Big Project

Posted by: Christine Golus

My first visit to The Heidelberg Project in Detroit was nearly 20 years ago. It was a bitter cold day in January. My friend, who knew Tyree Guyton and his work, drove us into the neighborhood to show us “his project”. My memory is of fogged up car windows, polka dots, and baby dolls on houses. I’m not sure what I really thought at the time. Definitely interesting. Definitely “something” was going on here. The neighborhood was scary.  

Since then I continued to read about Guyton’s efforts to use his art to “provoke thought, promote discussion, inspire action and heal communities.”  I’ve see many images of the Heidelberg Project online. At the Detroit Institute of Arts I was startled by “Caged Brain” which eerily brought to life a nightmare I once had (the “rope” in my dream was snakes, yikes!).  

A few weeks ago I finally had a return trip with out of town friends from who knew of Guyton’s work. It was a beautiful, warm, blue sky, Saturday. Heidelberg Street was lined with cars. Many visitors strolled in and around the installations. We walked around the blocks – thoughtfully and quietly. It was a powerful visit. Meditative, thought-provoking, restorative. Success.

To support the Heidelberg Project visit: http://www.heidelberg.org/

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