The Guardian Building - Research Paper Example

Topic: Lecturer: Presentation: Introduction As described by Graham ‘art is a consistent change in life, nature and life’s phenomena and which cannot be explained by few human terms’(2). In addition, Beal says that ‘art is a mode of expression with no valid explanation in words but in creation itself’ (1). The metropolitan area of Detroit, Michigan is a hub of various artistic ventures which constantly attract tourists and art experts to quench their thirst for art. Basically, the metropolitan area of Detroit harbors some of the greatest artistic monuments for example The Guarding Building which is the central attraction to the city. Detroit is credited with the best paintings and the best painters like Graham Beal, Julie Mehretu and Jane Hammond. In Detroit, the Detroit Institute of Arts also has a wide collection of paintings which hail from all corners of the world consequently making Detroit an art attraction city. It is reported that Detroit owns more than 100 art galleries which showcase the talent and creativity of the people of Detroit (Uhr, 4). Painting being is one of the major aspects of art that has been vividly exploited by the people of Detroit. Due to this, this paper will explain the recent and old art of Detroit with a main focus on paintings around its metropolitan area. Paintings in Detroit The Detroit area hosts a wide range of paintings safely kept in galleries, museums, schools and famous buildings with some of the oldest and famous painters credited for the beautiful works. One of the oldest painters in Detroit was Diego Rivera who painted twenty seven wall paintings. His paintings featured the traditional Mexican culture which resembles the indigenous Indian culture (Scripps, 54). It is evident that art was used to express the heritage and culture of a people. Moreover, Diego Rivera’s work also included wall paintings or murals of the Ford Company at the start of making of the fuel propelled engine (Scripps, 147). He painted workers at the industry working with big machinery inside the Ford Company making the engines. This was a great monument which until today holds the memory of the beginning of the petrol engine designing. On the walls, Rivera painted murals with varied expressions from the cultural traditions of the Mexican people to the industrialism if the American nation (Scripps, 97). They were considered his greatest success which depicted the industrial and technological revolutions that were taking place around the nineteenth century. It is also evident that painting as art also stores the memories and events that were take place at a certain time In addition, Thomas Cole in 1845 and 1847 painted one of the most extraordinary pieces of the view of lakes and peaks at sunset (Richardson, 57). This was a great painting which attracted attention from the greatest collectors in Detroit. It was finally stored in the Schwartz Galleries among other paintings done by Thomas Cole. In his paintings, Thomas Cole expressed nature at different views clearly exploring the diverse natural attractions of Detroit. This explains that art is also used in the expression of certain natural phenomena. This led to increased tourist visitations and further enhancing the art of the Detroit people (Downs, Rivera & Kahlo, 57). Other inspiring and talented painters have also hailed from Detroit. Particularly, Patricia Hill Burnett (Siler) a lady who was born in Brooklyn moved to Detroit with her mother and started professional portrait painting (Beal, 21). She is credited with some famous paintings including the painting of the Philippines President Corazon Aquino in her presidential palace in Manila, the portraits of Margaret Thatcher, Max Fisher, Jackie Joyner Kersee and Indira Gandhi. Another artist who was very talented is Shelden Iden, who is credited with beautiful works of himself, and the inspiring paintings of the great Indian caves using the light rays that were streaming through the cave openings. Robert Wilbert, another painter based in Detroit, has been credited with great works of life’s emotions (Beal, 87). He is acknowledged to have made some famous paintings for example the painting of a tree near a lake which was used to mark the 150th anniversary of the US statehood and later being used on a postage stamp. In his works, Wilbert is also credited with works that vividly explain the emotions and feelings which transcend to factual concepts. He has also taught many junior painters in the Wayne State University since 1956 (Richardson, 35). Detroit is also credited with the establishment of art schools which offer professional artistic education to aspiring painters and artists. For example the Cranbrook Academy of Arts and Museums offers graduate only professional education in architecture, design and fine arts and masters of more than 200 fine arts courses. As Fleischman et al describes it ‘It’s almost given that anything produced here is accepted as creme de la creme’ (122). The institution is also credited with the production of the best young painters in the Detroit region with examples of Charles Gale, Andy Grant and others who have showcased their brilliant works in art galleries around the Metro Detroit region. This has enhanced the art of painting by giving the residents a professional perspective. As described by Beal the art of painting is tiresome and slow but for an educated painter, the final work is the climax of his joys (45). In the Detroit Institute of Arts, there are various paintings collected from all over the world making it the center of attraction for art lovers in the Metro Detroit area. In the Institute, many paintings safely stored in the school museum for example The Drummer Boy by Thomas Couture, The Trappers return by George Caleb Birmingham, Madonna and Child by Benozzo Gozzoli and James Bowdoin by Joseph Badger (Richardson, 47). They inspire the upcoming and learning artist on what is expected from artists and painters. The museum is a national treasure with a mega store of the finest arts which are an attraction to visitors in the Metro Detroit area. As Beal describes it ‘the paintings in Detroit Institute of Arts explain the different cultures, feelings and phenomena clearly displayed by the artists’ (6). The Museum is a good example of a painting gallery with a varied collection of extraordinary art. In addition, a group of artists in Metro Detroit organize and hold art exhibitions to showcase their talent. As explained by Scripps, the Detroit Artists Market (DMO) organize and hold art exhibitions to market and showcase the extra abilities held by the people of Detroit (47). As stated by Richardson ‘It was first started in 1932 to recognize artists need for a place to exhibit and sell their work in addition to providing young artists with the means of a livelihood’ (65). The group is also credited with opening of art galas for the residents to have a taste and feel of the creativity and talent of the over 3200 artists who joined the group. Moreover, the artists are offered a platform for consultations and advice from the more experienced painters who had joined the group during its foundation. Further, the Metro Detroit region host a wide range of art galas with an exquisite taste of art (Downs, Rivera & Kahlo, 57). As described by Richardson ‘The Scarab Club which was founded in 1907 to promote the mutual acquaintance of art lovers and art workers; to stimulate and guide toward practical expression the artistic sense of the people of Detroit’ (100). The club collects, markets and show cases the different expressions of the Detroit people in various artistic venture mainly paintings. More so, some of the most decorated artists in the industry have been acknowledged by the club for example Patricia Hill Burnett and Charles Alexander with their fine works being displayed in the gala. The club has also helped the upcoming artists in giving them directions and advice in order to boost their performance in the painting industry (Uhr, 19). In the recent years businesses have sprung up in Detroit to help increase the earnings of artists in the region. Many companies are specializing in home decorations, paintings on walls and other artistic ventures. With respect to this, companies like Better Choice Painting have sprung up to meet the ever rising demand of painters in the Metro Detroit region. They deal in painting services and staining perfection to suit the customer’s needs. Others include the Beal Inc. Ltd which deals with remodeling and painting of buildings with a special touch of art, the Absolute Painting which specializes in painting foundations and finishing among other companies that deal in the art of painting and designs (Uhr, 19). Conclusion Through art many life’s experiences, phenomena and memories are expressed for the world to see. The Metropolitan area of Detroit has a wide scope of different kinds of art with a great deal of fine and exquisite paintings dated from the 19th century up to recent years. Many great painters have hailed from this region with a handful being credited with the world’s famous paintings. Through such painters for example Diego Rivera, Patricia Hill Burnett, Shelden Iden, Robert Wilbert and Thomas Cole among others, the art of painting has developed as not only as a hobby but also as a career. Furthermore, the habit of painting has been developed into a career with a number of institutions in the Metro Detroit area taking up the art as a course in their curriculum. Consequently, many organizations and groups have emerged, bringing together painters to grow and explore together this aspect of art. Besides, many art galleries have emerged as big and attractive companies since they are earning a fortune through tourist visitations. Also on the increase is the emergence of house and building painters who solely aim at making artistic paintings and decorations to home owners. References Beal G. W. J. American Beauty: Paintings from the Detroit Institute of Arts. Scala Publishers. 2006 Fleischman L.A, Fleischman B and Edward H. Dwight American Painting, 1760-1960: A Selection of 125 Paintings from the Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence A. Fleischman, Detroit, Literary Licensing, LLC. 2012 Richardson E. P. Twentieth Century Painting Detroit Institute of Arts, 1943 Downs L. B, Rivera D and Kahlo F.W.W. The Detroit Industry Murals. Norton & Company. 1999 Scripps J. E. Handbook of the Paintings, Ancient and Modern, Belonging to the Detroit Museum of Art; Detroit Museum of Art, BiblioBazaa 2009 Uhr H. German Drawings and Watercolors: Including Austrian and Swiss Works (Collections of the Detroit Institute of Arts). Hudson Hills Pr 1987 Read More