SiTE:LAB creates temporary site-specific art projects aimed at facilitating dynamic collaborations between the art, education, business and cultural communities of Grand Rapids.
Catching Elephant is a theme by Andy Taylor
June 15 and 16
A video by
Araron Bannasch
Tom Wagner
Bud Kibby
On Friday, April 13 2012, SiTE:LAB occupied the old Harris Furniture Building located at 109 ½ S. Division for an innovative, one-night-only project. SitTE:LAB curator Paul Amenta teamed up with playwright and GVSU professor Austin Bunn to transform the building into the setting for a unique performance piece being written by Bunn. Unlike a traditional play, viewers experienced the performance at their own pace and in their own order, or through random encounters.
Thanks to all of the artists, collaborators and friends that participated.
Thank you to all of our sponsors and collaborators, this is the list of most of them, i am sure we forgot a few.
SiTE:LAB ♈
Art Downtown | April 13 2012 | SiTE:LAB | 109 ½ S. Division Ave
https://www.facebook.com/events/315412475178625/
On Friday, April 13, Site:Lab will be occupying the old Harris Furniture Building located at 109 ½ S. Division for an innovative, one-night-only project. Site:Lab curator Paul Amenta is teaming up with playwright and GVSU professor Austin Bunn to transform the building into the setting for a unique performance piece being written by Bunn. Local artists and students are currently signing up to create the rooms, props and costumes required by Bunn’s script, and on April 13, actors and performers will enact a narrative inspired by the building’s history throughout the space. Unlike a traditional play, viewers will be able to experience the performance at their own pace and in their own order, or through random encounters. The event is scheduled to coincide with ArtDowntown, and will be open to the public free of charge from 6 to 11 p.m.
Site-specific projects from students, faculty and alumni representing 5 Michigan colleges/universities, as well as a number of local artists.
Participating Institutions
· Aquinas College
· Grand Rapids Community College
· Grand Valley State University
· Hope College
· Kendall College of Art and Design
http://www.site-lab.org/
http://www.artdowntowngr.com/main/
SiTE:LAB creates temporary site-specific art projects aimed at facilitating dynamic collaborations between the art, design, education, business and cultural communities of Grand Rapids.
This event has been made possible through the generosity of the Arts Council of Greater Grand Rapids and the Downtown Alliance.
Art.Downtown. plans for bigger event
Art.Downtown. prepares for its seventh year of showcasing local artists all throughout downtown.
A work in progress
We are taking some of the downtime post Artprize (and before we start getting things cranking for the spring show) to do a little digital organization and reconfiguration.
So, for the time being, our website will be landing here on Tumblr, we figured that was better than putting up one of those clip-art “Under Construction” signs.
Cheers,
The SiTE:LAB team.
ArtPrize surprised the world with their first-ever juried award for Outstanding Venue. Reed Kroloff, executive director of Cranbrook Academy and 2011 juror for Use of Urban Space, recommended SiTE:LAB for the special award.
SiTE:LAB converted a long-abandoned and blighted commercial property in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids, and filled the space with temporary, site-specific ArtPrize installations. The group aims to facilitate dynamic collaborations between the art, education, business and cultural communities of Grand Rapids.
Installing Beam #4. August 19, 2011.
Title: Applet.
Have you ever stepped outside your comfort zone? The first thing you feel is fear and it hits you as soon as you take that jump into unfamiliar territory. While the feeling can be unsettling it can also be exhilarating - the rush of adrenaline is just the first in many steps. It’s amazing how much fun trying something new can be!
This past weekend, I photographed an event called SiTE:LAB at Blandford Nature Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan. To sum it up, Blandford Nature Center is a 143 acre nature preserve with an abundance of wildlife. From the moment I drove into Blandford’s entrance this city dweller found himself smack dab in the epicenter of all things nature. It was humid and I was a sweating mess, I smelt of bug spray and sun screen, and there may have been one or two incidents of me running through the woods screaming “get it off me!” Yes, it was not pretty.At the end of the two day event I was all smiles and ready for more. I forgot the sounds of cars screaming past, I left the importance of checking my electronics every 5 minutes and business went along as usual. I jumped head first into nature and for a brief moment I found a piece of clarity. I actually liked the great outdoors and the rush of being one with nature.
So I ask you - when was the last time you stepped outside of your comfort zone?
Thanks Terry !
Eric Kuhn: Another SiTE:LAB, and Thank you Grand Rapids.
At the recent TEDx GrandRapids event, Steve Frazee (a fairly recent newcomer to West Michigan) said something that really stuck with me… the new motto for Grand Rapids should be “How can we help?”, this is something I have been thinking for a long time, and Steve just seemed to sum it up…
Details for tonight and tomorrow!
About 30 groups of students/artists displaying work spread throughout the grounds using natural materials found on-site (143 acres, there will be horse drawn wagon rides throughout the evening/day). We are looking at this being the first annual event out at Blandford. Special thanks for the sponsorship from Kendall College Specifics… Friday June 29 from 5-11pm and Saturday June 30 from 12-5 pm https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=205785616109033 Free to attend, Parking will be on a free shuttle service, since the lot at Blandford is so small. There will be three out-lots to park at with shuttles running on a loop. Map for parking location. http://sitelab.tumblr.com/post/8068315400/parking-info-for-this-weekends-event-at-blandford Beer provided by Brewery Vivant http://www.breweryvivant.com/ with the sales all benefiting http://www.neighborhoodventures.org/ we will also have wine, water etc. Tommy Fitzgerald will be bringing out the BBQ as well as some vegetarian options with all proceeds benefiting his Juiceball Initiative to support Kids Food Basket. https://www.facebook.com/juiceballinitiative http://www.kidsfoodbasket.org/ Performances by Dance in the Annex Performance work from Upended Teacups from Ann arbor https://www.facebook.com/pages/Upended-Teacups/135193736552398 Music from… Kurt Dennison http://www.kurtdenison.com/index.html Glen Danles https://www.facebook.com/glendanles Garrett Borns and his trio Christorpher Norman from Ann Arbor And others… Live t-shirt printing of original designs with Citizenshirt- https://www.facebook.com/citizenshirt Students from WMCAT will be on site doing a project. We will be open from 12-5 on Saturday July 30th Saturday specific events… SiTE:LAB In Situ – Design Workshop https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=224997887544759 Come join Us for ‘SiTE:LAB In Situ’, a 2-hour workshop for HS and College students to learn about design research methods (field study, ethnography) and explore how to communicate the value of Blandford Nature Center to the Grand Rapids community. Workshop will be held at the Schoolhouse and involve walks of the nature center area. 2 photowalks with Terry Johnston on the grounds. Noon https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=236630239691519 3 pm https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=249587571719557 Join photographer Terry Johnston as he tours you around SiTE:LAB and the Blandford Nature Center. The walk will start off with a brief introduction then Terry will take everyone out for some photo fun. Lisa Rose Starner will be doing 2 “Wild & Weedy Plant Walks” 1:30 https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=106940866070881 3:30 https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=235749886457155 Join local foodista, urban farmer and backyard herbalist Lisa Rose Starner to wander among Blandford’s wild & cultivated spaces to be introduced to common wild weeds, so-called *invasive species* and native plants.
Everyone is invited: all ages, all skill sets and any camera will do. If you want to shoot with a $5 disposable camera - do it! If you want to bring a bag of flashy gear - do it! What matters is being out and about with fellow photographers.
Photowalks are an amazing opportunity to ask questions of other photographers and get better familiar with your camera gear. Be there!
The focus will be on traditional uses of the plants as both food and folk medicine and tips on harvesting, cooking and making herbal preparations will be shared.
Emily Richett from Fox 17 came out to visit this morning and give a preview of what is upcoming this weekend.
SiTE:LAB In Situ Design Methods Workshop 7/30, 12-2:15pm Blandford Nature Center
SiTE:LAB In Situ
7.30.2011
https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=224997887544759
Overview
This workshop introduces a mini-design studio experience for high-school and college students as a foundation for learning Human Centered Design methods. SiTE:LAB events are site-specific art exhibitions and in this spirit, the In Situ workshop will teach participants how learn from the site itself and how people interact within it. With a breakout session that will encourage field study and ethnographic research, participants will observe, sketch, interview and collect information. Participants will then work in teams to design and present concepts informed by the research that address the stated design problem (and others that may emerge).
Facilitators
Grant Carmichael – UX Designer, SiTE:LAB
Sara Molina – Interior Designer, SiTE:LAB
Tim Stoepker – Industrial Designer
Matt Vansweden – Sustainability Designer
Location: Star Schoolhouse, Blandford Nature Center
When: Saturday 7/30, 12-2:15pm
Participants: 16 people max, ages 15 to College-age
Total Duration: 2.25 hours
Agenda
Design problem 10 min
How can awareness of the Blandford Nature Center be raised within the GR community?
Design Research Process 20 min
· Introduction to Human Centered Design
· How to do a field study and observe.
· How to conduct a non-leading interview
· Observe/sketch/photograph environment, how it isused, people behaviors, etc.
Breakout: Field Study + Interviews 30 min, Research Teams: 2+ people (8 pairs)
· One person interviews, one person records (switch roles between interviews)
· Take notes, sketch, take pictures
Data Analysis 15min, Entire Group
As an overall group, prioritize findings, commonalities, perceived gaps, opportunities
· Goals (Why are people at/interested in Blandford?)
· Problems (are there complaints? Uncomfortable?)
· Scenarios (what were people doing?)
· Contexts (class, escape, inspiration, community support, science, education, volunteering, etc.)
· Age ranges, etc. (anyone under-represented?)
· Surprising/humorous quotes, observations
Design Concept Generation 30 min, Teams of 4-6 people
Sketches at first, refine to one concept per team
Concept Presentations ~20 min to divide among teams
Each team presents a concept and demonstrates how it reflects the research and address the identified problem
Wrap-up: 10min
