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Review of Exhibition: Urbis DTroit 20 May to 18 July 2004

Written by Aidan O'Rourke
2004-07-18

This exhibition is about the art, music and culture of Detroit USA. The main theme is the catastrophic decline of Detroit, and how an artistic subculture has emerged from within the dereliction. As featured artist Thomas Klepach expresses it: "Detroit is a cracked mirror reflecting the fractured American dream". In the lobby an Urbis-commissioned film by Elliot Eastwick explores the musical commonalities and connections between Manchester and Detroit. Entry to the exhibition is £5 but the film is free.

Both depressing and inspiring, the exhibition gives a tantalising introduction to the plight of Detroit, its artistic flowering and its glorious musical heritage from Motown classics to groundbreaking electronic music of the 80s and 90s. I was shocked by the photos of partly-destroyed buildings including Michigan railroad station, and of the people living in nearby neighbourhoods.

Using the eMac or iPod and headphones to listen to the playlist compiled by Mike Rubin was worth the £5 in itself. Elliot Eastwick's film with archive footage from legendary Northern Soul venue Wigan Casino and interviews with Mike Pickering and Derrick May was compelling. The film and exhibition point the way to a possible Museum of Manchester Music. All in all, a fantastic achievement and a credit to creative director Scott Burnham.

See also my article and playlist The Magic of Manchester

2004-07-18

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Read further articles The Manchester Wheelers a book about the Twisted Wheel in the 1960s. The Big Chip Awards 2009 Palace Hotel Manchester - a personal account. An exhibition about East Manchester by photographer writer Len Grant. Manchester Then and Now - book by Jonathan Schofield photos by Aidan O'Rourke. Capture Manchester exhibition preview at CUBE gallery. Marketing Manchester and MIDAS film on public transport in Greater Manchester. Manchester cityscapes: Where to view them and how to photograph them. The Northern Quarter: Greenwich Village of Manchester?. Oxford St Peter St Manchester's 'Entertainment Street' last place for another office block. Along the A6 ancient north-south route across Salford and Manchester. Achievements of Tony Wilson and why it's not the end for 'Mr Manchester'. My experiences of Tony Wilson music maverick media personality and mentor. A journey along Palatine Road south Manchester - link between two counties. Central Station lives again! Travel by train in the Manchester that might have been - MP3 Audio introduction. BBC Life On Mars Manchester location guide and critique. Hacienda 25 exhibition Urbis Manchester MP3 Audio Slideshow. Interview with Brother Cyril headmaster of Xaverian College Manchester MP3 Audio. Leonard Cohen at the preview of his art exhibition in Manchester. Manchester congestion charge: Critique of the GMPTE document and proposal. Journey along Kingsway key artery of south Manchester and pioneering road. The Gentry Grooming Company Manchester website launch. Book Review: The Munich Air Disaster by Stephen R Morrin. In conversation with Tony Wilson on Talk of the Town Radio Manchester. Stunning views over Manchester from Mauldeth Rd station temporary footbridge. The sound of steam trains can still be heard across south Manchester and Stockport. Why demolition of the Paramount / Odeon is bad news for Manchester. Family History: Why so many marriages in Manchester Cathedral?. Misconceptions about Manchester: Not the Rainy City!. Manchester's streets aren't paved with gold. Manchester Round Table Discussion No1 27 Oct 04. Along the Mancunian Way, Manchester's 'Highway in the Sky'. Hacienda Memorabilia and Shrinking Cities. Review of Trevor Grimshaw Exhibition Shades of Grey. Review of 'Cities' exhibition Manchester & New York. The Image of Manchester in the eyes of PR. Search my 3 sites using Google Custom Search Custom Search