One of the most challenging aspects of grappling with mental illness is not just the negotiation of an emotionally fraught psychic territory, but the social pressure to conceal whatever struggles may be happening internally. For women, especially young women, this struggle is a subset of the prevailing demand to present […]
CHICAGO — Confessions of an arts writer: my background is in theater design. Window Dressing, an exhibition by Diane Simpson currently on display at MCA Chicago, sent a thrill right to the secret place where I keep theater design in my heart. Theater sets exist at the precarious intersection of art […]
Drawing by Bridget Michael from a story I wrote.
Artist: Anthony Marcellini Location: Rose’s Fine Food Breakfast: AM – Coffee (black), On Fleek Platter SRS – Coffee (black), Chi-Chi Rice It’s always great to get a chance to talk to Anthony Marcellini, because that’s when you get to hear about the detailed effort and research he has put into […]
Have you been feeling a “freaky” but palpable urge to explore the no-man’s-land between Detroit’s Woodbridge neighborhood and the area surrounding Henry Ford Hospital? It may be that you are answering the invisible call of the newly-minted, 75-foot Freak Beacon, a fresh addition to the Lincoln Street Art Park. Funding […]
Artist: Gina Reichert Location: Laika Dog @ UFO Factory Breakfast: GR & SRS – Coffee (cream/black); BLT Omelette & Waffle Dog Duo (PB&J sauce/Raspberry Creme sauce) It was a real thrill to get to sit down with Gina Reichert, one half of the duo behind Power House Productions – kind […]
Detail view of Anthony Marcellini, “When Bricks Become Verses” (2016), 26 photographs on shelf, produced with Forterra Brick, Corunna, Michigan, and photographed by P.D. Rearick (all images courtesy Anthony Marcellini and Simone DeSousa Gallery) (click to enlarge) DETROIT — Object-oriented ontology suggests that inanimate objects have lives and wider spheres […]
Artist: Kelly Stickrod Location: The Fly Trap Breakfast: KS – Slacker Especial SRS – Coffee (black), Gingerbread Waffle, side of breakfast sausage (YOLO) It was great to get out for breakfast with Kelly Stickrod, who is a very recent grad from Cranbrook’s Architecture department – I saw her work at […]
It is time for one of my rare Unpaid and Unsolicited Promotions of Something Awesome. This is a special category I reserve for outstanding effort on the part of sometimes-unsung heroes who are being the change they want to see in this sometimes-motherfucker of a world. Casey Rocheteau is one […]
DETROIT — When was the last time you enjoyed a shared vibrational experience? Spend a little time around Detroit-based artist and educator Chris Reilly and you will likely get the opportunity, in one of his Intimate Instrument Workshops, which offer participants a unique interpersonal art activity. I attended a workshop […]