Neon Sculpture from Swiss Artist Ugo Rondinone Installed on Downtown Grand Rapids Rooftop

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) February 5, 2012 -- Grand Rapids’ history of public art installations is filled with captivating work and innovative ideas ranging from world renowned artists to open calls for city streets. On January 31, 2012, Open Concept Gallery, West Michigan’s premiere contemporary gallery, will add another chapter to the story with the installation of Ugo Rondinone’s ‘Big Mind Sky’ atop the Trade Center Building, located at 50 Louis St. in downtown.

Open Concept Gallery partnered with the Pro Helvetia – Swiss Arts Council to install the work, a neon sculpture which will light up the downtown skyline until late April 2012. In celebration of the installation, the gallery is offering a series of events including gallery talks, an accompanying exhibition, and more.

“Ugo Rondinone’s art work was recognized by curators from some of the foremost contemporary art institutions in the world - The New Museum in New York, Yokohama Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney Museum of Art and others,” noted Open Concept Gallery’s Executive Director, Dr. Zora Carrier. “Our mission is to bring world-renowned contemporary artworks and artists to the vibrant, local art scene. We are honored to be trusted to curate this important piece of Ugo Rondinone’s work here in Grand Rapids.”

Ugo Rondinone was born in Switzerland in 1964. His works have been shown around the world, with recent solo exhibitions in Centre Georges Pompidou and Museo du Louvre, Paris; ICA Boston; Sculpture Center, MoMA, P.S.1 and New Museum, New York; 52nd Venice Biennale; Whitechapel Gallery and Saatchi Gallery , London; Australian Centre for Contemporary Art, Melbourne; Guggenheim, Vienna; Center for Contemporary Art, Rotterdam; Kunsthalle, Zürich; Biennale, São Paulo.
Open Concept Gallery began operations in 2006 as a non-profit institution dedicated to increasing the understanding of 21st century art and today’s important social issues. The non-profit gallery organizes a wide range of educational programs for audiences of all ages. In conjunction with contemporary art exhibits, it hosts Art Talks TV Show. It serves as a platform for contemporary art that allows artists and curators to consider perspectives, raise new questions and discover new approaches.

The gallery is currently open by appointment and arrangements can be made by email. Please send us your request – info@openconceptgallery.org.

contemporary art     public art     ugo rondinone     zora carrier