UICA Visit: 2016 Color of the Year

2016 is the first year that Pantone® has released TWO colors for it's annual Color of the Year.

PMS 13-1520 Rose Quartz and PMS 15-3915 Serenity are a soft combination of warm and cool. 

When choosing a Color of the Year, Pantone chooses a color that will resonate around the world. Rose Quartz and Serenity are very contemporary, meant to inspire a soothing, peaceful feeling.

The 2016 colors are much calmer, more relaxed colors than the previous 12 years. This is in response to modern day stress and our hectic lifestyles. The colors are a calming antidote to everyday demands. 

The colors also blur traditional gender associations. This social trend toward gender fluidity has led to an increased comfort with using color as a form of expression.

The UICA in downtown Grand Rapids has a X-Rite Pantone Color of the Year exhibit on until Sunday, July 31, 2016. A row of gorgeous gowns line the main hallway, visible from the long windows along Fulton. These dresses drew me inside. All are made from light, flowing, soft materials. They create an airy feeling, a simple display of beauty and comfort. 

Several of the exhibition pieces incorporate a gentle, windy feeling or actual blown elements.There's a tranquil feeling throughout the entire exhibition— I was the only visitor in the gallery (this is not unusual at the UICA) and a quiet lull of indie music followed me throughout. 

Overall, they definitely achieved a peaceful space, and I feel like the 2016 color choices are very modern, quiet, and mature. They are a fresh step forward, away from the past palette which has tended to scream "Look at me!" 

Could that really be the direction society is heading?? 

Stop by and see for yourself, now thru July 31st.

Collecting Friends: On Display

What were your hobbies 25? Did they include collecting valuable pieces of contemporary art?

For Ryan Kortman they did. And now, the 35-year-old's art collection is on exhibit at the UICA. Buying Friends: The Kortman Collection includes the wry, satirical, humorous and sometimes morbid pieces from over 36 artists. 

For a personal art collection, it's an impressive compilation; for someone in my same age bracket, it's damn extraordinary! I marvel at how one must get started in something like this, and how it must spiral into an addiction.

The exhibit, which has a little something for everyone, goes until February 15, 2015. Come on out and share in someone else's hobby!