Good Wood
What: A display and auction of skateboard cruiser decks painted by more than 80 artists.
Where: 10229 Joseph Campau St., Hamtramck; goodwoodexhibit.com.
When: From 7 p.m. to midnight Saturday, May 26.
One hundred cruiser decks hand-embellished by more than 80 artists will adorn the walls during Good Wood. The exhibit and auction is being held to benefit the Ride It Sculpture Park in Detroit, a space that would be a hybrid of a sculpture garden and a skate park where skateboarders could officially ride the art. The space, spearheaded by Powerhouse Productions joined by a team of artists and skateboard industry pros both local and national, would make use of four vacant commercial lots as well as a vacant home that would be part indoor mini-park and part living space for visiting artists and skateboarders. All proceeds from Good Wood will benefit the park, with the starting bid set at $50 to match the standard retail price of most skate decks. Local and international artists, as well as a few skateboard pros, put their personal stamp on the boards, including Ed Templeton, Swoon, Neil Blender, Don Pendleton, Graem Whyte, Scott Hocking, Mitch Cope and more. The result is 100 stylistically diverse, one-of-a-kind decks that can be either functional objects or prized pieces of art. Online bidding is up and running, and continues through 11 p.m. the night of the exhibit, which will also feature raffles, refreshments, music and extras pieces to bid on.
CAMP Detroit
What: Six art installations created by Detroit artists in conjunction with Movement Electronic Music Festival and the Detroit Creative Corridor Center.
Where: Displayed during the festival at Hart Plaza; info at campdetroit.tumblr.com.
When: Saturday-Monday, May 26-28.
This annual project challenges local artists and makers the opportunity to create installations that will be prominently displayed to the hordes attending Movement. Six teams of artists were chosen from the large pool of applicants and provided with $1,500, studio space, consultation and artwork transportation. The teams were challenged to create pieces that would reflect the spirit of the city, as well as engage festival-goers in innovative ways. Projects range from large-scales sculptures to interactive, technology-based pieces, including an arcade experience station where attendees can play a custom machine pre-loaded with nearly every arcade game ever made; a new form of public seating based on the model of a hammock that provides seating for multiple people; and a habitable canopy structure constructed from plastic containers that is both visually striking and functional, by providing a refuge from the sun and a space to interact with others. After the fest, pieces will either be dismantled, permanently installed somewhere in the city or stored for use at other fests, happenings and gatherings in the city.
