G-Sync - Our Future In A Handheld Device

Editorial by Tommy Allen
10/1/2009


Was ArtPrize perfect this first week?  No.  But it was one of the most aggressive moves by a grandson of a local billionaire I have ever witnessed in my life. My hat is off to Rick DeVos for choosing not to retreat to a quiet life of rocking chairs, sipping single malt scotch and pristine sandy shorelines.  Simply put, he is in a class all of his own now and we are all the better as an arts community because of his first-year event.

Now the pressure is squarely on us as we prepare to enter week two.  And I hope my words today will have some impact on your vote based on one important factor: the world is waiting to see what we will crown the top work of art.

In 1973, Grand Rapids was crowned by the outside world for hosting the “art event of the decade” called Sculpture Off The Pedestal.  Now we will crown one who has come to town again but this time with the world’s largest art price money of $250,000.

The dialogue ArtPrize hoped for months ago has already begun as crowds (and I do mean crowds) of people are talking about art like they haven't before. I have viewed many of the major pieces and I, too, have a strong opinion what should win, but will keep that endorsement private.  I will be voting for what I love, but with an eye on the future.

After a week of playfully voting, the last vote you will cast during week two will not just be for a work of art that we could potentially place on display in some museum or park setting, but one we give to the future where they will judge what we have deemed worthy of our vote.

The public vote is a brilliant idea since I would dare say this city has never embraced art on this level ever before. I wonder if we would have got the Calder had a system like this were in place then.  I would venture to say based on the historical record of that time we would not have it given the amount of public outcry for such a “different from the known” piece. And yet, even with all the turmoil over the Calder choice by a group of people, it has become one of the most treasured in the entire city.

I wish I could have written this editorial before the first week of voting had begun, but first year events almost always get a free pass.  This is something that all media people chat about in cocktail chatter always ending with “…but next year it will be a different game.”

So I have heard many of you who have grabbed my arm, emailed or even tweeted your concerns.  I have attempted to be as level handed as possible in conveying your message to our readers.

We, as artists, are absolutely happy to have an event that places art in the spotlight and in no way should anyone think the artists are saying that this isn't a great thing.  What I have seen is that every time I hear someone being critical of an element,  someone lectures the person about how good this has been for Grand Rapids.  We know and even agree 100%!  But people need to be able to be free to be critical...to give a thumbs down if you will.  This is part of democracy, too.

And so while people wrestle with questions and opinions ranging from why does art need a non-profit attached to be accepted, excessive over the top marketing, “polishing a turd” revisionist recaps or what makes a truly great work of art, the conversation has begun and even after October 8 when the name of the winner is read in front of upwards of 20,000 people, the conversation will no doubt still continue.  

For me, G-Sync will return to covering the same diverse range of events we have always celebrated each week and devote more time to being less long-winded.  Most importantly, I will be curious, as is every artist or venue, if the crowds will continue to explore the center city after the event ends.

Up or Down, ArtPrize’s place in history is solid, but how it will be viewed is up to our future.  

And that future is in that mobile device in your hand. Vote the future.

Choose Art…and often.

Tommy Allen, Lifestyle Editor

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Terry Johnston Photo of Tommy with Becky Ernst at the Activesite ArtPong Party by Steelcase's Coalessse.  Can I have my chair now?  <wink>




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