In
the "D", "D" doesn't really stand for
"Detroit", but "Demolition." Take a
look around and you'll notice a great number of buildings
marked on the front with a circled "D" in faint
chalk. Off to the side, many of these same buildings will
also have a noticeable dot, courtesy of our own native son,
Tyree Guyton. These dotted buildings have stood for so long
that they have become, arguably, the most memorable landmarks
of our fair city.
In addition to Tyree Guyton, Detroit has had more than
its fair share of artists who have taken notice of this
situation and done something about it. Recently, however,
we have taken up a particular project that has actually
netted results - faster than anyone, especially us, could
have anticipated.
The artistic move is simple, cover the front in Tiggeriffic
Orange - a color from the Mickey Mouse series, easily purchased
from Home Depot. Every board, every door, every window,
is caked in Tiggeriffic Orange. We paint the facades of
abandoned houses whose most striking feature are their derelict
appearance.
A simple drive would show you some of our most visible
targets.
Just off I-75, around the Caniff/ Holbrook exit, on the
west side, towers a three story house, saturated so deeply
in orange that it reflects color onto the highway with the
morning sun. Also, on the east side of the highway by the
McNichols exit, is another house screaming orange. In that
same area, where the Davison Highway and John C Lodge M-10
Highway intersect, sit a series of two houses painted orange,
most visible from the Lodge side. In our only location not
visible from the highway, on the Warren detour between 94
and 96 on Hancock Street, sat a house so perfectly set in
its color that it garnered approval from the Detroit Police
Department.
Two
of four locations have already been demolished. Of the four,
the building on Dequindre, by the Caniff/ Holbrook exit,
remains, as does the site that intersects the Lodge and
Davison. There was no "D" on any of the façades,
only burnt boards, broken glass, and peeling paint. Rallying
around these elements of decay, we seek to accentuate something
that has wrongfully become part of the everyday landscape.
So the destruction of two of these four houses raises a
number of interesting points. From one perspective, our
actions have created a direct cause and effect relationship
with the city. As in, if we paint a house orange, the city
will demolish it. In this relationship, where do the city's
motivations lie? Do they want to stop drawing attention
to these houses? Are the workers simply confused and think
this is the city's new mark for demolition? Or is this a
genuine response to beautify the city?
From another perspective, we have coincidently chosen buildings
that were set to be demolished within the month. However,
with so many circled "D"s on buildings, it seems
near impossible that chance would strike twice.
In any case, what will be the social ramifications of these
actions? Each of these houses serves within the greater
visual and social landscape of the city. If the city doesn't
rebuild, will it be better to have nothing there rather
than an abandoned house? In addition, each of these houses
served as a shelter for the homeless at some point in time.
Now there are, at least, two less houses for them. Why didn't
the city simply choose to renovate? Everything affects not
only our experience now, but also that of the next generation.
So
before they are all gone, look for these houses. Look at
ALL the houses in Detroit. If you stumble upon one of these
houses colored with Tiggeriffic Orange, stop and really
look. In addition to being highlights within a context of
depression, every detail is accentuated through the unification
of color. Broken windows become jagged lines. Peeling paint
becomes texture. These are artworks in themselves.
If you see a house that you would like to see painted orange,
paint it. Afterwards, email the good people at thedetroiter.com
at ws@thedetroiter.com.
These buildings aren't scenery. Don't look through or around
them. Take action. Pick up a roller. Pick up a brush. Apply
orange.
The dialogue is going. Our goal is to make everyone look
at not only these houses, but all the buildings rooted in
decay and corrosion. If we can get people to look for our
orange while driving through the city, then they will at
the same time, be looking at all the decaying buildings
they come across. This brings awareness. And as we have
already seen, awareness brings action.
Yours Truly,
the DDD project
