DETROIT LIVES! // the exhibition is an annual gallery event highlighting people, places and projects that are moving the city of Detroit forward.

2010′s Exhibition took a close look at Detroit’s forward rumbles through the works of Chazz Miller, Evan Hall, Crank Graphics and Erica Shearer.  From Miller came works from his critically acclaimed Popillon Effect (info), a project in his neighborhood on the Northwest side of Detroit where intricately painted butterflies were hung on buildings, light posts and otherwise as a form of beautification and a metaphor for growth and change. Evan Hall contributed a piece from an architectural project, whereby a modular living unit was created that adopts to weather patterns and its surrounding environment. Crank Graphics took a creative look at land ownership in Detroit with an interactive map parcel by parcel, telling a tale of activism as it relates to assuring Detroit’s future stays with the people. Those in attendance were encouraged to participate in DL!’s “stART space” project whereby a large panel of canvas was available for each person to illustrate.

2009′s exhibition told a story behind Detroit’s movements through film, photography, music and other mixed media on display at the Ladybug Gallery in Southwest Detroit. As a media and design collective, DETROIT LIVES! presented the official screening of the short film “The Farmer and the Philosopher“– the story of Detroit’s forward progress told through the prism of two totally different figures changing the city in their own way. Vanessa Miller presented her photo essay “Making it Happen”– stripped down, expressive portraits of people in Detroit all under the age of 30 that are changing the face of the city with their respective initiatives. Jerry Paffendorf was on hand showing off his project LOVELAND that sells off inches of land in Detroit with ideas for creative re-use.  Alan Scheurman played music from his album “Old Patterns” and new recorded material. See the official press release from the event here.

Photos from the event by Andrea Adelman:

Stay tuned to the blog for more gallery events and otherwise.