OnTheCusp.org

Grand Opening: Virgina Fairbanks Art and Nature Park

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AFTER:


Well with the grand opening tomorrow of the long awaited IMA's Virginia Fairbanks Art and Nature Park, I have struggled to decide what sort of post to publish for this blog. What could I possibly post that would not just be a rehash of all the other press releases and published articles in any of a variety of sources, be it the New York Times, Art Review, NUVO, Indianapolis Business Journal, and many more. We had discussed some thoughts on interviews with different artists, staff and the installers but in short, availability and timing just didn't seem to pan out for us. We do continue to do some further posts in the coming months once we all get the chance to see the park in person (in its completed form) and the anxiety of the grand opening calms a bit. So considering this I thought I would simply post a brief rundown of this weekends events as well as link you to some of the published articles and include a couple of the IMA's video links.

I had been following the goings on with the park since I first heard of it with great excitement. This new venture for the IMA commemorates a new phase in the museums already long and distinguished history with in the community. Having talked a number of times with assorted staff these past few weeks I can say with out a doubt that everyone at the IMA has been busy and working hard everyday leading up to this opening. I can only expect that the kick off event will be a great relief for everyone involved.

Having seen a number of the works at different stages of completion these past months, I can't wait to see them all now finished and with crowds of patrons walking the grounds. I only hope that the weather will be cooperative though the sheer amount of rain we have been getting these past days is bound to make for some muddy walkways. So, don't where your good shoes this weekend and just in case, bring your umbrella.

For those of you who have yet to keep up on who the artists involved are and those of you who are simply interested in knowing more about them, I would highly recommend everyone head out tomorrow to check out the 100 Acres Artist Forum in the Toby Auditorium. It is free to the public but I expect a large turn out so you must reserve your free ticket online. For those of you who are planning on making it out, I will be there with you.

I am very interested in hearing your thoughts on the works being presented this weekend and on the park in general. Please give us your thoughts in the comment section.

So below are the details for this weekends events. [NOTE: The VIP viewing of the park is NOT FREE but for those of you who want to see it and can't afford the ticket price for the VIP event, check out the Sunday public opening ceremony.]

For a full rundown and details of the IMA's Virginia Fairbanks Art and Nature Park opening visit their site here.

Artist Panel
The Toby at the IMA
Saturday, June 19
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Hear from the artists and architects as well as museum staff who planned every detail of the Park.

VIP Opening (Note: this event is not free)
100 Acres: The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park
(Park at the IMA, shuttles available to the Park)
Saturday, June 19
6 to 7:30 p.m.
Park terrain is variable. Please wear appropriate footwear.

Tip Off and Public Opening
Carpark at White River Parkway East
Sunday, June 20
1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Join Senator Richard Lugar and Maxwell L. Anderson for a special opening ceremony involving the first baskets at the soon-to-be iconic sculpture, Free Basket. Festivities continue until 5 p.m. Sunday.


Addition ArtBabble Videos (sorry couldn't get them to embed)
100 Acres Visitors Pavilion
Los Carpinteros, In the Factory
Jeppe Hein, In the Factory

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