January 21, 2020
DLECTRICITY Site #1: Legends Plaza at the Detroit Historical Museum
One of our most favorite locations for showcasing large-scale projections is Legends Plaza at the Detroit Historical Museum, but the best part about collaborating with artists on DLECTRCITY is witnessing the unexpected ways they illuminate a space like this!
The Detroit Historical Museum is the city’s premier destination for time traveling. You can walk the winding streets of Old Detroit, follow the Underground Railroad or make your way through an automotive factory—these are just few of the many things that the museum has to offer! Their permanent and temporary exhibitions never neglect to give visitors valuable take-aways: insight into Detroit milestones and hardships, and a deeper appreciation for where our city stands today.
The Detroit Historical Museum is operated by the Detroit Historical Society, an organization dedicated to the preservation of Detroit history and artifacts, founded in 1921. It also oversees the Dossin Great Lakes Museum on Belle Isle State Park. The Detroit Historical Museum was founded in 1928. It was then a small museum, occupying only a suite on the 23rd floor of what is now the Cadillac Tower in Downtown Detroit. Today, the museum is located in the cultural center of the city.
On the corner of Woodward Avenue and Kirby Street is Legends Plaza, a public memorial site dedicated to the cultural groundbreakers that hail from Detroit. Handprints of legends like Juan Atkins and Barry Sanders trim the perimeter of the plaza, making for an inspiring welcome to the Detroit Historical Museum and the perfect entryway to DLECTRICITY. The museum’s light-colored walls have previously allowed artists to transform the site into a theater, and the open space is large enough for a performance of any kind. In the past, DLECTRICITY has showcased artists such as Pope.L and Sue De Beer in the plaza, and we can’t wait to see who and what will be reimagining the exterior of the museum this coming September! Huge thanks to the Detroit Historical Society for providing another great site for art!
