History is full of examples of folks who like to keep things in an orderly fashion as they acquire objects. Whether it be art, shoes, or even those garish state spoons your grandma loved to display in her kitchen as proof that she once got around, collecting is, for better or worse, a part of our culture.
Before the Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM) welcomes the public on Sunday, Feb. 5 to view their latest show, “Finders Keepers: West Michigan Collects,” members will have an opportunity to attend a special opening preview party for this exclusive and original exhibition. (GRAM also celebrates the opening for “Black Waves: the Tattoo Art of Leo Zulueta.”)
Questions like, “what drives the universal human impulse to collect objects” and “what are some of the hidden treasures of our region” will be addressed in this hyper-local exhibition.
The collection will include everything from fine art to Victorian jewelry to antique rifles to sneakers and so much more as “Finders Keepers” seeks to probe the depths of what causes one to collect.
Unlike most art exhibitions where a crew of seasoned curators scour collections to create an organized display, “Finders Keepers” enlisted the assistance of the GRAM curatorial team along with community scouts to produce a very public view of an often private activity.
Often being the key word, because we all remember that one aunt who thought she would secure that lake house via her Beanie Baby collection. View responsibly and make sure you don’t use this occasion as an excuse that your hoarding activities are on deck for a show next. Some things like this are best kept under lock and key (and stacked floor to ceiling) at home.
Members can RSVP for the event here.