"Paperika Redux" asks the viewer to re-imagine paper in the 21st century. Simultaneously precious, and disposable, paper has been the archival repository of our storytelling and the history of the world - a job now relegated to digital devices.

Shipps also asks us to re-imagine nature as we confront climate change, species extinction and genetic modification. Paperika Redux provides a re-imagined organic nature displayed against the background of the natural world beyond the windows in DeVos Place. Two primal cutting styles are used with several variations to combine, flow, morph and multiply, creating complexity from simplicity. By placing the paper on both the inside and outside on the glass, we bridge the gap and allow nature to come inside and free the art to overlay on the natural world.

The work is 24' high by 66' wide, consisting of 6 very large panels and 7 smaller panels. There were an estimated 200,000 cuts made to complete the piece. It was cut from a roll of Tyvek paper 9.5' x 150' using an x-acto knife. Several paper panels "pass through" the glass to appear on the outside of the building. The paper panels are held in place on four large metal grids using magnets, giving the work it's sculptural contouring effects.

The piece is informed by traditional paper cutting techniques from many cultures around the world.

Artprize is an international art event offering the world's largest cash prizes for an art competition. Over 1500 artists participated in 2011, exhibiting their work in oer 150 venue in Grand Rapids Michigan. For more information on Artprize, go to www.artprize.org