The South End

Issue date: 9/26/07 Section: A&E

Media Credit: Courtesy of Lee and Sam Mobley Heidelberg founding artist Tyree Guyton's "The Oval Office." Wayne State's Elaine L. Jacob Gallery will host an opening reception on Friday for the exhibit, "Street Sense: Celebrating 20 years of the Heidelberg Project."

Detroit's Tyree Guyton, internationally renowned founder of the Heidelberg Project, will unveil his newest sculpture, "Invisible Doors," for Wayne State. The event will coincide with the Elaine L. Jacob Gallery's hosting of "Street Sense: Celebrating 20 Years of The Heidelberg Project" and a national symposium. The sculpture, which will be dedicated on Sept. 28 at 4 p.m. outside the Welcome Center, is made of four colorful welded steel doors reaching 15 feet high and will be a permanent fixture on the grounds.
"The concept of the sculpture is about the doors of life that lead us to success or failure," Guyton said. "What would life be without doors?"
Along with WSU and Detroit Public Schools students, Guyton was able to create this sculpture which carries on the theme of improving the community and educating students through art.
"This is an exciting addition to the cultural and artistic beauty of our campus," Wayne State spokeswoman Francine Wunder said. "It provides a visual example of the inexplicable link between WSU and the city of Detroit, as we share a common history."
This is the first exhibit to document and celebrate the 20-year history of the influential and motivational Heidelberg project. It will focus on the history of the project featuring photographs of works, works of art and sculptures.
The Heidelberg Project, whose prime tools for operation are recycled objects and countless colors of vibrant paint, was named after its location on the once drug-ridden area of Heidelberg Street. The project has had its hardships, in 1991 and again in 1999, when parts were demolished by the city of Detroit. The project prevailed, however, solidifying its positive influence on the community and its people.
Lisa Baylis Gonzalez, director of WSU's Elaine L. Jacob Gallery and Community Arts Gallery, called Guyton's work inspiring.
"Throughout its 20-year history, the Heidelberg Project has remained an object of provocation of thought and action, not only for the Detroit area, but for urban centers around the world….. artist Tyree Guyton continues to share his vision of the transformative power of art," she said.
Inspired to change his own neighborhood through art, Guyton started the Heidelberg Project in 1986.
"Tyree had his own mental doors blocking him from moving from place to place," said Jeneene Witfield, executive director of the Heidelberg Project and spokesperson for Guyton.
Initially designed to help resuscitate and inspire the Detroit community by means of art, the project transformed throughout the 20 years of its presence, taking its power and reaching out to communities around the world.
Guyton's various exhibits and collections can be found around the world in places like New York, California, Japan, Brazil, France and Italy.
The opening reception is scheduled for this Friday at 5 p.m. while the public symposium is Saturday at 2 p.m. The "Street Sense" exhibit will be featured from Sept. 28 through Dec. 14.

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