In this Edition

Immersive Art
Experience Vincent van Gogh

There is no question that Vincent van Gogh is regarded as one of the most talented and influential artists in history. Van Gogh is famous for his paintings and drawings, many of which are recognizable to those even without an art background. The words ‘Sunflower,’ and ‘Starry Night,’ and ‘Self-portrait’ have become almost synonymous with Van Gogh. Detroit is lucky because two interactive and immersive experiences are visiting the city later this year, all aimed at bringing to life the famous story of the artist and his art.

Beyond Van Gogh

Coming to the TCF Center in June, Beyond Van Gogh is an imaginative and immersive experience created by renowned audiovisual designers, using cutting-edge projection. The exhibit is crafted using his dreams, thoughts, and words to drive the narrative and move visitors along projection swathed walls wrapped in light, color, and shapes that refocus into 300 of Van Gogh’s most famous paintings. Visitors have the opportunity to experience these once still images in a way that not only heightens their senses but creates a new perspective on the art. While walking through the exhibit, his own words are set to a symphonic score, hoping to bring visitors closer and better understand this tortured artist’s stunning work. Click or tap here to learn more.

Immersive Van Gogh

At a soon-to-be-announced location, Immersive Van Gogh will transport visitors to be a part of Van Gogh’s works—from his sunny landscapes and night scenes to his portraits and still life paintings. Created by Italian installation artist Massimiliano Siccardi, with a soundtrack by Luca Longobardi, this exhibit is a combination of art, music, cinematography, and immersive theater. With production featuring 60,600 frames of video, 90,000,000 pixels, and over 500,000 cubic square feet of projections, this is another exhibit not to be missed in Detroit this year. And bonus fact: This exhibit was featured on Netflix’s hit show, Emily in Paris, this past year. Click or tap here to learn more.

Van Gogh In America

And if two immersive Van Gogh exhibits don’t entice you, be sure to visit the Detroit Institute of Arts in 2022, as they celebrate the 100th anniversary of its purchase of Vincent van Gogh’s Self-Portrait. This was the first painting by Van Gogh to be bought by an American museum. To honor this landmark acquisition and celebrate the work of this artist, the Institute will present an exhibition dedicated to the introduction and early reception of Van Gogh’s work in America. Visitors can expect to view approximately sixty of Van Gogh’s paintings, drawings, and prints. They will also learn of the extraordinary measures taken by early promoters of modernism — dealers, collectors, private and public art institutions, and the artist's family — to frame his biography and introduction to the United States. Click or tap here to learn more.

More Arts And Culture

April: National Poetry Month

Did you know that April was National Poetry Month? And that this year marks the 25th annual celebration of poets and poetry? Each April, the Academy of American Poets puts together an extensive list of programming that reminds the public that poets play an integral role in our culture and that poetry matters. Over the past twenty-five years, this celebration has grown to touch millions of readers, students, K-12 teachers, librarians, booksellers, and publishers. Given the pandemic, the Academy has compiled a list of activities, initiatives, and resources that will allow you to celebrate National Poetry Month online and at home. Click or tap here to learn more.

Want to kickstart your celebration of National Poetry Month? View this 2013 TEDTalk from Stephen Burt, where he answers the question, “Why people need poetry?” This thirteen-minute presentation is a charming and fun look at some of Stephen’s favorite poets, line-by-line breakdowns, and a plea to always keep your imagination alive while reading poetry

Below is a curated collection of poetry from Jessi Kaminski, The War Memorial's Director of Communications. These favorite works have provided inspiration, guidance, and a sense of peace in this chaotic world.

American Democratic Values

Education for Responsible Citizenship

There is a persuasive body of evidence showing that our nation has long neglected civics and social studies education. Only twenty-two states require that high school students demonstrate a meaningful understanding of our system of government to graduate and annual surveys show an appalling lack of knowledge of even our most fundamental rights on the part of adult Americans. There is also a growing consensus that neglecting social studies and civics education has contributed to our present political dysfunction and, possibly, to events of January 6th. There is much less consensus, however, as to exactly what Americans need to know to become more responsible and effective citizens.

So, we will use this space within Inspired Thoughts devoted to American Democracy to consider four questions that are at the heart of our work:

How much do Americans really know about our system of government?
Can better civics and social studies education truly remedy America’s political dysfunction?
What needs to be emphasized, or not emphasized, in a renewed focus on civics and social studies?
How can we also reach adults who seemed to have missed, or forgotten, civics class?

Could You Pass the Citizenship Test?

For the past five weeks, we have wrestled with two questions. First, how much do Americans know about our history, rights, and system of government? Second, what should, or should not, be included in the K-12 curriculum if we as a nation were re-commit to educating people for responsible citizenship? In this sixth and final week of the series, we’re giving you a chance to gauge how much you personally know about our history, Constitution, and system of government. To do that, follow the link below and take the US Citizenship test that all immigrants aspiring to citizenship must pass before becoming naturalized Americans.

Take The Test

So, how did you do?

The test is tough — typically only 1 in 3 natural-born adult American citizens will attain the 60% needed to pass on their first try. More importantly, what should we do about a society in which only 1/3 of native-born citizens are able to demonstrate the minimum knowledge of our system of government that we expect from all those who aspire to US citizenship through naturalization?

The articles we have read as a part of this series made a compelling case that better civics and history instruction at the K-12 level could eventually produce an American population that is better equipped to function effectively and responsibly as citizens.

But, can we really afford to wait until the students of today become the dominant force in American public life? Or, do we also need to also reach and educate adults? Most importantly, how might we do these things in an America that is so deeply divided into questions of politics, government, and values that we no longer even agree on basic facts?

Inspired Thoughts is a collection of highly curated content that embraces the spirit and purpose of The War Memorial: arts and culture, community enrichment, leadership, and patriotism.

Derived from the notion that learning from others is the key to success, Inspired Thoughts is meant to shine a light on those making a difference in the world around them. This collection features artists, poets, writers, architects, and every thought leader in-between. Inspired Thoughts is the strongest reflection of what The War Memorial stands for, and what we aim to be.

The content featured on Inspired Thoughts is curated by War Memorial leadership — we also look forward to featuring special guest curators in the near future. If you are interested in providing content for Inspired Thoughts, please email our Communications team at jkaminski@warmemorial.org.

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