For my last post I would like to talk about Greektown station. This is a high traffic area due to the casino and all the great food down Monroe Street. The title is “Neon for the Greektown Station” and is the work of Stephen Antomakos. Here is the description from The People Movers site, “A stunning, colorful series of neon designs adds a sense of excitement and festivity to Detroit's most active nighttime entertainment district. Free-form neon tubing stretches across the sides and windows of the station, then arches across the guideway, with sculptural raceways adding a feeling of motion to this innovative art form.”
I would say I saved the best for last, and I feel most would agree with me. Yea all of the art along The People Mover track is great to look at and talk about. Its just something about the glow of neon lights over a busy city that makes me stop and see the city from a whole new light. The city of Detroit has had its ups and downs that is cretin, but Greektown casino was one of the first casinos in the city. This casino has become iconic to the city as The People Mover itself. This around the Greektown station has become “the” downtown area of Detroit.
Most people done event recognize the neon lights because of the casino, they think its part of the casinos bright lights to lure you in and gamble. This is not the case it was not done to lure guest into the casino, it was done to be seen by people during the busy city nights. I would say that this is my favorite station because it goes unnoticed for the most part. People don't stop to enjoy how the neon lights up the street and brings color to what would be a dark intersection. Detroit should consider spreading out its art to reach all areas of the city to bring beauty where there was once despair, mush like these neons have brought Monroe Street.
Here is a picture of the Fredmont Light show in Las Vegas, if you haven't seen this, do yourself a favor and go it this summer. Las Vegas is a great town full of neon lights and shows the true art that is neon. I am a city kid at heart and this is the reason I saved Greektown for last, I feel this is the heart of Detroit.
Thanks to Google Images for all of my great photos.
