Maybe you’ve heard this before: when the going gets tough, the tough get going. The Detroit art community has been living it. This looks at a couple of instances of local art progress, and reminds of the continuing courage and support needed.
Examples of Detroit art forging ahead
Detroit’s grit is Lions football and then some, such as art.
Detroit ceramic institutions are collaborating and looking forward
On March 25-28 of next year, the prestigious annual National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA) will be held in Detroit.
Detroit’s College for Creative Studies (CCS) has been emphasizing depth of knowledge for all aspects of ceramics. This includes, for example, wood kiln firings. These firings are instructional and exciting, requiring planning and attention to detail. Wood firings happen periodically at CCS and are interesting to watch!
Efforts to unionize are gaining traction
Workers at the world-known Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) have announced their formation of a union: Detroit Institute of Arts Cultural Workers United. (Pictured: one of the 27 fresco panels created and on display at the DIA – the iconic work of Diego Rivera, collectively named ‘Detroit Industry’.)
The fledgling artist union is important for the workers and for the world art community. They are fighting for “better working conditions, better pay, and better management”, according to this article by Detroiter Andrew Wright. These are chronic and immediate needs. Solid unionization can help in many ways and more unions are anticipated.
Intriguing modern media and messaging
Metro Detroit artist and writer Robert Erlandson’s most recent book is “Zip Code 48209” which shows his roots and gives an interesting inside look at Mexican Town.
Erlandson produces and uses fractals, which he sometimes uses in conjunction with Japanese Haiga. He combines the images with poetry of the haiku form. Standalone fractals are striking on a thin metal medium.
The Detroit art scene is recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for its creative use of design in sustainable urban development. It is a prestigious award, shared with cities like Saint-Etienne (France), Dundee (Scotland), and a few others.
Dictatorial challenges to the Detroit art scene
The art community is like the canary in the coal mine. Authoritarians fear art because it threatens their control; rather, they seek to use art as a means to control. So, when politics get harsh, art institutions and the artists are among the first targeted. History shows that when the arts are attacked, social order and democracy are at risk.
Today’s politics have increased censorship, restricted funding, limited content related to DEI and gender ideology, etcetera. Conditions restrict the artists from using their work as a form of protest or expressing dissent.
Two years ago, Detroit witnessed heavy-handed responses to art student protests against the Gaza conflict. Authorities squashed the protests; the killings continue. This suppressive action put a lasting hurt on the student artists. Sadly, patrons of the arts are sometimes most harshly political. There are less galleries now. Artists have been creative in finding outlets and opportunities. Thankfully, starving artists are also tough and determined.
Art is more important and precious than many of us realize
Good art never goes out of style, but it can be snuffed out. Artists and society at large need to have courage for sake of the arts. Let’s keep it safe and prospering in Detroit.