By Jennifer Lugo – Collegiate Staff
Inspiration flows from venues each fall, as artists from around the world converge in Grand Rapids to express themselves in unique ways, during ArtPrize in Grand Rapids.
“Dream birdhouses,” a collection located just outside The First United Methodist Church, 227 Fulton St. SE, is a unique array of wooden birdhouses extending from a trunk like base. The piece resembles a tree house, with the houses set on limbs.
“This collection I made,” said Volodymyr Kindratyshyn, 61. “I collected it for three years.”
An architect from the Ukraine, Kindratyshyn has been in the United States for 20 years. He started this project at his home in White Lake. This is his first time participating in ArtPrize.
Kindratyshyn was inspired from the traditional Ukrainian churches traditionally made of wood.
“I started this in my backyard,” Kindratyshyn said. “I tried to do something nice for my wife. Then people started asking me if I could display it during festivals.”
Kindratyshyn displayed his artwork at festivals near Detroit. When he heard about ArtPrize and decided to enter.
Kindratyshyn spoke with passion as he described the houses individually.
“They are very rich and gentle,” Kindratyshyn said. “I built it for the people, so they can see it.”
The design of the wooden structure is still underway and more additions to be made.
“I will cover the base with flowers, and put food in the houses for the birds,” Kindratyshyn said. “It will make it come alive.”
The piece contains at least 20 different houses, each uniquely carved. It serves not only as an art exhibit, but as a bird haven in the middle of metro Grand Rapids. If only birds could vote.
This entry can be seen and voted on at http://www.artprize.org/volodymyr-kindratyshyn/2015/dream-birdhouses.
