Murals in the Market and the Detroit Design Festival Reign Again
Another late September passes in Detroit, and thus another season of eye-dropping and informative creativity flourishes. Detroit? Yes.
Often brushed off as a lost cause over the years, say what you want about my home town, but one thing that cannot be argued is its legacy as one of the great creative hubs of the world. From the stylized lines of the innovative early automotive designers, such as Harley J. Earl, to the dramatic architectural flourishes of the great Albert Kahn, the blues riffs of John Lee Hooker, the unmistakable groves of Berry Gordy’s Motown, its stature as the birthplace of Techno, and the unmistakable pen of the late Elmore Leonard …
Shall I continue? Nah, let’s just say there is a very valid reason that the Motor City became the first US metropolis to be designated as a UNESCO “City of Design” – joining what is now 116 members, in 54 countries, covering seven creative fields: Crafts & Folk Art, Design, Film, Gastronomy, Literature, Music and Media Arts.
Nothing reflected this better than what took place over the last week of September. It’s truly a grand celebration of the very best in creativity, as both the Murals in the Market and the Detroit Design Festival converged yet again to provide our community with an unforgettable reminder of what makes Detroit great.
Murals in the Market has quickly become one of the most prestigious street art festivals in the world, while the Design Fest likewise continues to provide an internationally heralded celebration of all levels of creativity – both events offering a feast of art, music, food, comrardarie and intellectual discussion.
For me, as both an individual and as a partner in the creative agency Crowd, this week of wonder was unforgettable and valued beyond compare.
Enough talk. Let’s allow the visuals to tell the story.
Artists: Brandan “BMike” Odums & Rick Williams.
Artists: Askew One & Sydney G. James.
Artist: Pat Perry.
Artist: Jonny Alexander.
Artist: Legendary automotive designer Camilo Pardo.
Pardo’s finished product. Photo: Nicole St. John/1XRun
Murals in the Market after-party bonfire as train whizzes by.
Muralist Fel300ft in conversation with an unidentified woman.
Panel discussion “The Commerce of Murals” – featuring (L to R) Murals in the Market Festival Director, Roula David; Creative Director of Art & Graphics at WeWork, Jeremiah Britton; Detroit artist, Ellen Rutt; Australian artist, Meggs; and 1xRUN CEO, Jesse Cory.
Artist: Meggs
Detroit Design Festival taking it to the streets.
Detroit Design 139 exhibit was looking great from the street.
Detroit Design Festival closes in conjunction with Eastern Market After Dark. AIA Detroit was providing the good times.
A great DJ set greeted guests at the Detroit Design 139 architectural exhibit.