Because Modern Art is often considered as a relatively more profound and unfamiliar area than art of earlier age to the general public for its abstraction and insightful meaning, people still prefer something figurative and representational to easily understand the relate to the artworks. Fredrick Meijer Garden and Sculpture Park possesses somewhat different collection of contemporary sculptors. The park founder, Fredrick Meijer generously presented his collections to public for enrichment of audiences of every age and experience. He once said, “People deserve a place that inspire them, challenges them and offers opportunities of the human experience”. For this very reason, the exhibition, “Sculptors Celebrate the Legacy of Fred and Lena Meijer” was more welcoming to general public in spite of its modern theme. This exhibition celebrates the cultural legacy of Fred and Lena Meijer through excellent works by 25 of the distinguished contemporary sculptors. The selected works are not naturalistic or realistic but stylized and individualized with a strong foundation of drawing and high level of skill. They were overall somewhat semi-figurative and semi-abstracted with a wide range of materials and subject matters, yet largely one theme of human experience in modern society.
Since the Park displays the sculptures in a natural setting, the subject matter often related to, but not limited to, nature, animal and human figures. This particular exhibition is presented indoor but many of the representing artists have their sculptures outdoor as permanent collection. In front of the exhibition gallery, the life size head sculptures of sponsor Fred and Lena Meijers, done by Philip Grausman in 2002, as if the simplified gracious metallic faces with a warm smile are welcoming the audience at the door. The exhibition is largely divided into three rooms with each room representing broadly related themes and ideas.
Even tough each room presented couple abstractions with simple geometrics and random arrangements, majority of them make much more sense without deeper studies. The exhibition displays a great amount of concern for “anyone” that Meijers want to offer human experience and inspiration. I mean, it isn’t all that totally abstracted profound installations that a lot of art history reading is required to understand. The subject matters are natural things that anyone can relate and think about. The materials are things sometimes anyone can find in their backyards or storage. The message is largely giving ideas of our modern life in different perspectives. Family with children can enjoy it with some discussions and memories.
