Thank you to everyone who applied for the DLECTRICITY™ 2017 Open Call for Entries! We received applications from 29 different countries and all across the U.S. We’re excited to now dive in and read your proposals. An announcement about the winners will be made in June! So stay tuned…
There are two weeks left to get your applications submitted for the DLECTRICITY Open Call! Visit https://midtowndetroitinc.slideroom.com/ to find the application, view the Guidelines and FAQs here on our site, and contact us at [email protected] with your questions!
Don’t delay, apply today!
DLECTRICITY needs your art! In addition to inviting world-class artists working in mediums like video and technology, DLECTRICITY presents the best of local, regional and international artists selected from our Open Call for Entries!
Check out the DLECTRICITY Open Call Guidelines and FAQ for complete information about the event. Apply online via Slideroom here.
More questions? Ask us in person at our Info Session at the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD) on Saturday, January 28, 11 AM.
The deadline is February 28 so don’t delay, get ready to APPLY NOW!
This year’s edition of DLECTRICITY, presented by DTE Energy, brought 150,000 visitors to experience an illuminated Midtown Detroit, where more than one-mile of the Woodward Corridor shined with nearly 40 installations of art and light for the nighttime festival on September 26 and 27. Produced by Midtown Detroit, Inc., DLECTRICITY doubled attendance from its debut in 2012 and the Light Bike Parade on Saturday night attracted 2,500 cyclists for the four-mile ride, four times more than the inaugural parade.
“We were thrilled to see thousands of people walk our neighborhood in Midtown to experience two spectacular nights of art and light,” said Sue Mosey, president of Midtown Detroit, Inc. “From DTE Energy, our funders, the cultural institutions and our incredible artists to Wayne State Police and hundreds of volunteers, many came together to make DLECTRICITY possible. We are grateful to have partners who support the arts and creative place-making in Detroit.”
DLECTRICITY is modeled after other Nuit Blanche festivals known for bringing the best of contemporary light and technology-based arts to the streets of major cities like Paris, Rome, Toronto, Minneapolis and New York. The event featured more than 35 internationally-acclaimed, local and emerging artists from around the world, including Australia, Canada, Germany, Italy, Sweden, New York, Boston, Los Angeles and Detroit.
Venues that hosted installations included cultural gems such as the Detroit Institute of Arts, College for Creative Studies, Michigan Science Center, Detroit Historical Museum Plaza, Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit, Detroit Public Library, C.H. Wright Museum of African American History, Detroit Symphony Orchestra and more.
Debuting in the fall of 2012, DLECTRICTY attracted 75,000 people to Midtown. Highlights from this year’s DLECTRCITY presented by DTE Energy may be found at dlectricity.com
DLECTRICITY is presented by DTE Energy, and supported by the following foundations and organizations: The Kresge Foundation, The Knight Foundation, The William Davidson Foundation, Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, The Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Family Foundation, Quicken Loans, Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and The National Endowment for the Arts, Detroit Institute of Arts, MASCO Foundation, the Marcia and Eugene Applebaum Family Foundation, Lauren and Phillip Fisher, Shinola, Flagstar Bank, Northern Trust Bank, College for Creative Studies, the Detroit Medical Center, Wheelhouse Detroit, Marc A. Schwartz, Alan and Marianne Schwartz, The Kaufman Memorial Trust, Wayne State University, Midtown Detroit, Inc., Fox 2 News, The Metro Times, and WDET.
DLECTRICITY is an exciting evening and we expect record-breaking crowds. This may lead to heavy traffic, congested streets and confusion about parking. To make the experience easier, we have a few recommendations for the best parking structures throughout the area, listed below. However, we strongly suggest visiting Wayne State University’s link, here, which features an interactive and highly detailed map for more parking options.
– Structure 1 on Palmer (at the corner of Cass)
– Structure 3 on Warren Ave. (at Woodward Ave. & John R)
– Structure 6 on Putnam (at Cass Ave. & Woodward Ave.)
– Structure 8 on Forest Ave. (at Cass Ave. & Woodward Ave.)
– The Detroit Symphony Orchestra Structure (on Parsons St.)
Parking will range from $7- $10, so please be prepared with cash and in some circumstances, credit card. As a reminder, there will be no parking along Woodward Avenue due to M1-Rail construction. For more information about this process, please refer to the M1-Rail website, found here.
We do have a map of the DLECTRICITY projects which also indicates parking structures, restroom locations, ATMs, and the Light Bike Parade Route. You may find it beneficial to park close to the Zone you would most like to explore or the project you would most like to see; you can find this map here.
Due to traffic congestion on Woodward, the Dlectricity shuttles are taking 30 minutes and longer. It is highly recommended that you walk or bike through the festival foot print, if possible. Thank you for your patience!
The Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) MaxCast has been relocated from the Carpenter’s Building on Woodward to the wall of the DSO facing Parson’s Street. The MaxCast is still scheduled to begin at 8pm each night of DLECTRICITY.
Now on the Carpenter’s Building will be a new video from returning DLECTRICITY artist Dawn of Man. This is an exciting new addition to the DLECTRICITY program this year!
DLECTRICITY, Detroit’s nighttime festival of art and light, features 39 art and light installations, family programming, performances, Light Bike Parade and more
This weekend Midtown Detroit will light up with DLECTRICITY, presented by DTE Energy, where thousands are expected to walk, bike and explore an illuminated Woodward Corridor for the nighttime festival of art and light. The two-day free, outdoor Nuit Blanche festival features artists from around the world and Detroit whose works of art and light will span more than 1 mile from the Detroit Institute of Arts to the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, September 26–27, from 7 p.m. to midnight. A complete listing of DLECTRICITY programming is available at DLECTRICITY.com.
“We are privileged to have some of the city’s most remarkable cultural and architectural gems in Midtown that will serve as the backdrop for DLECTRICITY,” said Sue Mosey, president of Midtown Detroit, Inc. “DTE Energy along with the generous support from foundations, cultural institutions and our corporate and community partners make this world-class event possible, showcasing Midtown Detroit as an international arts destination.”
Produced by Midtown Detroit, Inc., DLECTRICITY is modeled after other Nuit Blanche festivals known for bringing the best of contemporary light and technology-based arts to the streets of major cities like Paris, Rome, Toronto, Minneapolis and New York.
The Woodward Corridor will be transformed into an urban spectacle with art installations of light, video, performance, interactive engineering and other unexpected works of art. Venues hosting installations include: Detroit Institute of Arts, College for Creative Studies, Michigan Science Center, Detroit Historical Museum Plaza, Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit, Detroit Public Library, C.H. Wright Museum of African American History, Detroit Symphony Orchestra and more.
For two-electrifying nights, visitors can walk, bike or take a free shuttle along the festival route to explore DLECTRICITY presented by DTE Energy:
World-Renowned International and Local Artists
DLECTRICITY features artists from around the world, including Australia, Canada, Germany, Italy, Sweden, New York, Boston, Los Angeles and Detroit. The collection of acclaimed international and local artists will illuminate the city with 39 art and light installations: Nathalie Djurberg and Hans Berg | The Black Pot; Sue de Beer | The Legendary Leland City Club; Shaun Gladwell | Broken Dance (Beatboxed); Mindfield | P.O.V.; Compagnia T.P.O. | Kindur: The Adventurous Life of Icelandic Sheep; Osman Khan | House; Casa Magica | Sound Spheres and more.
Sparking Imaginations of All Ages
The DLECTRICITY Family Zone at Woodward and Warren will spark the imagination with interactive art installations the entire family will enjoy. Jump into D MET Design’s “Mike Teavee” stage set, allowing children and kids-at-heart to fulfill the ubiquitous fantasy of being ‘sent by television.’ Also don’t miss the children’s performance by Compagnia T.P.O. of Italy at the Garden Theater (performances at 7 and 9 p.m. each night) and MineD Intervention by Rebekah Blesing at the Detroit Institute of Arts where this Minecraft-inspired project has Detroit’s children reimagine the city’s urban landscape. Check out
http://mined2014.org for more information.
Special Events and Performances throughout the Weekend
There are many special events happening before and during DLECTRICITY, including:
DLECTRICITY Light Bike Parade
Light up your wheels. The DLECTRICITY Light Bike Parade is on Saturday, September 27 at 8 p.m., where cyclists will bike a 4-mile route through Midtown, adding extra light and energy to the streets. There are three different start times: Quick Riders, Moderate Riders and Family Riders. Cyclists are encouraged to register for the Light Bike Parade in advance at: www.lightbikeparade.eventbrite.com.
Intersection of Arthttp://www.eventbrite.com/e/dlectricity-light-bike-parade-registration-12609012897 + Design
DLECTRICITY is pleased to join forces with the Detroit Design Festival (DDF) this year to explore the juxtaposition between art and design when these two distinct festivals intersect September 26-27. At the center of DLECTRICITY’s footprint, the DDF will host a Design Village, featuring the work of dozens of Detroit’s independent designers and a range of displays from furniture, interior, and graphic and fashion design. The Midtown Design Village will be located at the southwest corner of Woodward and Warren, September 26-27, 7:00 p.m. – midnight.
Debuting in the fall of 2012, DLECTRICTY attracted 75,000 people to Midtown. To experience DLECTRICITY presented by DTE Energy, visitors can walk, bike or take a free shuttle bus with three stops along the festival route: Woodward and Kirby, Woodward and Garfield, and Woodward and Selden. Free bike valet is available to the public at Woodward and Warren. New this year, visitors will find a food truck rally on Kirby outside of the Park Shelton and a beer garden on the lawn of the Hellenic Museum. Visit
DLECTRICITY.com to download the program guide, event map, details on parking and more.
DLECTRICITY Program Update: The Scott Reeder “Shhhh” neon artwork has been relocated to the façade of the G.R. N’Namdi Center for Contemporary Art.
DLECTRICITY is presented by DTE Energy, and supported by the following foundations and organizations: The Kresge Foundation, The Knight Foundation, The William Davidson Foundation, Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, The Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Family Foundation, Quicken Loans, Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and The National Endowment for the Arts, Detroit Institute of Arts, MASCO Foundation, the Marcia and Eugene Applebaum Family Foundation, Lauren and Phillip Fisher, Shinola, Flagstar Bank, Northern Trust Bank, College for Creative Studies, the Detroit Medical Center, Wheelhouse Bikes, Marc A. Schwartz, Alan and Marianne Schwartz, The Kaufman Memorial Trust, Wayne State University, Midtown Detroit, Inc., Fox 2 News, The Metro Times, and WDET.
www.dlectricity.com
www.facebook.com/dlectricity
www.twitter.com/MidtownDetroit
#DLECTRICITY
DLECTRICITY programs are now available! Programs will be available at venues in Midtown Detroit beginning the week of September 15th. Programs will also be inserted in a number of newspapers to select zip codes in the metro Detroit area the week before Dlectricity, including the Detroit Free Press, the Detroit News, the New York Times, the Michigan Chronicle, the Grosse Pointe News, and others. Or stop by the Midtown Detroit, Inc. office to pick up a program. Our office is located at 3939 Woodward, Suite 100, directly next door to Great Lakes Coffee at the corner of Woodward and Alexandrine. Or call 313.420.6000 to request your copy today!
Re-envision Detroit using Minecraft!
Sign up to project your vision onto the wall of the DIA! http://mined2014.org
Build with us NOW on our custom Minecraft server. Visit the server address: mined2014.org:25535
In MINEDintervention: DETROIT2014 old world materials and today’s technologies meet in a virtual space. Minecraft, the video game, is about breaking and placing blocks in a world of infinite building possibilities. In this project Detroit’s children re-imagine the city’s industrial architecture. The project playfully situates children as designers, exploiting game technology as a means for empowerment. By emphasizing the interconnectedness of space and people through large-scale projection, the game is inverted.
Virtual textured cubes made of substances such as wood, iron, diamond, or lava, will be projected onto the façade of the Detroit Institute of Arts, thus animating its surface. The fantastical structures, envisioned by Detroit’s youth, will construct and deconstruct the city into a choreographed vision of the future. We can imagine virtually deconstructing the side of DIA, projecting fountains of flowing lava, doorways to underground caves, or user controlled explosions.
Using the interactive and multi-player function of the game, children will be presenting live building performances and giving virtual public tours of their creations in real time!
Sign up to participate at http://mined2014.org
Artist Rebekah Blesing and her collaborators are currently creating custom texture pack and seeking music suggestions for the juke box. What materials should they build with? Do you know of local bands or music that best represent Detroit? Email your ideas or questions to [email protected]
