Comments on: Public Folk Art

By: John Jones

John Jones — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 18:52:02 +0000

Tyree knows that real art is of the Spirit. Tyree’s work speaks to me on a spiritual level. I am very grateful for his work.

By: Maggie Barber

Maggie Barber — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 20:46:57 +0000

I will never forget my first visit to The Heidelburg Project. It seemed as though my son and I had entered a “magical oasis” in the middle of inner-city Detroit! Tyree Guyton is the founder/”magician” of the Project. Meeting Tyree and hearing his story was amazing. His vision of “connecting the dots” is spreading across the globe. Tyree is a true visionary who is changing the planet….one dot at a time.

By: VisuaLingual

VisuaLingual — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 18:23:32 +0000

I just came across info on a similar project to the ones mentioned above, in the Tenderloin in SF. It's an alley next to a gallery that now contains a garden and whose walls are adorned with murals: current photos older photos

By: justforview

justforview — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 00:33:36 +0000

I pretty much agree with you Kevin, these mechanism’s do have their purpose and it is a balance between expressionand property rights. But after reading this article in the Boston Globe I would argue that if what you are looking for is clear expectations regarding the aesthetic issues related to property values there are places that offer just that.

They are communities with deed restrictions and special homeowners associations. Gated communities are big business because there is a demand for those protections.

On the other hand there is also a desire of people to live in tolerant, authentic, creative, and diverse neighborhoods. This does get abused, and tolerance should go hand in hand with respect.

My issue with some aspects of zoning is that it often doesn’t take it as a case by case basis, and when it does it is targeted political enforcement rather than protection for perceived social value.

Obviously, the Heidelberg Project has a special magic about it and is distinct from many tacky yard decorations. It is great to hear the testimony of some of those the project has touched personally. It makes me even more curious of other examples and the various scales of expereince that this type of public folk art has.

It is a sort of DIY community development. The ability, however small, to take part in the shaping of the places we live in is critical to being invested in those places. We all have different priorities but I don’t want a stable financial investment as much as a stable social environment. If I can have both all the better.

By: Kevin LeMaster

Kevin LeMaster — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 21:38:52 +0000

Feel free to ransack my posts anytime!

There is indeed a fine line between what one would consider art and what is just a collection of junk. I’m glad there is at least some mechanism in place to address this sort of thing.

We’ve all seen garish, tacky Christmas displays that look like the Dollar General holiday aisle exploded in someone’s yard. These are short-lasting, but what if you lived next door to something similar all year round? What if the majority of your neighbors hated it and thought that it could lower their property values? Here we cross into an area where a person’s right to free expression infringes upon the rights of others.

These are just questions I raise…I like a funky house as much as the next guy, and I assess them on a case-by-case basis.

By: Rochelle Forester

Rochelle Forester — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 19:55:08 +0000

Friends of ours are originally from the very vital east coast. They have lived in the Detroit area for 6 or so years. When we took them to see the Heidelberg project they were pensive and spent alot of time looking around. Later, over dinner, they commented that this was the coolest thing they had seen of Detroit since they’d arrived here. They had been hungering for something authentic as an antidote to urban wasteland and suburban sprawl and the Heidelberg Project was exciting to them.

By: Nancy Stockmann

Nancy Stockmann — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 22:01:46 +0000

Tyree Guyton, the artist who created the Heidelberg Project in downtown Detroit, is one of the most amazing individual I have had the privilege of “finding”. I was driving my car one day, when I passed a chain link fence, covered with smiling
faces, which stood in front of a suburban elementary school…I almost drove off the road, the faces were so compelling. I came back later that day to take time to look at every single one, there were hundreds. Tyree had been a “visiting guest artist” who had shared his love of art with children, and in the process, had created new artists! Each child, 2nd through 5th grade, had painted a self portrait on a 10″ x 10″ wooden board. The faces were proudly hung on the chain link fence…smiling, creative, endearing portraits for all to see as they drove by. Tyree, in 2 short days, empowered children, of all skills levels, to be successful, expressive, artists…there was not a single face that wasn’t wonderful. As an artist, I was awed by his contageous spirit…as a Mother, I was grateful for his ability to empower and enrich the lives of children…giving each one a sense of pride in their own ability, and pride in their success at drawing positive attention to their school and their community. They will never forget him, I will never forget him. Singlehandedly, Tyree “changed” lives and taught children that they could capture attention and make statements through positive endeavors. He gave voice to art, a voice to children through art, and engineered a commitment to change through art. We in Detroit have a passionate change agent in our midst who is making a statement with all of his creative projects… drawing attention to matters begging attention…aren’t we lucky!

By: Jenenne Whitfield

Jenenne Whitfield — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 18:05:53 +0000

I am awestruck by the far reaching tentacles of the Heidelberg Project. This project changed my life and there are many who might say that there was nothing wrong with my life in the first place. Afterall, I was a successful banker climbing the corporate ladder of success. Nevertheless, the Heidelberg Project opened my eyes and raised my level of consciousness on a human level. For all who read, I want you to know that the Heidelberg Project has changed other lives as well–all over the world! It has given children in the community choices; it has given the poor new hope; it has created a dynamic forum for a healthy exchange of ideas that is inclusive of all people and it is empowering.

I invite you to check out our website http://www.heidelberg.org to learn more about what we do and find a way to get involved. I promise that you will get as much as you might give. Thanks to all who recognized the powerful creative energy of this work.

By: VisuaLingual

VisuaLingual — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 15:30:59 +0000

In the case of Heidelberg, I would go a step further and say that it’s not just an important work of public art, but a bona fide example of DIY community planning. It has transformed the appearance and character of this neighborhood, in addition to Guyton having created a tourist destination out of colorful paint and rubbish. He has also enlisted the help of neighborhood children in the creation of many of the components of the project; that’s like a free after-school art program borne of the energy of a dedicated resident and artist.

I find it ironic that, for all the talk and strategy of community involvement in neighborhood revitalization, Heidelberg is actually a successful example of this [all controversy aside, I don't think its impact can be denied]. It proves that positive change can happen from the bottom up, not only from the top down. It needs energy and will more so than necessarily resources.

Sigh, I wish I saw more of this kind of energy in Over-the-Rhine.

By: Mike

Mike — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 15:27:56 +0000

It is wrong to restrict people from decorating how they like. Zoning should not discourage caring homeowners from creative expression. What would be more damaging to a neighborhood a Heidleberg type neighbor, or a 7-11 parking lot with glaring lights and an oil-stained asphalt parking lot?