by River Roshana

Created on: March 01, 2009

Underground art in Detroit? There is nothing literally secret or "underground: about it. Detriot's underground art scene is an open assortment of artists, both in the acoustic and visual arts, who have come up with their own distinct art which identifies them as belonging to the multicultural community of Detroit.

Ask DJ Jeff Summers who is planning his first underground art exhibition at the Tangent Gallery in Detroit this June. Summers, who is a long time resident of Detroit, explains that underground art in Detroit is buzzling with life as most artists both from the music and visual scene are now coming together to create an environment where Detroiters can enjoy the fusion of art and music which is distinctively Detroit. This kind of art means considering the historical roots of the old "Motor City" and inclusion of the "old" Detroit story into today's popular art.

Thus, things are happening in the art scene at Detroit. Artists feel that these activities are important- even essential - to keep the culture, history, and their music alive even through tough times such as the much feared recession. The Detroit Underground artists are primarily musicians but there are also visual artists who have joined this art movement. They even have a Fecbook group which explains that the Detroit Underground movement is a "mulidisciplinary art movement dedicated to exploring identity, spatial relations, and systems of communications within contemporary culture". It is art but it's more than art, it's the whole story of Detroit's history told primarily in music, painting and other forms.

Detroit Underground also is a music label, but that's only one of its functions. Detroit underground also makes it clear that it aims to provide a creative venur for publis discussion, critical discourse and through live music, exhibits, even the use of the electronic media and web-based lectures.

Sure, the Detroit Underground music may sound rather eerie and even unclassifiable, One can't tell what it sounds like but the angst is ever obvious, particularly if you're listening to "Kero" or Seth Troxler who is a DJ/musician who is promoting the Detroit music with arts team called Baretta Grey. Listening or reading the conversations of these artists may give you the feeling that you're in another time and place. To give you an idea of what we mean try visiting the Corktown Tavern the next time you're in Detroit where there seems to be an eternal party led by artists!

This kind of art may seem strange, but there are concepts founded by Matthew Bender in 2006 while he wa studying at the Michigan State University. It is everything Detroit from bikes to creative graphic designs. Thus, it isn't only music or dance but rather a whole progressive distinctive expression of a place and sub cultures which MAKE this place - Detroit - unique, extraordinary and unabashingly colorful !

Learn more about this author, River Roshana.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.