ArtPrize Field Trip Inspiration

Walking around downtown Grand Rapids and looking at the ArtPrize exhibits is something I look forward to every year, but this year especially, looking at the exhibits from the point of view of a teacher, I felt that I benefited from looking at the works of art in a new way. It seems very apparent to me that technology can enhance the way that students experience a field trip, which is very exciting for me as a future educator. There were a couple of specific works at ArtPrize this year that I found intriguing and which did an excellent job of bringing technology into the relationship between the artist and the audience. I was fortunate enough to get to spend several hours today (Saturday the 26th) walking around the city and viewing the exhibits as well.

In DeVos Place, there is an exhibit called Mystic that showed me how shocking and informative art can be as a reminder of how relying on technology can be a way of forfeiting our privacy if we are not careful. I think it is important as a teacher for me to educate my students on internet safety and on safe practices for using technology in any capacity. Here is a video that can be found on the artist's website that does a great job of explaining how his piece works and why it matters. The fact that the artist has an updated website and uses technology to make his work more accessible is another bonus for being able to view and discuss the work even after the class has left the site. 

My other favorite exhibit that shows how technology can enhance a field trip is called #WhatLiftsYou and is located outside of the Grand Rapids Public Museum. This artist, who I discovered also has a website and a YouTube video to explain what she does, connects street art and social media to show how anyone can be a part of the exhibit. I know that many of my students, if not all of them, will use social media of some form, and so this is a great way to get them to connect what they see on a field trip to their outside life and get them sharing what they experienced with others.