DETROIT – Inspired by nighttime arts festivals from around the world DLECTRICITY will host 35 local, national and international artists whose cutting edge works of art and installations will illuminate the historic architecture of Midtown on Oct. 5 and 6. Midtown Detroit, Inc. and Art Detroit Now announced the impressive selection of artists who will light up Midtown Detroit and transform the Woodward corridor into an illuminated urban spectacle for thousands of visitors of all ages during this free, two-night first-time event. A complete listing of DLECTRICITY artists and events may be found atwww.DLECTRICITY.com.
“Midtown Detroit’s amazing cultural and architectural assets have always been core to the continued growth and development of the neighborhood,” said Sue Mosey, president of Midtown Detroit, Inc. “Events like these not only remind people of those historic gems but capture everyone’s imagination for what’s possible in the future.”
The DLECTRICITY Curatorial Committee received more than 200 submissions from emerging and established artists, lighting designers, and architects through an open call for entry process. From that, the committee selected 25 projects and performances based on a number of criteria, including artistic merit and how well the project uses various media like light, video projection, interactivity, 3D video mapping, and other creative technologies, as well as how the projects exist within an urban environment. In addition, curatorial committee members invited 10 local and international artists specializing in light and technology projects to bring their expertise to Detroit’s first “Nuit Blanche” event.
“The number and quality of project submissions has been extraordinary,” said Marsha Miro, Founding Director of the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD) and head of the DLECTRICITY Curatorial Committee. “We can’t wait to see the city literally light up with the creative energy that continues to help shape Detroit.”
Other DLECTRICITY curatorial committee members included Larry Baranski of the DIA, George N’Namdi of N’Namdi Center for Contemporary Art, Michelle Perron of CCS and Marc Schwartz of Art Detroit Now.
Detroit is the latest city to become an international art destination and DLECTRICITY will feature works by local, national and international artists from locations as far flung as Japan, Iceland, and Berlin, as well as New York, Los Angeles and Seattle. Detroit’s own art community will be well represented, too, with over half of the projects created by local artists and designers.