Local artist receives first place

HOUGHTON — A local artist’s work has received top honors at the Michigan Technological University Great Lakes Showcase.

Pere Marquette Township artist Dave Masten’s Wired has received first place in the three dimensional art category. Wired is a statue made of copper. It makes a statement about modern technology and our reliance on it.

Diana Budde, an associate professor at University of Wisconsin – Marathon County, described Wired as ambitious and fun.

“This piece uses everyday industrial materials in a striking way,” she said. “The work seems to poke fun at our need to keep a fast pace and our reliance on machines and technology to energize us; however the work is handcrafted and seemingly is derived from a slow, laborious process. It really has a presence that, as a viewer, I have to confront, and I like that.

Masten said the opening reception is Tuesday night. The exhibit continues until April 2.

Wired debuted at Art Prize 2012 in Grand Rapids.