Thursday, September 22, 2011

The Other Art Show

In my last post, I shared the art we enjoyed at The Spot, where Greg's work is being shown during ArtPrize, a huge Grand Rapids art event.

ArtPrize is a fascinating show, because anyone can get in it. It costs $50 and the only requirement in terms of the art is that the artist must find a venue that will display it. This is easier said than done. Not so hard if you know the Grand Rapids folk; much harder for some who must submit portfolios of their work.

The art at the gallery exhibiting Greg's work is terrific, and you saw in the other post that we really enjoyed ourselves at the reception where Greg told Rick to wear and suit and me to wear a dress. (That, too, is easier said than done!)

As you know, the art was beautiful, interesting, intriguing and certainly well done.

Let me also say it couldn't hold a candle to the ensembles worn by various guests. This is the gallery owner. I thought he did a fine job of elegant tuxedo with arty tie (it had colorful little spikes coming out of it.) This fellow -- Kevin -- knew how to combine formal with flair. But check out the guy in the background. We'll see him again later!

I rather liked these pants. I wouldn't have had the nerve to wear them to an occasion to which the kid told me to wear a dress, but I'd love to wear them when chilling out in front of "Masterpiece Mystery!" on a Sunday night. (Or for that matter, Sunday morning breakfast.) The shirt tail hanging below the wrinkled jacket was an arty touch. In fact, I'd define the outfit as "faux arty."

Here's a better view, with the wrinkled black jacket.

Some came dressed to the nines. I called this one Miss Bridal, Sans Veil. (Like the black jacket and purse?) And what was her friend thinking? You don't wear this dress unless you have zero boobs or hips. It's one of those things that looks great on the dummy at the store and you think "That would be perfect for me." Think again.

(NOTE: Mae sent an email with an thoughtful comment that perhaps I should have been more generous to Ms. Flower Print, saying she reads blogs about overweight women who don't want to be limited in what they can wear. I know what she means, because I'm one of them. And I agree that freeing oneself from preconceived notions about what they should wear is a good thing and worthy of respect. SO, I'll just add that in public I would have steered clear of this dress -- which would look a lot worse on me than her -- but she is fully free to wear what she pleases and not worry about what I think! And, if I had the confidence not to care, I'd probably wear it too. I think the last paragraph of this post sums it up pretty well!)

This one was pretty elegant. A slight train, an odd but interesting top hat fascinator. I'm very fond of fascinators and now I'm wishing I'd had time to whip one up before we went.

I really did like her hat. Very cute with the little flippy things coming out of it. She had some flair.

Same dress, different view. The black single-shoulder on the right was quite sophisticated and classic.

Here's our flower dress girl -- looks better from the back. But the fellow on her right -- they shouldn't have let him out of the house. And why he was wearing shorts on a pretty brisk night is beyond my comprehension. (He did have a cool hat. Inappropriate, though perhaps not -- maybe it was his ArtPrize entry and he's just not at this venue.)

Personally, I think he wanted to compete with the art. It worked. (And he did have very snappy shoes!) The fellow on the right had a traditional suit and interesting artsy hat -- I thought that was appropriate. And the girl in the middle had the body to wear her dress, which was kind of cute. If brief.

And that's a good thing, because you saw a lot more than the dress. Only someone with decent legs could wear those tights.

The woman looking at Greg's display had a striking teal gown and could wear it. That was my favorite, though you can't see it well here.

Now this couple -- they didn't seem to care about the clothes or the art.

Here's a last look at Greg. I suppose it was his artistic side that picked a checked shirt with a patterned tie. I'm still a little traditional for that (I still have emotional problems combining floral patterns with checks in decorating, which is why my house is pretty boring in the upholstery department). But look at that smile -- He looked darned cute to me. And the kid knows how to wear a suit.

In comments from the other post, some of you asked what Rick and I wore. Compared to the rest of the crowd we were either under dressed, overdressed, way too conservative or way too boring. This is us in the same clothes at Rick's cousins wedding two years ago. (Yes, I had on an old outfit. I don't do dresses except under pressure!)

Oh, to have the confidence and arrogance to wear whatever you like, wherever you wanted, no matter what the "dress code" and just not care (or, better still, think you look good). I sure don't have that confidence of style, and I wish I did. Then I would have tied a scarf around my head like Lucy used to wear when cleaning the house in the old "I Love Lucy" shows, capris -- or fishnets or flip flops, REALLY big earrings (that didn't match), stuck art rhinestones on my cheek as a beauty mark and punked my hair. And a boa.

I would have fit right in.

NOTE: Now at Chopsticks and String: "We Might As Well Win," by Johann Bruyneel and Bill Strickland -- it's about a lot more than the Tour de France!

14 comments:

Dr. Kathy McCoy said...

What an occasion -- and what a wild variety of dress! Some young people are intrinsically cute, they can get away with wearing anything and, you're right, some people of any age have such confidence, they can show up in anything they want while the rest of us look on in awe! You, Rick and Greg all looked splendid, by the way!

Privet and Holly said...

Gosh, this was
a BLAST!!! Felt
like we were leaning
in to talk, glasses
of champagne in
hand....I LOVE to
people watch, so
this would have
been the perfect
venue. Congrats
to your Greg; he's
a cutie!!
xx Suzanne

Bonnie k said...

A fun view of the patrons of the arts! I do not own anything so exotic!

Tracy said...

WOW... what a great event! Not sure which I'm having more fun enjoying too--the art, or the artful attire of the patrons! Some great "costumes" there... Must say I love that lady's gray silken dress & fascinator combo! That's what I'd like to wear. But I think you, Rick & Greg look FANTASTIC! How exciting to have one's art on display... a little pipedream I have too. Happy Weekend & Happy Autumn, Jeanie ((HUGS))

Janet said...

Looks like it was a fun and interesting night for people watching....one of my favorite things to do.

I just wish more people had the courage and creativity to dress the way they want no matter what. I think it would make for a much more interesting world.

Lisa from Lisa's Yarns said...

Love all the photos of people's outfits! I am a very conservative dresser, so am in awe of people who made bold wardrobe choices! I do try to wear interesting shoes so my outfit isn't too boring, though!!

That girl totally looks like she is going to her wedding and just made a pitstop at an art show...

Marilyn Miller said...

I would love to see you wear what you described there at the end. It seems these days anything goes just about everywhere.

Barb said...

Wel, Jeanie, I loved attending this art show without having to get all dolled up ( though you and Rick clean up nicely)! Looks like there was art on the walls and also on bodies.

shoreacres said...

I'm afraid I would have ended up on the floor with that young couple! No, that's the wrong way to put it - I would have been glad to see that young couple, and end up on the floor with them. "Hat fascinator"? What? There's a term I've never heard!

You and Rick looked wonderful, and I'm sure everyone had a great time, but when I look at photos like these, all I see is dollar signs. If I ever wanted to go to some thing like this, I'd be haunting the resale shops for sure!

Arti said...

oh thank you jeanie... this is lovely. First off, that is one stylish dress you have on.... stylish and elegant. I'm not into fashion, so am not one that falls for the avant garde and fancy stuff. But I've appreciated the myriad of formal wear... reflecting the various personalities. And I've noticed too, that the word 'arty' is most apt to describe it. Cheers to all of you... and all the best in the competition. When will you know the result?

Anya said...

Thanks for the smile
soooooooo many different style haha..
but you was very well dressed
:-)

Tamara said...

Oh I wish I was brave enough to wear those pants! (I think I did something like that at a school dance but never again). I agree with you about 'flower dress' (I had one of them once too). You guys looked lovely and the night looked great. I think the art looks really good quality. It's just amazing what people can do.

Joanne Huffman said...

I enjoyed the guided tour of the reception. And, I have to admit, I often (and on purpose) wear mismatched earrings and I do have a top hat fascinator, which I bought last winter.

jet1960 said...

You and Rick look very smart, as does Greg(he is a handsome young man)!

Very interesting outfits! Not sure I understand the wrinkled jacket thing. The wild pants can be put down to expression, but a wrinkled jacket just says, "I don't care' which now that I type that out, may have been his intent, I guess.

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