Illustration by Detroit’s own Stephen Schudlich
Chicago’s smaller cousin to the northeast has been suffering a fair bit these recent years, becoming something of a punching bag for out-of-town media, politicians and comedians. But from its depths, something special is underway. Detroit is reimagining itself, and starting to live up to its “renaissance city” moniker. We started taking notice of this during the great recession, when artists from all over the world started moving to Detroit, lured by its bargain real estate and urban grit. Like Berlin a half generation or so ago, it’s becoming a creative mecca, and with that seeing new life in its culture, a rethinking of its design and built environment, and new vigor in its entrepreneurial spirit. The future of Detroit seems unbound from its one-industry past. To coin an overused ad slogan from its automotive legacy, this ain’t your father’s Detroit.
In the spirit of our annual summer road-trip editions, several of our writers and editors—some Motor City expats, others Chicago through and through—visited and explored. At the same time, we connected with writers, artists and designers with boots on the ground, who added a native’s insight. What better way to celebrate our nation’s birthday than with a deep meditation on one great American city? And in doing so, gain some insight into our own city, and ourselves?
We hope that, like us, you’re inspired to visit Detroit and see for yourself. And if you find your way there this weekend, join us at MOCAD Sunday (see ad for details) for a release party for this issue. (Brian Hieggelke)
For the Love of Detroit: Reimagining A City By and For Those Who Stayed
Farm City: Sampling Detroit’s Thriving Urban Agriculture Movement
After the Rapture: Unforgettable Journeys to the Four Corners of Detroit
Detroit and Dan Gilbert: Public Versus Private Preservation and Placemaking in the Motor City
Rotland Funnies: Detroit Comics
Detroit, City on the Re-Make: Corktown’s Gold Cash Gold and Two James Distillery
This City of Turmoil: An Interview with Ingrid LaFleur of AFROTOPIA About Her Detroit
Point of Origin: Mapping the Arts in Detroit
The Writer’s Advocate: Detroit’s Poet and Literary Arts Organizer Extraordinaire, M.L. Liebler
Poetry Review: “Made in Detroit” By Marge Piercy
Anthology Review: “Here: Women Writing on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula” edited by Ronald Riekki
Mayor of Stories: Detroit Storyteller Satori Shakoor
Is Rock Dead? What Killed Detroit’s Popular Venue, The Magic Stick
The Germans Are Coming: Techno Entrepreneur Has Big Plans for Detroit
A Visit to Cranbrook: Cradle of Mid-Century Modernism Near Detroit
