Ann Arbor garden show draws Heidelberg artist

Looks like the circus will be in town this weekend at the 1999 Ann Arbor Spring Garden & Flower Show. But this circus doesn't include lions, tigers or bears.

Tyree Guyton, creator of Detroit's controversial "Heidelberg Project," brings what he calls "City Circus" to Ann Arbor's Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds, which will run through Sunday.

Carolina Wheat, Guyton's assistant at the "Heidelberg Project" located on Detroit's east side, said the title represents "the absolute circus-like atmosphere that the city (Detroit) has put us in and the way they've handled things."

NATHAN RUFFER/Daily Tyree Guyton, creator of Detroit's controversial Heidelberg Project, stands in front of his exhibit called "City Circus" at the Ann Arbor Flower and Garden Show yesterday.

Controversy has surrounded Guyton's "Heidelberg Project" since its introduction to Detroit in 1986. The project addressed racial, social, political and economic issues through highly abstract and contemporary art. Guyton uses salvaged materials such as old toys and tires to express various themes.

Detroit city officials called Guyton's work an eye-sore and ordered the project sites to be completely bulldozed in February.

But Paula Morning, special events director for this year's show, said Ann Arbor welcomes Guyton's art.

"He has a lot of following with this community - with the arts community," Morning said. "We chose someone we knew had an outdoor urban landscape to their work."

Morning said she welcomes the controversial nature of Guyton's work because politically and socially inspired art is inescapably controversial.

Guyton will use old tires as planters and scavenged car hoods as part of his "Faces in the Hood for A Century of American Gardens" at this weekend's show.

There are no specifics concerning the greens Guyton will use for the show. Jenenne Whitfield, director of the "Heidelberg Project," said Guyton ordered a variety bundle of flowers and shrubs from the florist.

Morning forewarns this weekend's spectators that "City Circus" is "very, very different." She also said not to not leave home without your imagination.

Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds are located at 5055 Ann Arbor Saline Rd. The show is from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. today and tomorrow and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children.

04-02-99