New Grand Rapids Art Museum

[Veloise]

I hope to run into a few of you at the grand opening. I'm going to be there writing for my college newspaper The Saint on the GRAM. Only I'm new in town and haven't seen all the buzz about this museum until I got here. So any websites or other postings on UP that I need to read to get up to speed and have some "research" done? I have no idea what the old art museum looked like. Thanks!

Jean, the old GRAM is just a couple blocks away. Division and Pearl, NE corner. I'll see if I can dig out a pic to ID it.

ETA: looks like I cropped the rest, but this will get you started.

[twoshort]

I hope to run into a few of you at the grand opening. I'm going to be there writing for my college newspaper The Saint on the GRAM. Only I'm new in town and haven't seen all the buzz about this museum until I got here. So any websites or other postings on UP that I need to read to get up to speed and have some "research" done? I have no idea what the old art museum looked like. Thanks!

The 52 pages of this thread will probably suffice

[daniboi81]

The new museum reminds me of the Museum of High Art in Atlanta

[Veloise]

The sod is so dry, it's peeling up of its own accord.

(I know where GRAM could obtain free woodchips and pretty this up in time for the GRAM opening...out on Butterworth)

[tamias6]

The sod is so dry, it's peeling up of its own accord.

(I know where GRAM could obtain free woodchips and pretty this up in time for the GRAM opening...out on Butterworth)

I noticed that during my photo shoot. I had to be careful not to get that little blemish into the shot of the corner window. My thought is that its caused by the giant exhaust vent next to the dried up sod. The wind blowing out of that vent is hurricane force.

[Veloise]

I noticed that during my photo shoot. I had to be careful not to get that little blemish into the shot of the corner window. My thought is that its caused by the giant exhaust vent next to the dried up sod. The wind blowing out of that vent is hurricane force.

Yep. A few weeks back the sod was installed, and immediately a dead patch formed.

Given the blast (I could feel it from the sidewalk), perhaps they should go with white stones.

[AlexPKeaton]

You can feel the hot air from that vent all the way accross Ottawa Ave. What were they thinking when they placed that right there?

[GRDadof3]

You can feel the hot air from that vent all the way accross Ottawa Ave. What were they thinking when they placed that right there?

Gives it a real "big city" feel. Kind of like when you walk over the vents of the subway in Chicago, except without the noxious sewer smell.

They do need to take out the grass in that area though. I'm surprised they haven't done it before the grand opening.

[AlexPKeaton]

They should reverse the louvers so the hot air blows up (and rain gets in).

[jeang]

I'm surprised they haven't fixed it by now.

[rivegauche]

You can feel the hot air from that vent all the way accross Ottawa Ave. What were they thinking when they placed that right there?

Winter homeless shelter?

[Veloise]

Yep. A few weeks back the sod was installed, and immediately a dead patch formed.

Given the blast (I could feel it from the sidewalk), perhaps they should go with white stones.

Hey, whaddya know. (4:15 pm) The fellas offered me free sod. I said no thanks, it's dead.

The building is not that hard to photograph. (I did this one-handed.)

[tamias6]

Hopefully that sod has been replaced by a more durable material.

[Veloise]

Hopefully that sod has been replaced by a more durable material.

White marble chips. Can't imagine where they got the idea.

[Timize]

I saw the Detroit Art Museum's commercial today. I could of sworn (and hoped) it was a comercial for GRAM because of the way they presented the artists' names and artwork on the screen, but then at the last 5 seconds, out came the narrator's voice and the Detroit logo appeared. It was very depressing. Why show off Detroit's museum in the GR market? I see it as a kind of an insult to GRAM.

[Veloise]

I saw the Detroit Art Museum's commercial today. I could of sworn (and hoped) it was a comercial for GRAM because of the way they presented the artists' names and artwork on the screen, but then at the last 5 seconds, out came the narrator's voice and the Detroit logo appeared. It was very depressing. Why show off Detroit's museum in the GR market? I see it as a kind of an insult to GRAM.

--We've been hosting their "The Thinker" all summer; perhaps there's at least a glimmer of local interest in art and what the DIA has to offer

--Detroit can be a nifty weekend travel destination

--Wouldn't do much to focus on, say, the Traverse City or Midland markets

--Something to do while waiting on your plane at (if you're going to drive two hours to save on the flight, may as well get some kultchure out of the trip)

--with all the moola GRAM brought in last night, its commercials are certainly in the wings (but the place is not yet open to the public)

--don't other "off-shore" attractions advertise here? Cedar Point? Lions and Tigers?

[my TV is unplugged]

[GRDadof3]

--We've been hosting their "The Thinker" all summer; perhaps there's at least a glimmer of local interest in art and what the DIA has to offer

--Detroit can be a nifty weekend travel destination

--Wouldn't do much to focus on, say, the Traverse City or Midland markets

--Something to do while waiting on your plane at (if you're going to drive two hours to save on the flight, may as well get some kultchure out of the trip)

--with all the moola GRAM brought in last night, its commercials are certainly in the wings (but the place is not yet open to the public)

--don't other "off-shore" attractions advertise here? Cedar Point? Lions and Tigers?

[my TV is unplugged]

The Detroit casinos are hitting the airwaves big time (the new MGM I think it is). No Lions or Tigers ads as far as I've seen (maybe on the sports radio stations).

[NorthEnder]

The Detroit casinos are hitting the airwaves big time (the new MGM I think it is). No Lions or Tigers ads as far as I've seen (maybe on the sports radio stations).

I was downtown lastnight, and got to catch some of the GRAM in its glory.... Man it looked great all lit up with the red carpet. My out of town friends thought it was an awesome downtown structure, and didn't understand the hatred of it.

[twoshort]

I thought I'd give a little run down of my GRAM Gala experience. My job was to take pictures of everyone on the red carpet, paparazzi style, after they turned their keys over the valet. Just about everyone was very happy to have their picture taken (there were, of course, some exceptions). These images were later projected on the west side of the museum and in the tent during dancing. As the pictures wound down I got a chance to watch Pam Devos's opening speech and then everyone went to dinner. I left shortly after that, but came back after dark to check out our handy work. It was a pretty impressive event, the champagne was flowing and the band seemed pretty impressive during their warm up. Most guys were wearing white ties, some in tails. It was crazy how many people were running around with walkie-talkies making sure things went smoothly. Rich Devos Sr. showed up last in his Maybach wearing a bolo tie (which I found pretty funny) and took a moment to engage just about everyone he saw in a friendly hello. I was most interested I think in what everyone drove I think .

[d8alterego]

Seeing some of these pics of the front of the GRAM, I realize how huge of an awning it has. When I was at the art festival this year it was raining cats and dogs. It was nice to run to the courthouse awning for cover, but the GRAM will have a huge one for people to run too for any event at RPC. Kind of convenient, even if it's asthetically controversial. Just something I thought I'd oddly point out.

[Avocado]

Ribbon cutting is this Thursday, and the museum opens to the public on Friday. I'm planning on going to the former, anyone else?

[jwazzz]

Had a chance to tour the new GRAM today - on a scale of 1 - 10, I'd give it a 50. See for yourselves and prepare to be amazed.

[Budgie Frisket]

Had a chance to tour the new GRAM today - on a scale of 1 - 10, I'd give it a 50. See for yourselves and prepare to be amazed.

That is great to hear. I can hardly wait to see it.

[dbrok]

A few photos from the inside:

This is the main lecture area; the ceiling simulates the night sky on the summer solstice.

Here's a look over the fountain. The water is collected from past rains and stored in three giant cisterns located below the museum. The water in the cisterns is also used for plant irrigation and toilets.

This is the main staircase leading from the second floor to the third. The steps are also actually covered in hardwood. GRAM has five floors total; three above ground and two below.

A look at the cafe; entrance to the cafe and GRAM store are always free.

A view of one of the galleries. The walls have no outlets or utility equipment; all electrical hookups are located in the floor below the metal grates. Each floor of the gallery is suspended about a foot above the actual concrete.

BTW, here's the link to see the other photos. There are about 20 total.

[wingbert]

A few photos from the inside:

This is the main lecture area; the ceiling simulates the night sky on the summer solstice.

Here's a look over the fountain. The water is collected from past rains and stored in three giant cisterns located below the museum. The water in the cisterns is also used for plant irrigation and toilets.

This is the main staircase leading from the second floor to the third. The steps are also actually covered in hardwood. GRAM has five floors total; three above ground and two below.

A look at the cafe; entrance to the cafe and GRAM store are always free.

A view of one of the galleries. The walls have no outlets or utility equipment; all electrical hookups are located in the floor below the metal grates. Each floor of the gallery is suspended about a foot above the actual concrete.

BTW, here's the link to see the other photos. There are about 20 total.

Holy smokes! I may have had some reservations as this was built but that interior is sharp. Looks like a real big city gallery. You go, GR.