Latest news with #7Mile+Livernois'
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
DIA to take its final, viral '7 Mile + Livernois' dance party outside this weekend
A simple dance party at the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) turned into Detroit's biggest event of the winter season. When word got out, a follow-up event in March drew record numbers. This weekend, one final bash is taking place – and it's so big that they're taking it outside. On Friday, May 9, another dance party will be held on the DIA museum grounds from 6:30-9:30 p.m. to commemorate the closing of Detroit artist Tiff Massey's historic '7 Mile + Livernois' exhibition. Detroit-based DJs KESSWA and Donavan Glover will provide sounds for the evening. '7 Mile + Livernois' is an installation featuring sculptures commissioned by the DIA and is a vibrant, inclusive peek into Detroit's artistic ecosystem. February's dance party, in association with Massey's show, drew over 1,700 attendees to the DIA in a massive flex of multigenerational, cross-cultural community support. 'It was honestly the most incredible crowd I've ever seen at an art museum anywhere,' Katie Pfohl, DIA Associate Curator of Contemporary Art, said ahead of the March event. 'The whole city turned out for the set. It was just … it was amazing. I moved here from New Orleans, and so I've worked with a lot of musicians as artists in my own curatorial past. Tiff is also so connected to the city's music scene, and as we were talking about programming for the show, it just seemed like such a natural fit, for an exhibition that is really about celebrating the city's culture of creative expression, to invite musicians from the city to activate the museum. 'It's an incredibly fun, powerful event, but there's also such an interesting throughline in the evolution of some of the city's musical forms. The histories of the automotive industry and factories, music production, and artists like Tiff working with metalsmithing, they feel to me like an intrinsic part of the show, not just a program that we're doing on the side. It's an intrinsic part of Tiff's vision for the project, and her aspiration to really showcase and celebrate the city's creative work.' 'It's one thing to put on an exhibition,' said Pfohl, 'and it's something else to really invite people in to have a conversation with it. People were there, dancing in Rivera Court, but they were also seeing the exhibition and talking with their friends about it and having an incredible time. For me, it's really feeling the art merge with the music to activate a whole vibe. I'm not trying to get all cheesy about it, but it was really special the last time, and I just can't wait to feel that energy in the museum again.' The energy was definitely felt again: More than 2,500 revelers showed up for the March party, with lines stretching out the museum's front doors, down the steps, across the lawn, and all the way out to the street as people waited in freezing rain and snow to get in on the action. Popular now: 12-year-old Oxford girl stuns in school shooting drama at Detroit Public Theatre DIA board vice chair Marsha Battle Philpot expressed awe and gratitude at the size and vibe of the crowd in March. "I was unprepared for the extraordinary outpouring of people that visited not just the exhibit," she said, "but came to the DIA, so many of them for the very first time. We have a generation or even two here in Detroit, in particular, that had not had the advantage of doing field trips to the DIA because of the budget issues in the school systems. For many, this was their first foray in here, and that was astonishing to see their wonderful reactions. "The crowd itself was overwhelming. It was shoulder to shoulder, and it was such a wonderful thing. I thought that Diego Rivera might be smiling down at us to see this many human beings congregated beneath his beautiful work in the courtyard. I think that was a real measure of how Tiff's work has impacted the museum, not just because of the work itself, but what she has brought to bear in engaging the community here with the DIA, which has been really extraordinary." DIA chief operating officer Elliott Broom said the museum is 'thrilled' with the exhibition and all the interest generated around it. 'The exhibition has surpassed 200,000 in attendance, which is quite a feat for our museum,' said Broom, 'and the feedback from the visitors has been overwhelmingly positive. To celebrate the close of the exhibition, we really wanted to do something special, and so – weather dependent – we're going to move the party outside onto the front plaza of the museum. That is something that we have only reserved in the past for Fash Bash. 'The idea is that the guests will be able to dance on the plaza, and we'll have, of course, bars set up if people want to drink, and some light snacks will be available for purchase. But the aim is to do this closing party in a very special way, outside, in open air, which also gives us a chance to welcome a few more visitors. We're guesstimating that we will hit that 2,500 mark, but I wouldn't be surprised if we crest 3,000.' Broom said that, in addition to the outdoor party, Kresge Court will be open with music and an extra bar to serve overflow or host guests seeking a break from dancing. The museum, he said, also has a rain plan that moves the party back indoors. 'It's been incredible to see momentum build around this show, right up through its finish on May 11,' Pfohl told the Free Press this week. 'Tiff's work has truly brought the city into the museum, creating a citywide celebration of Detroit and its story that will continue to shape the DIA long after this exhibition closes.' Admission to Friday's 6:30 p.m. party is free with museum general admission at the Detroit Institute of Arts, 5200 Woodward Ave. General museum admission is free for residents of Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties. Non-resident entry is $20 for adults, $10 for seniors and college students, and $8 for children ages 6 – 17. At press time, advanced registration for the event was at capacity. For more information, visit Contact Free Press arts and culture reporter Duante Beddingfield at dbeddingfield@ This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Last DIA dance party to be held outdoors this weekend
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer visits Detroit Institute of Arts to view Tiff Massey exhibition
A Detroit artist received official state recognition Thursday when Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer visited the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) to tour Tiff Massey's '7 Mile + Livernois' exhibition. 'I've heard so many wonderful things about Tiff's work,' Whitmer said, 'and I just wanted to come and see it for myself. And I feel really lucky that I got to actually spend time with the artist. That's a unique thing, no? To have one of Detroit's own showing at the DIA. And I know it's really inspired a lot of people in the city, but certainly to have the opportunity to actually talk to the artist and understand and ask questions. It's really unique, and I feel really lucky to be here.' Massey called the experience 'an honor.' 'That you came and took the time out of governing all the people of Michigan, and no telling what else you're doing, to come and see what I've been working on. I'm honored. I'm honored for you to be here to see it.' Whitmer spoke glowingly of her affection for the DIA. 'You know, as someone who loves and appreciates the arts but doesn't have an artistic bone in her body,' she said, 'I love coming to DIA. It's a special place, and to get to spend time with this incredible artist — it's humbling. I have a great deal of respect for the work that she does. She's incredibly talented, recognized around the world, and we're really lucky that she's right here with us.' The pair spent about half an hour wandering the exhibit together and whispering together like old friends about the works on the walls and floors. 'We were mostly just talking about the ins and outs of the work,' said Massey. 'Things that are printed on the wall, (but also) things that a lot of people can't read about. There's a lot of press and things surrounding the exhibition, so I just wanted to talk about some of the other details, and just my personal experience of being aske to represent Detroit, and a lot of other representations: Black women, queer women, boss women, Detroit, 7 Mile. It's just a great opportunity.' DIA director Salvador Salort-Pons, traveling internationally on museum business, was unable to attend the event, but sent DIA board vice chair Marsha Battle Philpot as a proxy to represent the museum. 'We are beyond honored that the governor has come here in order to look at the relationship of this work,' said Philpot, 'not only to Detroit, but to the entire state of Michigan, and how inspiring this is to others in the arts throughout the state, and for those who wish to enjoy the arts, even if they are not artists.' In an official statement, Salort-Pons wrote, 'We thank Tiff for entrusting the DIA with this exhibition, and for the extraordinary dedication and creativity she brought to her work on this transformational show.' Katie Pfohl, DIA Associate Curator of Contemporary Art, commemorated the occasion with words of admiration for the governor's interest. 'It was such an honor to host the governor at the DIA,' Pfohl said, 'and to see such an incredible force in local and national politics so visibly support the arts at a time when they're under threat. Her embrace of the show and Tiff's message was an extraordinary affirmation of the arts' importance to this city.' The city of Detroit, and the art world writ large, are eagerly awaiting to learn what's next for Massey after such an explosive and prominent exhibition. 'The sky is the limit,' she said. 'There's no cap on that. I'm working on some permanent … situations outside that people can experience for a lifetime. I'm really into, as you can see, space and interactive works and things like that. I do have a philanthropic arm. It is really, high-key, about the community and the future of artists in Detroit and Michigan – where can we get access to actually seeing works like these on a regular basis, or access to studios that can actually jumpstart careers in multiple areas? 'I just don't understand why people say we don't have room for the arts when everything that we're looking at is designed by someone. We just need to tap more into that. So I'm definitely going to use my time on this earth to try to, you know, make it pop.' Gov. Whitmer expressed fondness for the piece Massey was commissioned by the museum to create as a response to late artist Donald Judd's 'Stack.' Last year, Massey told the Free Press that 'Stack' was 'a piece that I remember when I was a kid, it was installed on the contemporary walls. I wanted to climb it. So I was like, 'Let's go, I'm going to make my own 'Stack.'' Of Massey's response piece, Whitmer said the story touched her heart. 'It reminds me of growing up,' she said. 'It reminds me of my best friend, Ursula. It's powerful to see it next to a piece that actually inspired Tiff as a young person when her mom brought her here.' Whitmer said the exhibition is just one representation of Michigan's strong arts workforce. 'We want to deliver a Michigan that appeals to all people,' she said, 'and where every person can find a path to be successful in this state. The arts (are) an important part of that. It is about quality of life. It is about a well-rounded education. It is about a statement of who we are, and it's about learning and education. I'm hopeful that we can continue to expand on what we have been able to do in Michigan. It is not just an extracurricular — it's a fundamental part of robust education and a robust life.' Tiff Massey's '7 Mile + Livernois' is on display through May 11, 2025. For more information, visit Contact Free Press arts and culture reporter Duante Beddingfield at dbeddingfield@ This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Gov. Whitmer visits DIA to see Tiff Massey's '7 Mile + Livernois' show
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
DIA's massive dance party last month was like no other. Now it's happening again.
A simple dance party at the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) turned into Detroit's biggest event of the winter season — and if you missed it, there's another happening this weekend. Friday, March 7, another dance party will be held in the museum's Rivera Court from 6:30-8:30 p.m., in conjunction with Detroit artist Tiff Massey's historic '7 Mile + Livernois' exhibition. '7 Mile + Livernois' is an installation featuring sculptures commissioned by the DIA, and is a vibrant, inclusive peek into Detroit's artistic ecosystem. February's dance party event in association with Massey's show drew over 1,700 attendees to the DIA in a massive flex of multigenerational, cross-cultural community support. 'It was honestly the most incredible crowd I've ever seen at an art museum anywhere,' said Katie Pfohl, DIA Associate Curator of Contemporary Art. 'The whole city turned out for the set. It was just … it was amazing. I moved here from New Orleans, and so I've worked with a lot of musicians as artists in my own curatorial past. Tiff is also so connected to the city's music scene, and as we were talking about programming for the show, it just seemed like such a natural fit, for an exhibition that is really about celebrating the city's culture of creative expression, to invite musicians from the city to activate the museum. 'It's an incredibly fun, powerful event, but there's also such an interesting throughline in the evolution of some of the city's musical forms. The histories of the automotive industry and factories, music production, and artists like Tiff working with metalsmithing, they feel to me like an intrinsic part of the show, not just a program that we're doing on the side. It's an intrinsic part of Tiff's vision for the project, and her aspiration to really showcase and celebrate the city's creative work.' Also this weekend: 'Young and the Restless' star Victoria Rowell heads to Detroit in 'Jason's Lyric: Live' Also this weekend: Detroit Public Theatre's 'Confederates' examines struggles of Black women in America The spectacularly named DJ Problematic Black Hottie will serve up tunes during the March 7 event, and during a May 9 dance party celebrating the exhibition's closing, DJ Kesswa, a favorite of Pfohl's, will preside. 'I think that it's one thing to put on an exhibition,' said Pfohl, 'and it's something else to really invite people in to have a conversation with it. People were there, dancing in Rivera Court, but they were also seeing the exhibition and talking with their friends about it and having an incredible time. For me, it's really feeling the art merge with the music to activate a whole vibe. I'm not trying to get all cheesy about it, but it was really special the last time, and I just can't wait to feel that energy in the museum again.' Pfohl's advice for people who didn't make it last time? 'Come early,' she said. 'Bring your friends. It ends at 8:30 p.m., but the museum will remain open till nine o'clock. We want to make sure there's enough time for people to experience everything.' Admission to Friday's 6:30 p.m. party is free with museum general admission at the Detroit Institute of Arts, 5200 Woodward Ave. General museum admission is free for residents of Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties. Non-resident entry is $20 for adults, $10 for seniors and college students, and $8 for children ages 6 – 17. Contact Free Press arts and culture reporter Duante Beddingfield at dbeddingfield@ This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: DIA to hold another dance party in Rivera Court on March 7
