Contents:
Art historian and critic, teacher at the School of Design at the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration. Deputy publisher of the magazine about contemporary art Russian Art Focus. Author of the book "Design Today", which examines current trends in contemporary design, its influence on society and culture. Specializes in the analysis of artistic movements and their significance in the contemporary context.
In 2013, Detroit, a symbol of industrial America, declared bankruptcy, becoming the largest municipal bankruptcy in US history. This move was the result of years of economic decline. At the time, the city attracted the attention of photographers from around the world with its unique atmosphere, where dilapidated buildings stood side by side with abandoned historic theaters that had once hosted large-scale events. Detroit became a kind of living tableau, reflecting both the greatness and decline of American industry.
Today, Detroit represents an interesting example for urbanists, specialists in social design, public transportation, fundraising, developers, as well as for architects, designers, and artisans. The history of this city demonstrates how an area that has experienced degradation can return to life and begin the process of restoration. Studying the Detroit experience allows us to understand the mechanisms and strategies that contribute to revitalization, as well as the importance of community participation in these transformations.
What the city looks like now
Maria Koshenkova is an artist and a graduate of the St. Petersburg Stieglitz State Academy of Art and Industry. Since 2010, she has lived in Copenhagen, and from February 15, 2022, she will be participating in a six-week residency in Detroit. In her interviews, Maria shares her impressions of the city, its culture and atmosphere. She describes the diversity of architectural styles, unique atmosphere and creative life that characterize Detroit. This city, known for its history and music scene, inspires her to new artistic experiments and projects.
Detroit plays a key role in US logistics, being a significant port city. However, its appearance still bears witness to the scale of the destruction it experienced in the past. Ten years ago, the city could be seen with office buildings and schools filled with furniture and left as if time had stood still. This abandonment is a reminder of its former grandeur and underscores the need to restore infrastructure and attract new investment for the city's revival.
The process of transformation of the city continues, and in 5-10 years a developed average American city will have formed here. In various neighborhoods you can already see many old mansions that have not yet undergone restoration, but already have new owners. These buildings remain empty or boarded up, but it is clear that there is interest in them. Many houses were demolished, as abandoned buildings in the city quickly became hotbeds of crime. Furthermore, it's worth noting that Detroit is the birthplace of musical genres such as techno and hip-hop; the club scene is thriving, making the city attractive to young people and creative types.
Housing is expensive in this area. Studio-workshop rent ranges from $200 to $600 per month, with the average price being around $300. One well-known property is the Russell Industrial Center Building, which includes workshops. However, it's worth considering that this complex may have cement walls, broken windows, and possible heating issues. Local residents note that infrastructure development is uneven, which may affect renters' choice.
For runners, Detroit is an inhospitable environment: the embankments are mostly concrete, and there is virtually no greenery. The city is oriented toward automobile travel, making it challenging for pedestrians and cyclists. Cyclists face danger on pothole-ridden roads. Getting around the city without a car is extremely difficult due to the sparse infrastructure: sometimes it takes 15 minutes to get to the nearest coffee shop. Public transportation in Detroit leaves much to be desired. For example, I once rode a bus along the main street, Woodward Avenue, and noticed that buses ran only every 25 minutes. Passengers tend to be people who can't even afford an old car or who are unable to drive due to health reasons.
The decay in this city has its own unique nature. It's not just a swamp or slow degradation. Residents are full of energy and feel resentment. They are determined to protect their city and strive for its restoration. Locals reject the notion that Detroit is associated with the aesthetics of decay and degradation. The admiration for abandoned buildings, often found in art photography, is called ruin porn here, and it evokes negative emotions. They want to show that the city is capable of more and has the potential for revival.
I attended a post-death sale and purchased several interesting items, including a chair from the 1930s and various household items filled with vital energy. These findings have become part of my work, in which I strive to convey the unique combination of technology and human energy. Many Detroiters are real balls of nerves, and it is thanks to them that the city feels like a place of strength. At the Detroit Institute of Arts, you can see Diego Rivera's famous murals, created during the Great Depression. His murals are dedicated to the industrial city, where powerful workers toil in Ford factories, producing cars. There's something of these superhumans in modern Detroiters that makes their way of life and work incredibly meaningful.
An art historian and critic who teaches at the RANEPA School of Design. He is the deputy publisher of Russian Art Focus, a magazine about contemporary art. He is the author of Design Today, which examines current trends and innovations in the field of design.
Destroyed Doesn't Mean Destroyed
Property in Detroit is a hot topic, especially considering that approximately a third of the city's population lives below the poverty line. However, Detroit has been showing positive changes in recent years. The city is not only recovering, but also actively developing its economy thanks to initiatives of local residents. These efforts contribute to a better quality of life and a stronger community, which, in turn, impacts the real estate market and property in general.
The revitalization of abandoned spaces is happening on two fronts. On the one hand, enterprising entrepreneurs are finding affordable real estate opportunities, carrying out high-quality renovations, and offering transformed properties to the market. On the other hand, Detroit is attracting the interest of internationally renowned architectural firms. Greg Lynn's extraordinary presentation at the 2016 Venice Architecture Biennale played a key role in this process, drawing attention to the city's architectural potential and inspiring new projects.
Lynn announced the beginning of a "new era of mixed reality." As part of his presentation, he demonstrated the capabilities of Microsoft HoloLens, proposing a concept for reimagining and renovating the Packard plant, an abandoned automobile manufacturing facility. Lynn's idea allowed the architects to instantly perceive scale, form, and space, significantly simplifying the visualization of ideas and accelerating the decision-making process. The use of mixed reality technologies opens new horizons in architecture, enabling the creation of more effective and innovative solutions for the rehabilitation and development of abandoned sites.
Visitors to the US pavilion aspired to instantly transform problematic urban areas, renew transportation hubs, industrial parks, factories, and universities. They dreamed of transforming the Packard plant into a robotic manufacturing facility, introducing autonomous vehicles, and developing online commerce. The presentation was so impressive that Detroit, with its current urban challenges, quickly became the focus of research, observation, and design.
Who's Working on the City's Image Now?Besides Detroit, other important design hubs in the United States include New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. However, Detroit stands out as the most attractive location for startups and small businesses in the design field. Design in this city is characterized by high mobility and a creative approach. Furthermore, Detroit is of interest to expatriate designers, which contributes to its development. To support the design community, city officials organized the annual Design Month. This event currently includes more than 65 virtual and outdoor events coordinated by Design Core Detroit and attended by over 175 participants.
Detroit Design 139 is a significant initiative uniting design advocates such as Bedrock, the City of Detroit, and Design Core. Created in 2017, it aims to set high standards for new projects in the city. Detroit Design 139's flagship event is a biennial exhibition showcasing projects that shape Detroit's vision for the future. This exhibition draws attention to innovation and inspires the development of urban space, highlighting the importance of design in transforming the urban environment.
Large companies are also actively involved in the design of modern buildings. For example, the Dutch firm MVRDV created an office and retail building with a unique façade adorned with a glass mural that draws attention just as much as a similar work on a market in Rotterdam. In this project, the mural was created by local artists DENIAL and Sheefy McFly, highlighting the importance of local culture and art in architecture.
The architectural bureau ODA New York is carrying out the reconstruction of the Book Tower skyscraper. David Adjaye, renowned architectural designer and Barack Obama's favorite architect, is collaborating with Brooklyn landscape firm Michael Van Valkenburgh to transform the West Bank park. The project aims to create a green space that will combine elements of wild nature, improving the ecosystem and providing a comfortable space for recreation and leisure for residents.
Norwegian Snohetta has begun two significant projects. The first concerns the repurposing of Michigan Central Station into a modern Ford research center. The project involves a major renovation of the historic building, which had been in disrepair for the past 30 years, as well as the construction of new facilities. The renovated Michigan Central Station will become the new home of Ford and its partner offices and will also create comfortable public spaces. The ground floor of the station will include a restaurant and retail space, while the upper floors will be dedicated to residential space. This project will not only preserve the building's historical value but also revitalize the streetscape, introducing modern features and amenities for residents and visitors.
Snohetta's design for the curved glass Central Campus Building for Ford is a logical extension of the company's existing research and engineering center. This building not only adds a new visual accent to the site but also meets modern environmental and sustainable construction requirements. The use of curved glass not only achieves a unique aesthetic effect but also improves energy efficiency, a crucial aspect in contemporary architectural design. The Central Campus Building will be a key step in the development of Ford's infrastructure, fostering innovation and collaboration in research and technology. Detroit designers, even those who have achieved success in the high-end gallery market, retain a unique local spirit in their work. A prime example is Chris Shank, whose work is represented in renowned American galleries, including New York's Friedman Benda. Shank masterfully combines individual and collaborative approaches, as well as industrial and artisan styles. His functional objects appear as works of art created from reclaimed materials. He transforms inexpensive materials and construction waste into luxury items. In his famous Alufoil series, pieces of rebar, concrete, and other scraps are wrapped in foil and encased in resin, creating a distinctive Detroit style.
Also check out:
- Maria Savostyanova's interview on the future of design, women's collectives, and NFTs
- Maria Savostyanova's column on significant works of 2021
- Original and derivative. An excerpt from the book "Design Today"