Writing on the Wall Photography Exhibition

Detroit Photographer Displays Positive Side of Detroit

Immediate Release

February 20, 2011

Contact: David Clements 248-543-2596

david@davidclementsproductions.com

WRITING ON THE WALL  - INTERNET DETROIT PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION    

DETROIT, Michigan USA -- Renowned Detroit photographer David Clements’ new photo exhibit “Writing on the Wall, “ a visual history of the streets of Detroit is being released by Places Journal at Design Observer.  Text by Douglas M. Haller.

 

http://places.designobserver.com/entry.html?entry=24518

Local historian and archivist Douglas M. Haller, says Clements’ work “emphasizes the beautification efforts that current residents make by transforming depressing streets into colorful galleries. His street photography reveals that signs, murals or entire buildings send messages that seem to talk, if not shout, to the passerby, using splashes of vibrant color, religious-infused script and heroic or fashionable faces.”

Places Journal: Founded 26 years ago by architecture faculty at MIT and Berkeley, Places is an interdisciplinary journal of contemporary architecture, landscape, and urbanism, with particular emphasis on the public realm as physical place and social ideal. The journal is now a fully web-based, open-access publication. Places online publishes peer-reviewed scholarship as well as topical commentary, observations, reviews, and visual portfolios.

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Johnny's Ham King Diner

If you are interested and a good meal 7am-3pm six days a week check out Johnny's Ham King on Fort St. at 18th Street.

The grill is the heart of this Albanian family business that has put three children thru college.

Peter holds court most days backed by a brother-in-law, and two sons.  I order the ham and eggs with fresh cut potatoes.  There is alway leftovers which make for a great sandwich or treat over several days for my dog.

The diner is opposite an 1897 warehouse backed by St. Anne Catholic Church.

Johnny's Ham King would make a great location too.

Annie Oakley Grave Site in Ohio

While traveling in Ohio recently I visited the Annie Oakley archive at the Garst Museum in Greenville.
Annie Oakley (Phoebe Anne Moses) was born in Darke County, Ohio in 1860. By the age 15, she was excellent hunter and protege sharp shooter. She became the first female superstar, who toured North America and Europe first as circus act, later in Buffalo Bill's Wild West show. She appeared in motion pictures for Thomas Edison and her image and life story told through books, stage, and film and television.

She married Frank Butler in Windsor, Ontario in 1882 and together they toured until retirement in 1913. Somewhere I read a reference to her having a sister in Ferndale, Michigan.
She died at age 66 in 1926 in Greenville. Frank died 18 days later. 

Michigan Central Train Station Meets Frederick Church

A large well planted and framed image of Syria on the Sea (1873) by Frederick Church sits in front of possibly the largest industrial ruin in North America - Michigan Central Train Station in Detroit. The contrast between the ruins of Syria are a reminder of how architecture is often discarded. The orginal painting is housed at the Detroit Institute of Arts.

Frederick Church has a long relationship with Detroit.  He was commissioned for one or more painting by Charles Lang Freer for placement in his private home/art gallery in Detroit around 1880. The Freer collection became the Freer Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.

Sweetest Heart of Mary Electrified

Sweetest Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Detroit at one point illuminated the Virgin Mary with 75 watt light bulbs. The church is an environmental shrine. The ceiling is painted as a cosmic universe with stars. I recommend a visitation to see the show on Christmas.