This time around the gallery has brought Beau Stanton, Coby Kennedy and Lala Abaddon to town to experience Detroit and create. I had the pleasure of having dinner with the group at Green Dot Stables and I can assure you that they are having a great time in Detroit while working very hard to get ready for their opening on November 11th, 2016. They are about halfway through their stay here so they will be sitting down to talk about the process so far at the Gallery on Saturday, October 22nd at 2 p.m. This will be a chance for you to meet the artists and have a conversation with them. We had a chance to talk to Lala a little bit about her experience so far and this is what she had to say. If you want to hear more, head up to the Red Bull House of Art on the 22nd!
HID-What is the biggest misconception you had about Detroit before you arrived here?
Lala Abaddon- "I can't say that I had any misconceptions, because I didn't know much about it to begin with, beyond common knowledge... but what what I wasn't prepared for was the level of magic and art that is just celebrated and experienced all over the city. I have had people tell me how great Detroit is- how magical, specifically, but I wouldn't have imagined it to be so constant and vivid. And also, so welcoming. There really is a common thread throughout the city the keeps all of its people connected, and that comes out in forms of community and gathering that is refreshing for me to experience."
HID- What is the most surprising thing that you've discovered about the city so far?
Lala Abaddon- "Really I think it's the architecture. Sometimes the art deco and late 50's modernism, coupled with the industrial structures, and the eventual loss of certain industries, reminds me of where I grew up as a kid in Syracuse NY. But other elements of it just make other cities pale in comparison- like the Guardian Building, and the Fisher Building... they are so opulent, and detailed, but so modern and forward thinking. There is an air of late 50's grandeur and pride, and you see that in the remaining older houses and structures, too."
HID-Have you been able to check out any bands or Detroit artists? If so who have you liked?
Lala Abaddon- "As for artists I was actually so lucky to be here during Murals in the Market, so I have met so many artists in the past week especially, and it has been ever inspiring. I've also gone to a lot of shows, like the Big Sculpture Show at The Factory, where Hannah Chalew blew my mind. During murals in the market I got to know Sydney James and see her mural unfold and her work is so charged and strong, so from a personal and artistic level I am humbled by that. Also I got to watch the film Wastedland 2 by Andrew Shirley a few times at the Art Park and that was incredibly funny and motivating, and real. There have been so many artists in and out, and I've met countless incredibly talented people."
HID- Are you nervous about showing your work to everyone on November 11th?
Lala Abaddon- "I am definitely not nervous. If anything I am just anxious to create all the work and be there with it all finished. What I have planned is more than me just isolating myself and creating a good body of work to hang on the wall and be admired. I want to give back that inspiration and magic that Detroit and it's people have already given to me with experiential, reality bending work. So the majority of the work I am creating is installation based, and there will really be an opportunity for people to choose to interact with it. I think Detroit is so hands on, and so much of it is burned forever in my brain. I'm trying to translate that all back, but with my own twist."
HID- Is there any chance you would ever move here or come back for a visit after the residency is done?
Lala Abaddon- "Most definitely. I wish I could move here, now. It seems like it is changing by the day and so a part of me wants to be here to experience more of it in it's purity. But, I don't think I'll be moving here just yet- I still love Brooklyn, and all it has to offer, and all it has given me. But I will definitely be back, as Detroit already feels like home."
HID- What is the most surprising thing that you've discovered about the city so far?
Lala Abaddon- "Really I think it's the architecture. Sometimes the art deco and late 50's modernism, coupled with the industrial structures, and the eventual loss of certain industries, reminds me of where I grew up as a kid in Syracuse NY. But other elements of it just make other cities pale in comparison- like the Guardian Building, and the Fisher Building... they are so opulent, and detailed, but so modern and forward thinking. There is an air of late 50's grandeur and pride, and you see that in the remaining older houses and structures, too."
HID-Have you been able to check out any bands or Detroit artists? If so who have you liked?
Lala Abaddon- "As for artists I was actually so lucky to be here during Murals in the Market, so I have met so many artists in the past week especially, and it has been ever inspiring. I've also gone to a lot of shows, like the Big Sculpture Show at The Factory, where Hannah Chalew blew my mind. During murals in the market I got to know Sydney James and see her mural unfold and her work is so charged and strong, so from a personal and artistic level I am humbled by that. Also I got to watch the film Wastedland 2 by Andrew Shirley a few times at the Art Park and that was incredibly funny and motivating, and real. There have been so many artists in and out, and I've met countless incredibly talented people."
HID- Are you nervous about showing your work to everyone on November 11th?
Lala Abaddon- "I am definitely not nervous. If anything I am just anxious to create all the work and be there with it all finished. What I have planned is more than me just isolating myself and creating a good body of work to hang on the wall and be admired. I want to give back that inspiration and magic that Detroit and it's people have already given to me with experiential, reality bending work. So the majority of the work I am creating is installation based, and there will really be an opportunity for people to choose to interact with it. I think Detroit is so hands on, and so much of it is burned forever in my brain. I'm trying to translate that all back, but with my own twist."
HID- Is there any chance you would ever move here or come back for a visit after the residency is done?
Lala Abaddon- "Most definitely. I wish I could move here, now. It seems like it is changing by the day and so a part of me wants to be here to experience more of it in it's purity. But, I don't think I'll be moving here just yet- I still love Brooklyn, and all it has to offer, and all it has given me. But I will definitely be back, as Detroit already feels like home."
~S
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