Book Building
1227 Washington Blvd

Downtown Detroit
www.detroitmona.com/ARTCORE_1.htm

248-210-7560
detroitart@aol.com


Beneath MONA, on the ground floor of the Book Building are a whole collective of interesting, quirky and engaging galleries. Truth be told it is not always clear where one gallery space ends and another begins as visitors wind through the somewhat labyrinthine assemblage.


The galleries are the result of the vision of former MONA director, now ARTCORE head Jef Bourgeau. The concept is great: artists are given free storefronts to exhibit in exchange for working to clean up these sites. Not only does the artist get this free space, the building is getting use, making it more vital and more attractive to potential renters.


When the space is eventually rented, the artists move on to another space. This has already happened in several of Bourgeau’s spaces. In the meantime, artists get the chance to exhibit cheap in funky locales, and building owners get free renovation. It’s a good partnership that can only make the city a healthier place to live.


In the entrance space, Jane Speaks Modern Art, is a diverse body of work entitled Consumption. The show consists of 14 works by MSU graduate students all dealing with some interpretation of the word consumption. It’s a truly imaginative, thoughtful exhibition to spend time with.


Somewhere behind Jane Speaks, in the Flux Gallery, Sung-Eun Lee presents “The Layers of Wind.” Hundreds of spot-painted pieces of paper hang from the walls, creatively hung and making a truly unique division of space.


Upstairs in the Girlee Detroit Collective space, the women that make up the show tackle the subject of white and winter and cold in “Snow White". It’s an all too appropriate theme for this time of year and brings out a lot interesting takes on the subject.


All in all, this consortium of galleries is a pretty interesting place to find oneself. Together they open up new avenues for thought and exploration in the city people should be sure to check out. (Those interested in providing an empty space or running a gallery send email to: detroitart@aol.com)