A step back in time

Title: In Honor of W. Hawkins FerryArtist: Tom Phardel / Pewabic Pottery

Station: Times Square Station

http://bit.ly/x4CvVO 

"Detroit's Pewabic Pottery is one of only two active turn-of -the-century pottery studios in the country. Its work, known for deep, richly-colored glazes, can be found in classic structures in Detroit and across the nation. Tom Phardel's design recalls the art deco style, using glazes reminiscent of Mary Chase Stratton's Pewabic work during the hey-day of America's Arts and Crafts Movement." (http://bit.ly/w2Gq52)

http://bit.ly/AxO2om

Now that we all know something about the next stop on our tour, lets talk about why I like it so much. I know in my last post that I said I only like art thats different. This art is much more than just some tiles on the wall it has a history with me and the city of Detroit. The tile for the Times Square stop was made at Detroit's Pewabic Pottery. This is what makes it special to me I have toured Pewabic many times and made some tile there. 

Before I get into that, lets get some history on Pewabic Pottery. It's a small shop just outside of the city of Detroit. This is a great place to take the kids on a rainy day or even take a date, you can tour the shop and then make some pottery. They have all kinds of different pottery on display from mosaic work to different kinds of hand made characters. 


Here is some history from Pewabic's site,"Pewabic Pottery was founded in 1903 by Mary Chase Perry (later Mary Chase Perry Stratton) and her partner, Horace Caulkins (developer of the Revelation Kiln), at the height of the Arts & Crafts movement in America. Pewabic's first home was a stable on Alfred Street in Detroit. Four years later, Pewabic Pottery moved to a new facility on East Jefferson designed by architect William Buck Stratton in the Tudor Revival style. In 1991, the building (which still houses the Pottery) and its contents were designated a National Historic Landmark and today is Michigan's only historic pottery." (http://bit.ly/x2e4wG)

http://bit.ly/yI3oGy

They have tile work all over the city and most people have never even heard of them. One building that I love to go and see when in the city is the Guardian Building. This building was made to be a bank and is now used for many different reasons mostly offices. You can take a tour of the Guardian Building, as soon as you walk in look up. This building has an amazing ceiling and you will probably fall in love just like I did. However, this blog isn't about the Pewabic pottery all over the city or the Guardian Building  even though I could write a blog about each of these topics. This blog is about the Detroit People Mover and all of the great art it offers to its riders. 

The Pewabic Pottery stop on the The Detroit People Mover as you can tell is special to me because I know about the history. When I see the art at this stop I remember all of the times I made something at Pewabic Pottery, or toured the shop. I like the people mover because each stop has a little piece of history with the city, they all have a story to tell. 

Have you been to Pewabic Pottery?

Whats your favorite Pewabic art in the city?

One man many names...

http://bit.ly/yc2t4j 

Title: Catching UpArtist: J. Seward Johnson, Jr.Station: Grand Circus Park Station

I decided to start a blog about something that I feel gets a lot of bad publicity, not only in the city, but here in the suburbs as well. Now, don't get me wrong I have been one to say bad things about it as well. I have heard it all from “it's a waste of money” to “its pointless because it doesn't go far.” Regardless of how you feel, I see it as a monument in the city of Detroit.

It has been a moving billboard for over two decades. “The 2.9 Mile track takes about 14 minutes to go around the loop and has 13 passenger stations” (http://bit.ly/AzNMXx).

All 13 stations have unique and personalized pieces of art, this is what attracted me to The People Mover. I love unique art and Detroit is home to some of the best. The Heidelberg Project is one that I find amazing. Check it out if your in the city with some time in the summer (http://bit.ly/ArSteF).

I found that of the fifteen artists that have art work along the people mover track, nine of them are from the state of Michigan. Over the next couple of weeks I want to look at each station and talk about what I think about each. I personally believe that if you have seen the artwork and knew the background you would also love the People Mover as much as I do.

One station that I enjoy is the Grand Circus Park. This station has a life-size man in bronze reading his newspaper. This was personalized with the Detroit Free Press and the Detroit News in the statue. I am not the only one that likes it because the people of Detroit voted it the “‘most popular’ by the people of metropolitan Detroit” (http://bit.ly/y1Cchn).

I would say this Bronze statue stands out the most to me because of its simplicity, it catches the eye of everyone that passes by it. I like the idea that he has been reading the same paper for over 20 years. I know he isn't really reading it, just maybe skimming it, or browsing it. Now, on to some background information. It was made using a “lost wax process” where they poured the hot bronze over a form and melted the formed wax away.

This is not an original to Detroit. There are six of the same statue around the world (http://bit.ly/y1Cchn). However, the personalization is original. All of the different cities that received the statue have there local papers in his hands and on his briefcase. It’s still not your typical painting on the wall or tile artwork, and thats why I like it the most.

I make sure that when I am in Detroit ridding the People Mover I stop by and say hello to Samuel (now, thats my personal name for him) you can name him yourself and thats part of the beauty of art we all see it differently. I am sure he has many names and everyone sees and loves him differently. Just like a real person, we see and feel differently about each other, and some of us even have many names and titles. Stop by and say hello next time your on the People Mover at Grand Circus Park.

What are your first impressions of the People Mover?

What station do you remember the most, and why?