rapids, an annual public event attracting more than 200,000 visitors.  ArtPrize is one part arts festival and one part social experiment where the public chooses the best art project. 

 

The sculpture that I will create will be unique and specific to the site at the Museum.  It will be constructed on site during a ‘mini’ residency lasting approximately two weeks, allowing the public to witness first hand the creation process as I personally construct the sculpture.  The final form will be dependent on funding and engineering but generally speaking it will be a towering structure with an exposed cave like interior allowing visitors to experience the piece from beneath in addition to surrounding views.  The particular structure that I have in mind is a chaotic geodesic configuration or lattice like structure composed entirely of uniform sized lumber, most likely 1000 to 4000 pieces of 2”x4”x8”, that allows for multiple interpretations including but not limited to, skeletal remains, bio-mimicry, architecture, growth, and non-hierarchical organization.   At the end of the festival if all components of the sculpture are not sold, or the entire sculpture is not sold, I will dismantle the sculpture to be repurposed or recycled locally in Grand Rapids.

 

The desired affect will ultimately be to stimulate dialogue towards the intervention as to its metaphorical nature.  As an intervention, is it an infestation, interpolation, or industrial anomaly?  Ultimately the answer lies with the citizens and voting members of ArtPrize and Grand Rapids.

 

Funds raised will go towards airfare for the artist, food/lodging during ‘mini’ residency, materials, and other sculpture related costs.