The Heidelberg Project

Clockwise from top left: Artist Tyree Guyton holds protest signs to keep the Heidelberg Project alive; "The Dotty Wotty House," representing the common

unifying spirit among people of all colors, and where Guyton keeps his studio; a sculpture shows the delicacy and diversity of the project; gloves and vacuum cleaners line one side of the street; one of Guyton's famous face paintings; "A Lot of Shoes," an outdoor installation symbolic of the "soles" of the

homeless and

unemployed.

photostory by adriana yugovich

In what many people consider trash, Detroit artist Tyree Guyton finds beauty. For more than 12 years, Guyton has transformed Heidelberg Street into a work of art with only his paint brush and found objects such as broken toys and old household items. The Project was initiated not only to promote a positive image for the city of Detroit, but also to educate the community about the power of creativity and awareness to heal and unify. The street is lined with Guyton's colorful sculptures and paintings; thousands of shoes line the sidewalk, bicycles, clocks and dolls swirl through the trees, numbers, polka-dots and images from the media and popular culture adorn the houses, and Guyton's symbolic face paintings smile from car hoods and surfaces everywhere. The controversial Project embodies a dynamic objective, redefining ideas of community, breaking boundaries and challenging conventional practices in the art world. The Project is currently the third most visited tourist attraction in Detroit. Still, three of the Heidelberg houses were demolished in 1991, destroying more than $250,000 of Guyton's studio artwork. At the Wayne County Circuit Court House tomorrow at 2 p.m., the city of Detroit will make its final verdict whether to tear down the project for good, or allow the art and the spirit to continue on. If the Heidelberg is destroyed, Guyton has big plans for his next project. "It's time for a revolution," he says. An exhibition of Guyton's recent works is currently on display at the new C-Pop Gallery, located at 1529 Broadway Ave. in Detroit. For more information about the .Heidelberg project, call (313) 537-8037 or visit the Website at www.heidelberg.org

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