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On my way to Detroit I had time to visit NADA art fair which was most interesting.
We acquired some beautiful Laeh Glenn's from Night Gallery
And a lovely Despina Stokou from Derek Eller Gallery.
I liked this work at Duve Gallery.
And David Brooks at American Contemporary.
Josh Faught at Lisa Cooley.
Then the highlight of the week the visit to Detroit to MOCAD where with the help of Artangel in their grounds was the final resting place of the deceased Mike Kelley’s Mobile Homestead. It was a ghostly experience with Jim Shaw leading us to a small room in the homestead/community centre where there was a hole and ladder leading underground. We scurried from hole to hole like monkeys using heavy industrial ladders, feeling quite uneasy at the thought that we may never find our way out. The homestead is a replica of Mike’s childhood home which came to life on the year of his death. What was going on in Mike's head? Wear these caves where he dreamt you could hide and escape? Do these weird claustrophobic spaces have a more sinister meaning? We will never know.
Plan of the Mobile Homestead revealing its secrets...
Meanwhile back in the community centre above ground was an abundance of community activity. Children and families interacting in the fun packed activities.
We visited some wonderful places and there was a sadness and hope. There were beautiful houses around downtown scattered sporadically in the landscape such as the Z Villa. Many of the mansions were in ruins and could be bought for a steal.
The artist Tyree Guyton had approached downtown with the help of the community by building DIY artworks at the Heidelberg Project...
MOCAD were gracious hosts, I had to shorten my trip but thank goodness had time to grab an amazing lunch at the Hygrade Delicatessen. One of Mike Kelley’s old hangouts, now kept in business by the local S&M club next door.Myself and James Lingwood in front of the Deli.
Brian Boylan adding Mustard to his sandwich.
As I leave Lizzie arrives to take over and enjoy the second half of the trip. They all wave me goodbye.
Then Sunday was full of surprises. I go to visit Simon Preston Gallery and I walk into the marriage celebrations of Josh Tonsfeldt who took residency with us last year in Finland and Lauren Cornell from the New Museum.
Then a lovely group show at James Fuentes which included Eddie Peake and Matthew Darbyshire’s work. I liked the Prem Sahib work City Living.
Last stop was Rachel Lehmann’s space where Tracey Emin had her new show.
Her new body of work seemed vulnerable. The works in Chrystie street were a suite of drawings all of a similar nature and very delicate.
Tracey in her BA Pyjamas in the evening with her fellow little lamb chops to keep her company.
But before we get to bed on the big aeroplane in the sky we had time to visit PS1’s show EXPO 1. I thought the show was absorbing. I was not quite sure of the underlying philosophy around this show but there was a powerful theme running through. Adrian Villar Rojas work La Inocencia de los Animales was magnificent and awe inspiring.
We met the artist Agnes Denes who had managed to plant a two acre wheat field in Manhattan.
The question of art or no art appeared before me again or is it a hole in the wall. Alan Sarets Catholic solar wall temple.
Josh Kline had curated a show with his work and other artists within EXPO1. I loved this attempt at pushing the boundaries and saw some parallels with Sound Spill at 1500 Broadway. This show was a breath of fresh air and my favourite work was Flesh Diamonds by Dina Chang.
Then it was time to leave......and head for our big bed in the sky as we headed over the atlantic back to the UK. How can UK compete with what I saw in the US? Here is a good starter Mathias Faldbakken who sadly was in hospital getting his hand put back together after he cut it in half!?
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