Art & Around

Artrain brings touring Native American art exhibition to Ann Arbor

ANN ARBOR – Do you like art? Artist Demonstrations? Learning about other cultures? Artrain USA, the nation’s only traveling art museum on a train, presents “Native Views: Influences of Modern Culture,” a contemporary Native American art exhibition for one week-end only – Jan. 29 & 30 in Ann Arbor. In conjunction with the exhibition, some of Michigan’s finest Native American artists will sell and display their work in an Artisans Market.
Visitors will tour Artrain USA’s three galleries onboard vintage railcars and will view more than 70 artworks by 54 Native American artists including paintings and ceramics. Interactive works of art engage visitors in a modern, new and exciting way. Museum goers will be transfixed as artists create right in front of their eyes. Visitors can take home souvenirs from the Museum Gift Shop and can purchase original works of art from the Artisans Market.
The Artisans Market will feature a diverse group of Native American artists from Michigan, including: Detroit’s very own S. Kay Young, photographer; James Aquash, sweet grass baskets and mixed media; and Patrick Collins, painting and winner of Best of Show, 2004 Ziibiiwing Cultural Society Art Show. A variety of other artists with mediums including painting, jewelry, hand-made cards, textiles, pottery, stained glass and mixed media will also be represented.
Through the “Native Views” exhibition, visitors will learn about Native America’s powerful contributions to contemporary art and society and will also learn about the complexity of American culture. Visitors will also better understand the complex issues surrounding Native American history and the challenges faced today by tribal groups. Guest curator, Joanna Bigfeather (Western Cherokee and Mescalero Apache) redefines Native art by broadening the limits and confronting the stereotypes that currently define it. It is Artrain USA’s goal, through “Native Views,” to teach people about this artistic movement and to present an educational opportunity that lets visitors incorporate new ways of thinking into their views of Native art and culture.
Founded in 1971, Artrain USA is headquartered in Ann Arbor. As America’s Hometown Museum, Artrain USA fulfills its mission to enrich lives and build communities through the arts by bringing art exhibitions and educational programs to communities without access to traditional museums and encouraging the development of local cultural programs. “Native Views” will travel the country through 2007 and will visit up to 120 primarily rural and small urban communities in approximately 44 states. As many as 275,000 visitors will tour the exhibition.
Artrain USA and the Artisans Market will be open to the public Saturday, Jan. 29, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 30, noon to 5 p.m.
Artrain USA is located at 1100 N. Main Street in Ann Arbor. Admission is free; donations are encouraged.
For more information regarding Artrain USA or the “Native Views” exhibition, contact Laura Drew or Laurie Kondek at 734-747-8300 or via e-mail at: [email protected] or visit our website at www.ArtrainUSA.org.

DJ Spooky sheds modern light on D.W. Griffith movie with compelling video/audio remix

ANN ARBOR – Paul D. Miller, better known on the international music scene as “DJ Spooky That Subliminal Kid” will present his performance work “Rebirth of a Nation” under the auspices of the University Musical Society on Friday, Jan. 14 at 8 p.m. in Ann Arbor’s Power Center for the Performing Arts, located at 121 Fletcher Street. This event is part of the University of Michigan’s Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Symposium.
An accomplished artist in a variety of media including architecture, literature, and music, Paul D. Miller is recognized more by his adopted persona “DJ Spooky That Subliminal Kid.” His new performance piece “Rebirth of a Nation” is a modern take on D.W. Griffith’s controversial film masterpiece of the early 20th century, “Birth of a Nation,” a highly racist film that was used as a recruiting tool for the Ku Klux Klan. Using a variety of media, DJ Spooky attempts to distill the thoughts and ideas presented in this movie and, through modern mixing techniques, create a new “remixed” version of the movie that is, ultimately, more hopeful.
DJ Spooky’s remix of the silent classic combines footage from Griffith’s film with other video imagery projected on three giant screens and a pulsating live audio mix. Miller says, “The whole idea is to break the film apart. Griffith was one of the masters of editing. So I am re-editing his edit.”
For tickets or additional information, contact the University Musical Society at 734-764-2538 or online at www.ums.org. Tickets may also be purchased in person at the League Ticket Office located at 911 North University Avenue.

Exhibit at Lawrence Street to raise funds for Kidney Foundation

FERNDALE – Lawrence Street Gallery will host an all members’ exhibition with gallery fundraiser celebrating the 50th anniversary of the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan from Jan. 11 – 29, with an opening reception on Thursday, Jan. 13 from 5 – 9 p.m.
A percentage of proceeds from sales for the month of January will be donated to help the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan continue its mission: to prevent and eliminate diseases of the kidney and urinary tract, to enhance the quality of life for people with chronic kidney disease through education, services, advocacy and research, and to increase organ donation. To learn more about the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan visit its web site at http://www.nkfm.org.
Lawrence Street Gallery, located in downtown Ferndale, is an association of approximately 30 local artists. Since the gallery was founded in 1987 it upholds a tradition of featuring exhibits that change monthly to display a variety of fine art including paintings, drawings, printmaking, jewelry, ceramics, photography; and sculpture.
Lawrence Street Gallery is located at 22620 Woodward Avenue, Suite A, in Ferndale. Regular gallery hours are from noon to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Wheelchairs are accessible through the Woodward Avenue front entrance.
For more information please call the gallery at 248-544-0394 or log online to www.lawrencestreetgallery.com.