Jarritos- Mexican soda in various fruit flavors- are stacked 12 feet high and illuminated with lights that change colors at night, guarding the entry to Calder Plaza. The work, "Port of Entry" by Muñoz & Company, is colorful, playful and attracts viewers from across the plaza. But is there more to the work than just the fun colors?
"The multicolor facet of the Port represents the diversity of the migrant worker population that has long been a major source of Grand Rapids’ growth. The Port’s illumination symbolizes the community’s strength through unity," says the artist statement on the ArtPrize website. "The “Port of Entry” theme is a tribute to Michigan’s migrant workers."
With these varying levels of interpretation of the work in mind, we stopped down to Calder Plaza to ask visitors what they thought of the piece- and whether or not they would vote for it.
The Rapidian, a program of the 501(c)3 nonprofit Community Media Center, relies on the community’s support to help cover the cost of training reporters and publishing content.
We need your help.
If each of our readers and content creators who values this community platform help support its creation and maintenance, The Rapidian can continue to educate and facilitate a conversation around issues for years to come.
Please support The Rapidian and make a contribution today.