Michigan - Nick Cave at Cranbrook

Nick Cave's Here Hear is currently at Cranbrook Museum of Art in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. The exhibition includes many of his soundsuits as well as other more recent sculptural pieces and a tapestry created for Cranbrook.

It was as fun to watch viewers' reactions to his work, especially the few kids in attendance, as it was to view the pieces themselves. Each is a masterpiece in beadwork and artistry. Being a person who loves white space, minimalism, pieces that make me breathe deep soulful breaths, I was soon overwhelmed with trying to see the whole and so decided to concentrate on details - the beadwork, the funkiness and the footwear. Enjoy.

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Michigan - Heidelberg Project

The Heidelberg Project

Located in an edgy part of Detroit, the Heidelberg Project is fascinating.

a video was being made

 

It covers most of 2 still semi residential blocks.

Installations of collections are everywhere. I wondered if the owners/artists had collected and hung all of the shoes or if others had added a few here and there. It would be tempting to add an orphan or two when no one was looking. Think of all the abandoned shoes found on city streets - or pairs thrown over a wire. This would give them a new home and purpose.

detail of deteriorating shoe sole

Part whimsy,

part macabre,

Heidelberg Project captures your attention,

demanding a look here,

no! a look here...

Best this is the best view of all.

Michigan - Tour de Troit

Do you like riding your bike in the rain? For 30 miles? Me neither. Thankfully, Mother Nature

left to right - me, Ellie, John, Grace

showed mercy to the 7,000+ riders in the 2015 Tour de Troit last Saturday and rained only intermittently during the hours of the event.

The local ABC affiliate was reporting live all morning

and John was interviewed during the 9 o'clock broadcast.

photo by Grace Qudeen

Then we were off.

photo by Grace Qudeen

The 30 mile circuit took us through nearly fully abandoned areas,

photo by Grace Qudeen

past intersections blocked off by Detroit's finest,

photo by Grace Qudeen

to the corner by the Heidelberg Project 

photo by Grace Qudeen

and over the bridge

to the break point on Belle Isle. The last 10 miles of the ride included circling Belle Isle, with it's view of Canada right across the Detroit River and wicked head wind. 3+ hours after beginning, we arrived back at the starting point under welcoming bright blue skies.

We ended the day by going to the Tigers vs. Royals (Kansas City) game.

Grace and Ellie were lucky enough to get their hats signed by JD Martinez.

At some point, I checked my email and found a note from Pam. Seems she and her husband were watching the game. Is it bad form to admit that we ended up texting about the plays up until the 10th inning?

 

 Fireworks were the perfect end to an amazing day.