Heidelberg Project

Hubby and I have visited a few times.  He is suspicious; I am hooked.  In my opinion,Tyree Guyton has achieved the almost-impossible aim of enlivening a dying neighborhood without ennobling it.  In hubby's opinion, dots and stuffed animals aren't really art.

Regardless of your eventual take on this neighborhood, it is worth seeing, because it is truly one-of-a-kind. Mr Guyton's work is enhanced by Timothy Burke's work and the whole neighborhood is an Only-In-Detroit experience you shouldn't miss.

BTW - Even suspicious hubby gives this a grudging four stars because of what it represents - a unique art installation on a public street in a major city.

The Heidelberg Project really is something else.

I'm from Heidelberg, Germany and really wonder why they named it this, there are no similarities whatsoever, it has left an imprint on my mind forever, the same goes for my family.

We went around the block twice just to take it all in again, truthfully I would have gone a third time, it is so different, so amazing, such a life changing impact.

I don't have an artistic bone in my body but this really is art.

I stared, thought, felt what was going on here, it was so real, surreal and insane all at the same time!

I loved it, was creeped out, intrigued, so many emotions....WOW!

One can not put this in words, I hope it stays around for a long time, this is something I would go back to see again everytime I am in Detroit and would go show and recommend anyone to go see!

The Heidelberg Project is one of those quintessential Detroit displays that everyone should at least drive through. And the spirit of it continues to abound in hope. Having suffered 9 fires in less than a year, it still stands strong and proud.
Every time I go there's something different there, and something new I notice, and something old I look at closer. Check it out... enjoy... appreciate the details that are not so subtle...

This is an amazing spot. It is definitely a must see while visiting Detroit. The city's fall to ruin and crime has been well documented in film, photography, music, and podcasts. The heidelberg project encapsulates the spirit of detroit, broken but beautiful... reclaiming it's luster bit by tiny bit. Every day objects combined with dilapidated homes mesh to become something beautiful and startling in the middle of an urban wasteland. It is living art, recycled garbage, old shoes, and upcycled odds and ends. I spent hours here and felt perfectly safe. The area has security guards on foot and it is well patroled by The Detroit Police department. I would recommend having several hours, and taking loads of pictures. This is truly a unique experience, each time I go I notice something new and strange.

First and foremost, let me state, I've never been one to go to see art displays, nor have I been to the DIA.  But things are starting to change.

I've visited The Heidelberg Project these past 2 weekends.  The 1st time with my wife, and then this weekend with my 2 daughters (12 & 8).  I am amazed by all the things I missed from my 1st visit when I came with my girls.  Looking at the same displays, new things popped out at me and my mind started racing trying to interpet what Tyree Guyton was trying to convey with his artistic display.

It spans a block of so, and the neighbors seem to be friendly.  I even bought ice cold bottled water from a Husband and Wife that sits at the start of the street in a big yellow house.  :)  

Drive thru, I bet you'll want to get out and take a closer look - I guarantee it!!!

When I'm downtown, I'll be checking it out again...

My daughters really enjoyed it, and my youngest has me leave a donation at the numbers house.  :)  I had each of them take pics with their iPods, and they sent their favorite ones to me.  The things that caught their eyes were amazing...  

:)

Had friends from out of town and took them here. It's a very unique street with crazy artwork. Definitely recommend visiting.

You like art? You like to sound cool, hip and down with the underground? Then get here playa cuz this is as good as it gets. Fucked up houses in fucked up Detroit looking good as fuck cuz of some good old fashioned TLC. My god what a place to take a stroll, smootch yo girl or just generally get inspired to get off your fat ass and do something g worthwhile with your life.

Def a "when in Detroit" touristy attraction.

Don't let the neighborhood scare you. Most of the locals know you're an out-of-towner (hello! Asian girl w/ White fiance in a top down Porsche!). My fiance is {cautious} in Detroit. Me? Bleh, I work in the ER, puleease. Don't get rough w/ me friend.) and they stare as you go by but they know you're there to explore Tyree Guyton's art.

Check out the website for a quick rundown on the Heidelburg Project. It really is "Using art to provoke thought, promote discussion, inspire action and heal communities..."
heidelberg.org/index.php…

We were intrigued and confused at the same time. Made me reflect back 12 yrs ago during my Art History days at my liberal arts High School. "Trash art on crack" per fiance.

Do a drive by through Heidelberg Street, Mt. Elliott and Ellery Streets then park. It's not big and you could easily spend ~1hr photographing, observing, picking your brain.

Edited to add on 7/4/13:
Tim burke of detroit industrial gallery asked me to give credit to his metal sculpture artwork. He is an autonomous artist with a studio gallery within the Heidelberg Project. Look for the yellow house with the giant logo.
detroitindustrialgallery…

Definitely one of our highlights as we went through Detroit. Important civic conversation, national topic, and venue for art. Take the time to read whatever handouts are there, talk to whatever people are there (including any staff who help run this operation), and make sure to budget for reflection time. I also spent some time Googling the history of the project, as it helped to know how many houses had been burned down and when, which helped even more to contextualize what I was taking in. What I liked the most about visiting HP was taking a little bit of its history with me, the story sticks with you and pushed me to reflect on my own neighborhood.

The project is very interesting. I live in the area so i make a point of driving by often and taking my friends to see it when they are visiting. It's captivating. It's an artists' take on a city that is having problems but is worth the fight.

The eerie feeling you get when driving through the neighborhood is amazing. it's hard to find an art project that touches you in this way. It pulls you in,  you can almost feel the struggle of the city. As a native, it touches me even more because it's a morbid representation of a city that i love.

There are still people that live in the houses.
Its free to drive through and see the project i would suggest it in a date if you are in the area because it's a cool conversation piece thats free of charge and convenient to see.