MICHIGAN TALES : sculptures

Photo by J. Moyer July 2019

When traveling east or west on Michigan's northern region of the upper peninsula on M-28, through Chocolay Township in Marquette County, be careful not to blink as you might miss a fun and entertaining little spot - Lakenenland Sculpture Park.

Tom Lakenen, the inspiring welding artist, encourages people to walk, bike, drive, and even snowmobile (Snowmobile trail #417) anytime, any day around his 37 acres of his mastermind sculpture oddities. He has very creative uses with the scrap metal he uses in his unique creations. He gives honor to the military, recognition to historical events, and even pokes a little fun at the government with his sculptures. There are majestic pieces of artwork as well as pieces that make you laugh. As a person snakes their way through the well used trail in a pine forest, they become mesmerized by Tom Lakenen's special talent for taking scrap metal and turning it into something interesting to gaze upon.

Creating this permanent exhibit did not go without struggle from the local government. As Tom's talent grew it caught the attention to the politicians and they were displeased about how he was placing his artwork. They went around and around with each other. In 2003, Tom bought the land the sculpture park now sits on so it will be easier availability to the public. The local government still raised eyebrows and pushed against Tom's idea. Tom eventually was able to have his sculpture park with the delight from the tourists who wish to come by and see it. The area is so thankful for the hard work Tom has done and how his sculpture park is bringing visitors to the area that in 2011 he was honored with Township Citizen of the Year award.

Tom asks nothing more of his guests except happy faces when they leave. There is a donation box but the focus is that the tourist has a nice time as they see the variety of artwork on display. This is a totally free roadside attraction for all to enjoy. And that is how Tom would like it to be. He wants his "junkyard art" to be enjoyed by many.

Photo by J. Moyer July 2019
2800 M-28 East
Marquette, Mi. 49855

Photo by J. Moyer July 2019

Photo by J. Moyer July 2019
It is my understanding that this piece of artwork was one of his first few sculptures.

Photo by J. Moyer July 2019

Sources:

https://www.freep.com/story/news/columnists/john-carlisle/2015/03/02/north-sculpture-park-born-controversy/24235675/

https://www.mlive.com/travel/2017/10/lakenenland_marquette_michigan.html

https://www.wnmufm.org/post/northern-michigan-voices-tom-lakenen-i#stream/0

http://lakenenland.com/

Detroit has been known for their vast diversity and culture. Art is one form of expressing that diversity and culture. One trip to the Detroit area, in early October 2018, I came across three different areas of work from local artists. Their artwork focuses on the means of repurposing the old and bringing life back into the objects around them. These artists look at something and see a better purpose with it. These artists want to enrich their community and for the community to take an interest in the variety of artwork displayed.

For this blog post majority of it will be images I took while touring the art displays. I will comment on some of the pictures, but others I will leave it up to your interpretations.

Detroit Industrial Gallery
artist: Tim Burke

Artist Tim Burke will use materials he will recover from old, torn down buildings around Detroit to make abstract and surreal art. One of Tim Burke's quotes is, "History gets buried in a landfill" and he removes pieces of history and refurbishes it into a piece of his art. The pieces he recreates, mostly, has an historical meaning behind it. There is more to the art then when the person sees.

He has done numerous exhibits, community work, special projects and being featured in books, radio and the media.

The following pictures were taken from his previous residence Heidelberg Street, known for the Heidelberg Project by artist Tyree Guyton (which will be shown further down the blog). He had lived there for over 18 years adding his artwork to the community. At the time I was there, I was unaware that there were two different artist on the street doing two separate projects. Tim Burke already had his house sold and was in the process of moving.

October 14, 2018
Photo by Jill Moyer

On Tim Burke's Detroit Industrial Gallery Facebook page he mentions the brick wall in the background. It was from the Hudson's Department Store found among the ruble after the implosion. Some of the other pieces where from the Riviera Theatre also in Detroit.

I like how he created a devilish looking like creature with a rib cage feature with something representing a heart within in.

October 14, 2018
Photo by Jill Moyer

The arch the one cat is in is actually a church window
from the First English Evangelical Church.
Mr. Burke was able to salvage the window and turn it into the frame
of his cat.
October 14, 2018
Photo by Jill Moyer

In one article Burke mentions how he used to trade materials with
Tyree Guyton, artist of the Heidelberg Project. The green stamp dress was from
one of the trades Burke made with Guyton. Behind the robot you can read the words
"This is Not The Heidelberg Project" to help separate his art from the Heidelberg Project.
October 14, 2018
Photo by Jill Moyer

Tim Burke's artwork can still be seen at Fort St. and Grand River outside the Chrylser House. There is also the Lafayette Gardens behind the Lafayette Coney Island.

Heidelberg Project
artist Tyree Guyton

Tyree Guyton, an urban environmental artist, is the creator of the Heidelberg Project, named after the street he used to live. He was upset by the drugs and gangs in the area. While talking with his grandfather Guyton's grandfather responded by saying, "pick up a paintbrush instead of a weapon and and look for a solution" and in 1986 Guyton did just that. He used materials he found around the homes and started to turn it into artwork. He used the streets and sidewalks and turned the street into something the community can walk around and enjoy.

I became aware of his artwork looking through my copy of Weird Michigan and it showed a house covered in stuffed animals. I remember thinking only in Detroit can people get away with doing something like that. Several years later we were driving around Detroit and the style of houses reminded me of the stuffed animal house. I did a quick google search and lo and behold it was a few blocks from our location. Sadly, in 2014, the stuffed animal house became a victim of arson, as well as several other houses. But that didn't stop Guyton from doing what he loved. His artwork extends over a two block area.

October 14, 2018
Photo by Jill Moyer

There is a trail of shoes, one of Guyton's work
October 14, 2018
Photo by Jill Moyer

October 14, 2018
Photo by Jill Moyer

Clocks are another theme Guyton uses. He wants the viewer to
question time and reality.
October 14, 2018
Photo by Jill Moyer

October 14, 2018
Photo by Jill Moyer

These toys were found on the foundation of a burned down home.
Toys from the past as well as current fads are visible.
October 14, 2018
Photo by Jill Moyer

October 14, 2018
Photo by Jill Moyer

The toys are arranged into towers.
October 14, 2018
Photo by Jill Moyer

An old pay phone with old retired electronics on top.
Open House sign behind it setting on top of the burned house.
October 14, 2018
Photo by Jill Moyer

My grandpa used to have a statue like this.
Looking at the items he had brought back some memories.
October 14, 2018
Photo by Jill Moyer

You can almost make out the burned out beams of the house
under the toys. A symbol of once was.
October 14, 2018
Photo by Jill Moyer

I liked seeing the plant growth in the items. To me it
symbolizes new growth out of something old.
Fresh things can start again.
October 14, 2018
Photo by Jill Moyer

Dolls and a shopping cart. It demonstrates vanity.
October 14, 2018
Photo by Jill Moyer

This doll, once loved, is not an empty shell.
Kind of like the neighborhood, that was once loved,
is now just an empty shell. Soulless.
October 14, 2018
Photo by Jill Moyer

Broken doors leading down to the basement
of the burned out house
October 14, 2018
Photo by Jill Moyer

A distance back from the doors mentions previously.
October 14, 2018
Photo by Jill Moyer

Looking through into the basement. Notice the clock and burned beam.
October 14, 2018
Photo by Jill Moyer

October 14, 2018
Photo by Jill Moyer

Take the time to call that person you are thinking about.
October 14, 2018
Photo by Jill Moyer

This reminded me of the book 1984.
October 14, 2018
Photo by Jill Moyer

October 14, 2018
Photo by Jill Moyer

MBAD African Bead Museum

artist Olayami Dabls

The African Bean Museum was created as a way to expressing the feelings of having to deal with the Civil Rights Movement. He was born in Mississippi during a time that was hard on African Americans and moved north with his family. He was one of the first curator's of African American History Museum in the state. The Museum opened in 1985 and grew from there. You can find his artwork 6559 Grand River ave in Detroit.