ARTS

Art show makes a point at former power plant

The Detroit News
“Diamond II,” a 24-foot, diamond-shaped light installation, is suspended over a waterfront site where the Conners Creek DTE plant used to stand on the Detroit River. The Edison Boat Club, a marina for DTE employees, remains in use. The artist-duo known as Hygienic Dress League has three large-scale works at the site, intended to explore the ideas of superficial value vs. real value, among others.
“Diamond II,” a 24-foot, diamond-shaped light installation, is suspended over a waterfront site where the Conners Creek DTE plant used to stand on the Detroit River. The Edison Boat Club, a marina for DTE employees, remains in use. The artist-duo known as Hygienic Dress League has three large-scale works at the site, intended to explore the ideas of superficial value vs. real value, among others.
Jon Deboer
"Spirit of the Forest" is another of the art installations on the vacant land, featuring human figures with deer heads that are cast in aluminum and highlighted with UV lights and UV paint.
"Spirit of the Forest" is another of the art installations on the vacant land, featuring human figures with deer heads that are cast in aluminum and highlighted with UV lights and UV paint.
Hygienic Dress League
"Limited Edition" is a life-size model elephant covered with more than 350,000 aurora borealis rhinestones, and weighs 600 pounds.
"Limited Edition" is a life-size model elephant covered with more than 350,000 aurora borealis rhinestones, and weighs 600 pounds.
Jon Deboer
Conceptual artists Steve and Dorota Coy, who operate under the moniker Hygienic Dress League, have titled the three installations "Value Proposition." The installation is open to the public 6-10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.
Conceptual artists Steve and Dorota Coy, who operate under the moniker Hygienic Dress League, have titled the three installations "Value Proposition." The installation is open to the public 6-10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.
Jon Deboer
The former Conners Creek DTE plant on the Detroit River on the city's east side, shares the site with the Edison Boat Club, a marina for DTE employees, which remains in use.
The former Conners Creek DTE plant on the Detroit River on the city's east side, shares the site with the Edison Boat Club, a marina for DTE employees, which remains in use.
Jon Deboer
The diamond-shaped light installation reflects into the waterfront site. “It’s about questions of value,” says artist Steve Coy. “We’re negotiating with the idea of superficial value, real value, what does it mean to be human and why are we attracted to the things we are.”
The diamond-shaped light installation reflects into the waterfront site. “It’s about questions of value,” says artist Steve Coy. “We’re negotiating with the idea of superficial value, real value, what does it mean to be human and why are we attracted to the things we are.”
Jon Deboer
Conceptual artists Dorota and Steve Coy relax in front of an old ship on the site, one of the largest riverside tracts eligible for redevelopment. The DTE plant was shut down when nuclear power plant Fermi 2 rendered the coal-powered facility obsolete.
Conceptual artists Dorota and Steve Coy relax in front of an old ship on the site, one of the largest riverside tracts eligible for redevelopment. The DTE plant was shut down when nuclear power plant Fermi 2 rendered the coal-powered facility obsolete.
Jon Deboer
Titled "Spirit of the Forest," the seven cast aluminum human-like figures with deer heads are individually illuminated by UV footlights. They are scattered throughout an overgrown field and appear to be emerging toward the viewer on a semi-circular footpath flanked by huge concrete planters.
Titled "Spirit of the Forest," the seven cast aluminum human-like figures with deer heads are individually illuminated by UV footlights. They are scattered throughout an overgrown field and appear to be emerging toward the viewer on a semi-circular footpath flanked by huge concrete planters.
Hygienic Dress League
The up-lighting on the red-painted figures creates a dramatic effect at night.
The up-lighting on the red-painted figures creates a dramatic effect at night.
The Detroit News
The life-sized carbon fiber and resin composite African elephant is tucked away in a darkened building on the east side of the property. For safety and liability reasons, viewers may only observe the “blinged out” pachyderm from behind a fence.
The life-sized carbon fiber and resin composite African elephant is tucked away in a darkened building on the east side of the property. For safety and liability reasons, viewers may only observe the “blinged out” pachyderm from behind a fence.
Jon Deboer
Looking at the elephant from a distance raises a number of questions, the artists say. “Are we trying to get in, or is it trying to get out?” they ask.
Looking at the elephant from a distance raises a number of questions, the artists say. “Are we trying to get in, or is it trying to get out?” they ask.
The Detroit News
“This isn’t just a diamond hanging here because we wanted to build a cool light installation,” Steve Coy says. “It’s a diamond in a boatyard in a coal factory. We crafted each one of these visual artifacts for this specific location.”
“This isn’t just a diamond hanging here because we wanted to build a cool light installation,” Steve Coy says. “It’s a diamond in a boatyard in a coal factory. We crafted each one of these visual artifacts for this specific location.”
Jon Deboer
Cassi Meitl, a program manager in public affairs for DTE Energy, said, “The installation of the art and temporary park were designed to help people imagine a different future for the decommissioned power plant.”
Cassi Meitl, a program manager in public affairs for DTE Energy, said, “The installation of the art and temporary park were designed to help people imagine a different future for the decommissioned power plant.”
The Detroit News