U-M Detroit Center opens gallery with show that interacts with MLK/Woodward intersection

A new Midtown gallery has opened with the goal of bringing the Ann Arbor and Detroit art scenes closer and inspiring collaboration.

The University of Michigan School of Art & Design will celebrate the grand opening of its new permanent exhibition space, Work : Detroit, on Sept. 22 with a show called "Intersection." The gallery has been built in the lobby of the university's Detroit Center, which is located at the northwest corner of Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd and Woodward Avenue.

Designed by architect Christian Unverzagt of M1/DTW, Work : Detroit is simple and efficient with an angular horizontal wooden plane serving as both an entry desk and visual highlight. The gallery posed design limitations since it is still used as a lobby. Unverzagt created movable and hanging panels to increase the usability of the space.

Director of Exhibitions Nick Sousanis, who also runs TheDetroiter.com, aims to use the space to create dialogues and further long-term interactions between Detroit and Ann Arbor. "It can be both a place to have things," he says, referring to shows, lectures and meetings, "and a launch pad."

For the gallery's debut show, Ann Arbor and Detroit artists were asked to ruminate about the Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd and Woodward Avenue intersection. Some artists took the task quite literally, with trash collected and documented by Stephen Schudlich and a bus stop erected -- and manned -- by Rachel Timlin and Nick Tobier. "U-M's School of Art & Design is interested in art as a part of the community, part of social change," Sousanis says.

Other artists showing work in "Intersection" include Miroslav Cukovic, Anne Fracassa, Scott Hocking, Jack Johnson, Andy Malone, Jocelyn Rainey and Vito Valdez.

The exhibit opening is from 6 to 9 p.m. with a 7:30 p.m. dedication. Call 313-593-0527.

Stay tuned to Model D for a full-length feature on Work : Detroit post-opening. For more about Unverzagt and M1/DTW, check out this article.

Source: Nick Sousanis, UM School of Art and Design
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh