Experience DLECTRICITY This Weekend

DLECTRICITY TO LIGHT UP MIDTOWN DETROIT THIS WEEKEND, NIGHTTIME OUTDOOR FESTIVAL OF ART & LIGHT IS BIGGER AND BRIGHTER THAN EVER

Produced by Midtown Detroit, Inc., DLECTRICITY returns with over 40 art installations from Cultural Center and Beacon Park on September 24 & 25

DLECTRICITY is bigger and brighter than ever with over 40 international, national and Detroit-based artists that will transform the Cultural Center with cutting-edge outdoor art installations from giant illuminated sculptures to video projections on iconic museums and buildings
Outdoor festival focuses on safe visitor experiences in beautiful open, public spaces
Light Bike Parade, the official “Rolling Art Installation” returns on September 25

This weekend Midtown Detroit will light up with DLECTRICITY, where attendees can walk, bike and explore an illuminated Cultural Center and Beacon Park for the outdoor nighttime festival of art and light. DLECTRICITY will showcase over 40 artists from Detroit and across the globe who have been commissioned to create stunning art, light and technology installations. Produced by Midtown Detroit, Inc. and presented by DTE Energy Foundation, DLECTRICITY will take place in open, public spaces on Sept. 24 and 25, 2021 from 7 p.m. to Midnight. A complete list of artists and event details may be found here. Images are available here and a video is available here.

“We are excited for DLECTRICITY’s highly anticipated return this weekend, celebrating the immense power of art and culture in bringing us together,” said Susan Mosey, executive director, Midtown Detroit, Inc. “The festival is back and bigger than ever this year, featuring over 40 incredible artists and installations from around the world and Detroit. We are grateful to our partners whose support makes it possible to bring this beautiful outdoor event to Midtown Detroit, allowing us to safely connect with art and one another.”

The event is inspired by other international festivals known for bringing the best of contemporary light and technology-based arts to the streets of major cities from all over the world. DLECTRICITY features artists from Australia, France, Germany, Japan, New York, Los Angeles, Miami and Detroit.

DLECTRICITY 2021 marks the fourth edition and includes the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, College for Creative Studies, Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit Historical Museum, Detroit Public Library, Michigan Science Center, Scarab Club, the University of Michigan’s Rackham Building, Beacon Park and DTE’s Circle Park. DLECTRICITY has presented major light-based festivals in 2012, 2014 and 2017.

World-Renowned International and Local Artists

DLECTRICITY will host internationally acclaimed artists including Yann Nguema, Amanda Parer, among others to show a range of high-quality light-based projects. Artists include:

Jake Fried | Brain Wave, Mind Frame and Night Vision | Three video projections of mesmerizing hand-drawn stop-motion animations | Michigan Science Center, 5020 John R St, Detroit, MI 48202

Tiff Massey | Get Big! | Interactive audiovisual installation that immerses visitors in a real-time music video | Detroit Public Library Cass Avenue Entrance, Main Branch, 5201 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48202

Amanda Parer | Man | Giant illuminated inflatable sculpture of a contemplative figure | Detroit Public Library – Main Branch, 5201 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48202

Yann Nguema | Parallels | Mapped video projection with sound and lasers featuring elaborate animations based on art objects from the Detroit Institute of Arts collection | Presented in partnership with the Detroit Institute of Arts | Detroit Institute of Arts, 5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI 48202

New D Media | Bird in Paradise | Mapped video projection of a historical and dreamlike journey inside the mind of Jazz legend Charlie “The Bird” Parker | Presented in partnership with the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History | Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, 315 E Warren Ave, Detroit, MI 48201

Mentalgassi | Illuminated Balloon Heads – Detroit | Portraits of notable Detroiters on large, illuminated inflatable spheres | College for Creative Studies, Josephine F. Ford Sculpture Garden, 201 E Kirby St, Detroit, MI 48202

Jake Chidester and Aliysn Malek/Corktown Studios| The Sidewalk Ballet AKA: The Arkestral Procession |Interactive audiovisual mechanisms that turns visitors into walking instruments | College for Creative Studies, Josephine F. Ford Sculpture Garden, 201 E Kirby St, Detroit, MI 48202

Stephanie Dinkins | On Love & Data and Holding Space | Video projection that illuminates the power and resilience in black women’s stories, reminding us that sharing and receiving stories is an act of resistance | Curated and presented by Stamps Gallery, University of Michigan | University of Michigan Horace H. Rackham Educational Memorial Building, 60 Farnsworth St., Detroit, MI 48202

Nat Morris and friends | The Scene | Programmed music stage and dance floor based on “The Scene,” Detroit’s popular televised dance show from the 1970s-80s | DTE’s Circle Park 1 Energy Plaza, Detroit, MI 48226

DLECTRICITY Light Bike Parade

The DLECTRICITY Light Bike Parade, the official “Rolling Art Installation,” sponsored by Shinola is returning on Saturday, September 25. Starting at Traffic Jam & Snug Restaurant, the electrifying 3-mile route will include Midtown and Beacon Park. The public is invited to participate, and registration is now open here.

QLINE Detroit

DLECTRICITY is partnering with QLINE, which will offer special free service for DLECTRICITY on Friday and Saturday night beginning at 6 p.m. The QLINE will feature their own special moving art installation. For details on the QLINE, please visit qlinedetroit.com.

Face masks are encouraged for festival attendees with mask-required zones for specific experiences; hand sanitizing stations will be found throughout the festival footprint; and open spaces will encourage social distancing.

Detroit’s Cultural Center is an 83-acre site in the Midtown district. The space has some of the most preeminent institutions of Detroit, which together represent the highest density of cultural institutions per acre in the country outside of the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. Prior to COVID, the Cultural Center attracted 2 million visitors per year.

DLECTRICITY is presented by DTE Energy Foundation. Partners providing funding for this arts celebration include the William Davidson Foundation, Knight Foundation, The Kresge Foundation, Detroit Institute of Arts, Midtown Detroit, Inc., Downtown Detroit Partnership, Rocket Community Fund, MI Humanities, Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, Marc Schwartz, Lisa Applebaum, Shinola Detroit and the Farbman Group. Media sponsors include Fox 2 Detroit and WDET 101.9 FM. For more information, visit dlectricity.com.

*Editor’s note: Midtown Detroit, Inc. will host a press preview the evening of Thursday, September 23. For more information, please visit here.

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Press Contacts:

Heather George, Lovio George, 248-417-5773, [email protected]

Annmarie Borucki, Midtown Detroit, Inc., 313-420-6000, [email protected]

About Midtown Detroit, Inc.

Midtown Detroit, Inc. (MDI) is a nonprofit planning and development agency charged with revitalization of Detroit’s Woodward Corridor. Representing over 150 area stakeholders, including Detroit’s anchor educational, medical and cultural institutions, MDI provides public space maintenance and security services; marketing support; technical assistance; infrastructure and real estate development; small business support; grant administration; and arts programming for the district. Visit midtowndetroitinc.org for more info.