Art Around Town: Eyes Wide Open

By Michelle on December 31, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Art , Museum , Outdoors , Winter refresh

I love art. I think it's a vital, necessary component for a fulfilled life. So I am so very excited by the Speed Museum's new public art project called Eyes Wide Open.

An exciting contemporary installation that will entice, excite and provoke the senses.
Stepping outside its museum walls, the Speed has commissioned Argentinean artist Flavia Da Rin to create 10 images to be placed on 14x48 foot billboards around Louisville in January 2008.
Manipulating her images with “Photoshop” Da Rin creates fairytale-like pictures that are both enchanting and disquieting. While Da Rin’s images will create a gallery outdoors, a web site will provide access to information and engage the participation of the viewer creatively, as well as in discussions about art, both inside and outside the museum.

This is an exciting public art project and I'm so thankful to the Speed for commissioning the work and proud of Louisville for having such a cool project about town. I'll be anxiously looking for the first billboard starting tomorrow, there will be 10 total around town. I'll also be checking out the accompanying web arm of the project as well It's great to see the Speed Museum using social media. I wonder if Louisville's own Social Media Explorer gave them any tips?

Seriously, I'm so excited about this exhibit. Exciting public art projects definitely proves January doesn't have to suck.

A bit more information about the social media portion of Eyes Wide Open:

Find the billboards and text each keyword to 55022. After each text you will receive a reply - each reply message will give you a codeword. Enter the codeword here to unlock the billboard image you found. When you've found 5 billboards, you can begin to upload your own billboard designs!

You can also ask the artist questions in the Q&A section. Find out where she gets her ideas and how she makes her images.

You can also communicate with museum staff in a dedicated blog. Discuss how you think a billboard show breaks boundaries or talk about ideas behind the works. Tell us what you think art is and why it is important to you.

You can also take part in a competition. The prize is to see your own artwork presented on a large scale outside the Speed Art Museum during the month of March - see the section "How to Participate."