The art of banana splits vs. the art of “Banana!” Currently on-tap over at Public Pool art space in Hamtramck, a fun and free-wheeling group show that employs, as its theme, one of society’s most compelling and universal symbols: the banana. A staple of comedy and diet alike, the banana was celebrated in its various […]

Finished products of hard weeks’ of work. The open iron-casting workshop by Carbon Arts Detroit being hosted more or less continuously throughout the first two weeks of June at 555 Gallery drew to a close this weekend. The open-format workshop culminated on Saturday, June 14th in a twilight metal-pouring that was the pay off to […]

“Unknowing the interstice” by Liam Slevin. Saturday, June 7th was a whirlwind night of artistic shenanigans in Hamtramck, one of the highlights being the opening for, “Unknowing the interstice,” an installation work by Popps Emporium’s current artist-in-resident, Liam Slevin. Native of Ireland, and more recently working out of Berlin, Germany, Slevin created this piece out […]

The crowd at the opening ceremony and unveiling of the piece in its new location. Photo courtesy of the Wayne State University School of Law Last Tuesday, June 3rd was the opening and dedication ceremony for “A Garland of Praise Songs for Rosa Parks,” an installation piece made in 2009 by artist Lester Johnson, and […]

Exploring new dimensions with artist Michael McGillis. Encountering work by artist Michael McGillis always leaves me with the feeling of being granted access to a world-within-the-world. Whether installing into natural surroundings, or installing “nature” into gallery settings, McGillis has an uncanny ability to create worlds both immersive and somehow artificial. I was able to catch […]

Gary Wagman spoke about events before the NATO 3 arrest, before reading some of his poetry reflecting upon the experience. On Thursday, May 29th, Trumbullplex, “Detroit’s sexiest anarchist collective,” hosted a fundraiser to benefit Marie Mason and the NATO3, activists who have been jailed for a series of offenses viewed to be unjust in the eyes […]

“Thasneen” (2014) by Karpov the Wrecked Train. Saturday, May 24th was the closing of The Dress Show, a collaborative effort between radio station WDET and Public Pool art space, and the first in WDET’s Gallery Takeover series. Produced by Courtney Hurtt, WDET created a segment that explores and collects stories behind the 13 dress shops […]

Artist Corrie Baldauf, with a pair of her signature signs. There was a large crowd on hand for the one-night-only event. On Thursday, May 22, the MOCAD (a Knight Arts grantee) played host to “An Evening of Art + Science,” a unique fundraising event that acted as a benefit for the A. Alfred Taubman Medical […]

Saturday, May 17 was the opening for “Living Images,” a short-term retrospective of work by influential Cuban artist Manuel Mendive. A national treasure in his own country, Mendive’s work draws upon traditional Afro-Cuban imagery, and creates a powerful balance of texture, symbolism and palette. “El equilibrio” (“Balance”). Several distinct groups are discernible in the works […]

Rodriguez, center stage before a packed house at the Masonic Temple. Attendance was lively at the Sixto Rodriguez concert on Tuesday, May 13th, which took place at the Masonic Temple in an area once known as the Cass Corridor—a neighborhood that has changed rapidly, much in the style of the captivating pencil drawing animation of […]

Steve Panton, against a backdrop of his adopted hometown of Hamtramck. I first got to know artist, engineer and curator Steve Panton through attending art occasions at his gallery space, 2739 Edwin, which offered consistently original and challenging work and workshops. The more I’ve learned about the goings and doings of this man involved in […]