“A Full Taste of Happiness,” an installation by Laurie Wessman LeBreton will be displayed at ArtPrize, an international arts competition in Grand Rapids, Michigan. LeBreton is an MFA Candidate in the Interdisciplinary Book and Paper Arts program at Columbia. “A Full Taste of Happiness” in an interdisciplinary work, with 250 paper sculptures of many different kinds of handmade paper. The installation also includes video and sound elements.

According to LeBreton, the installation is a response to a cave in Laos with 2000 statues of the Buddha. She is often is inspired by the objects and rituals of religious culture, particularly popular religious culture. These objects and rituals, she says, help people understand and cope with the many complexities of their lives. They answer an important question: What does it mean to be human?

ArtPrize is “a radically open art competition, giving away the world’s largest art prize. Part arts festival, part social experiment – this international art contest is decided solely on a public vote.” Artwork will be displayed in venues across Grand Rapids from September 22nd through October 10th. LeBreton’s work will be displayed at the YMCA.