DETROIT – Access to vibrant public art spaces continues to expand across Detroit.
On Friday (Nov. 1), a new group of cultural life-sized sculptures was unveiled in the city’s Mexicantown neighborhood.
“I love this community,” said Detroit-based visual artist Elton Monroy Duran.
There was a lot of buzz along Bagley Street, between 24th Street and the I-75 Service Drive, as community members gathered to see his new public art installation.
“I’ve been creating public art on buildings,” Duran explained. “But this was an opportunity to create public art for the city.”
Five colorful sculptures, crafted from car parts and metal, are now lining the street. They include a big cat, a wolf, a dog, a donkey, and a giraffe.
Duran said he wanted to fuse two concepts, including Alebrijes, a traditional Mexican and Aztec folk art form, with contemporary materials symbolic of the Motor City.
“You know, the idea of cars and how we are actually part of the city,” Duran said. “The idea is we are a part of this too. You know, we’re a part of the City of Detroit, too. We’re a part of the Motor City, too.”
The city of Detroit, the Knight Foundation, and the Gilbert Family Foundation make this public art project along the Bagley Streetscape possible.
The sculptures are partly a nod to Hispanic Americans and their contribution to the city of Detroit and its auto industry since the early 1920s.
“This is very unique for us,” said Karina Lambaren. “Especially for our community.”
Neighbors said the sculptures are about more than art. They said it’s about celebrating culture and community.
“It’s especially important for the children in our community to see this,” said Ariana De La Luz.”
The Southwest Business Association will help maintain and care for this permanent public art installation.