In 1932, a remarkable educational experiment opened on the Cranbrook campus in the suburbs of Detroit, a new Academy of Art for advanced studies in the visual arts. Conceived as a radical experiment in the education of artists, Cranbrook Academy of Art rejected the academic and theoretical focus of arts education of the day and instead embraced individual creativity and expression through the actual making of work as a cornerstone of its philosophy. With Eyes Opened, surveys the history of the Academy since its official founding. With more than 250 works representing the various programs of study at the school–architecture, ceramics, design, fiber, metals, painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture–the exhibition occupies all of the museum’s galleries. The largest such examination of the Academy since 1983.
Of course I’m drawn to a room full of paintings. They’re hung salon style to accommodate the many participants, which makes it difficult to separate one visual commentary from another. Outstanding in this melee of shape and color is McArthur Binion’s DNA: Study (Lake St. Clair). This abstraction via minimalism and texture seems to quietly vibrate. Upon closer inspection—I may have had a toe or two over the don’t-go-past-this-tape on the floor—you can see the layers of collage. Mysterious notes, names and numbers float in and out of the blue grid.
In the adjacent room are Cleon Peterson’s signature figures, now in super-sized brutality, decorating the walls like a giant Greek amphora. In perfect complement is Vivian Beer’s Anchored Candy no. 11. Although dwarfed by the menacing wall figures, the steel holds its own while a bit of draped burgundy appears pliable.
One of Nick Cave’s Soundsuits beckons from the next gallery. Cave created these suits after the Rodney King incident as a way to hide a person’s physical appearance in order to escape judgement and the subsequent physical and/or verbal assault. Cave spent the summer of 2015 in Detroit delighting us with all manner of creations. I had the pleasure of interviewing him and have to say it was one of my all-time favorite conversations. His compassion, imagination and attention to detail make him a brilliant, if not involuntary, ambassador for the Detroit art community.
Columbian artist Olga de Amaral was introduced to weaving during her stay at Cranbrook. This piece reads like it’s woven fabric but surprises in that it’s made of tiny tiles of painted linen. The irregular and fringed edges add to the illusion. I’m not sure how she got to Montana with this, but I’m on board for that venture.
To try and catalog the amount of talent that’s come out of Cranbrook Academy of Art since its inception is a monumental undertaking. The work displayed here is a solid representation of the span and diversity of genres, mediums and artists. It puts in perspective the profound impact this Academy has had not only on its immediate neighborhood, but the international art world as well.
On view June 18th - September 19th at Cranbrook Art Museum 39221 Woodward Ave, Bloomfield Hills
Passages are a direct quote from public statements
*all images are mine
SHOWS OPEN THIS WEEKEND