Grand Rapids got it right with Ran Ortner. I almost got it wrong. When my wife pointed out "Open Water", I was busy watching "Field of Reeds". I glanced over and thought it was just a huge photo enlargement. I eventually voted for it on her advice. I'll have to go see it again to really appreciate it.
Most overrated
"Portraits" was cool and I was amazed how basic colors could combine to create skin tones from a distance. Later I heard that it's just a matter of taking a digital image and then dumbing down the pixels to basic colors. From there it's like playing Lite-Brite. Still cool but 3rd place over all?
Strangest
"Portrait Collection" was a series of portraits of people in Saugatuck, Michigan. When I saw this a women was entertaining an audience by going from portrait to portrait linking the people together and telling tidbits of personal info about each one with great enthusiasm. I found I was thankful I never wandered too close as I thought I detected some fear in the eyes of some of the people who had committed to watching. It was all a little too Steven King for me and for some reason reminded me of the movie "Misery". Turns out she wasn't actually the artist. Not sure if she was a planned part of the presentation.
Underrated
Salt & Earth but everyone knows this by now.
Best Venue
Old Federal Building. Had the best overall collection of art and two of the top three. The UICA had a lot of good are as well but I was underwhelmed by the balloon sculpture.
