The ArtPrize 2010 painting, "The River Ocean," by Italian
artist Luigi Marzo will remain in Grand Rapids, as a gift to Grand
Valley State University. Marzo, who was born in southern Italy and
currently lives and works in Perugia, presented his painting to the
Grand Rapids Sister Cities International Perugia Committee, which in
turn donated it to Grand Valley to give it a permanent home.
A reception to welcome Dr. Marco Nobili, Detroit Consul General
of Italy, in conjunction with the painting dedication ceremony, took
place Friday, November 19, in the Steelcase Library foyer, on Grand
Valley’s Pew Grand Rapids Campus. The painting is installed in the
foyer, to the left of the library doors. For more information about
the artist and the painting, visit http://www.artprize.org.
Honorary Chair Marcia Knapp Haas, wife of Grand Valley President
Thomas J. Haas, accepted the gift on behalf of the university. Guests
at the event included Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell,
representatives from Grand Rapids Sister Cities International, the
Perugia Committee and Grand Valley.
Though the artist has returned to Italy, he stated that having
spent his childhood between the Ionian and Adriatic Seas instilled in
him a strong connection with water and the charm of Mediterranean
myths. “The River Ocean,” an acrylic on canvas painting that measures
roughly 11-feet by 2-feet, is described as echoing some melodic and
rhythmic sensations, just like a river. Exhibited in the Ledyard
Building during ArtPrize 2010, the installation included a brief video
producing pictorial and musical work, which, along with the painting,
evokes the Greek River Ocean and an aesthetic symbol of continuous
transformation.
Consul General Nobili spent the earlier part of the day on Grand
Valley’s Allendale Campus interacting with students in Italian
language and culture classes. He observed presentations by students
based on their projects celebrating the 10th Edition of Italian Week
in the World. This year’s topic focuses on the contribution of Italian
music to the language and its influence on the cultural identity of
youth, with a comparison to the American music heritage.
