A huge part of what we do here is making sure that the work and innovative models we are creating in response to interesting economic circumstances and opportunities is projected outward in to the world. I always say Detroit could write the rule-book for next-generation cities. It’s true. Economic systems worldwide are crumbling, cities are re-thinking their positions amidst globalization, and in Detroit we’ve been confronting the dire version of those circumstances for many years. And over the past three years, we’ve gotten significantly better at innovating with minimal resources. And this is the stuff that the country will deem more and more significant as cities struggle more and more. In the last week or so, two outfits locally have been getting national coverage that plays a significant part in moving the narrative about Detroit’s potential forward.

DETROIT Soup featured in Dwell Magazine, a national publication:

Patrick Thompson Design featured on Design Sponge:

A retrospective looking at all the Speakers Bureau films we have developed for the Detroit Creative Corridor Center. Go go gadget creative economy Detroit!

Bethany Shorb, Cyberoptix Tie Lab:

Rola Nashef, Gas Afterhours Productions:

Tim Smith, Skidmore Studio:

 Bethany Betzler and Matt Clayson, The Detroit Creative Corridor Center:

Chazz Miller, Public Art Workz:

Dan Kinkead and Melissa Ditmer, Hamilton Anderson Associates:

Philip Lauri, DETROIT LIVES!:

Josh Dahlberg, Blank Artists:

Jeevak Badve, American Specialty Cars:

Noah Stephens, The People of Detroit Photodocumentary:

WillDo Designs:

Oliver Ragsdale Jr., Carr Cultural Arts Center:

Patrick Thompson, Patrick Thompson Design:

Hot off the presses, check out our time lapse video of the first MANTRACITY Mural. This baby is located at Brush and Milwaukee in Detroit. There is a really long list of folks that were involved in arranging this mural, coming up with the concept, paying for it, designing it, painting it, doing the video, providing the music…. and on and on and on. Those folks are, in no order of importance:

Organizational Partners – Public Art Workz, Motor City Blight Busters
Concept – Travis Wright
Design – Philip Lauri, Nick Jaroch
Painting – Chazz Miller, Philip Lauri, Nick Jaroch, Dom Bisquiat
Music – Ish and Artwork
Film – Sean Redenz
Financial Support – Patrick Thompson, Courtney Roschek, Chris Damico

Stay tuned for more MANTRACITY murals around town!

So, maybe a month or so ago, I unleashed some of the details about the new mural series project called MANTRACITY– a play on the words mantra, city and monstrosity. The idea is to paint large-scale murals throughout the city that impart a positive, witty and slightly motivating message. There are a few locations secured, some of the designs are still being worked on, but it’s looking like this baby is set to start this week:

The mural is at the corner of Brush and Milwaukee in New Center. The Kahn reference is playing up to the fact that as you look at the wall, the Fisher Building, GM Building and Argonaut are all in sight just off to the right– each of which was designed by the famed Albert Kahn. It’s been a pleasure working with a pretty swell team on this– Chazz Miller, man with the plan at Public Art Workz, Travis Wright, Arts and Culture Editor at Metro Times and Patrick Thompson of Patrick Thompson Design.

Hoping to have some sort of film or slideshow to document the process of getting this first mural up. Keep your eyes peeled!