Edition No. 36
In this Edition
Arts and Culture
Running through September 2021, visit Cranbrook Art Museum’s newest exhibition, With Eyes Opened, which celebrates the school’s nearly 90-year history of shaping the art and design world.
American Democracy
This past month, we wrapped up our Live American Democracy events for spring 2021. We recap our latest topic and share a recording of this virtual lecture for those who couldn't attend.
With Eyes Opened: Cranbrook Academy of Art Since 1932
This summer, join for one of Metro-Detroit’s newest art events: Cranbrook Art Museum’s exhibition, With Eyes Open: Cranbrook Academy of Art Since 1932.
Available to view and visit now through September 19, this exhibition chronicles the school’s nearly 90-year history, featuring more than 275 works by more than 220 artists—all representing the various programs of study, including architecture, ceramics, design, painting, sculpture, and more. The exhibition is organized into gallery themes that highlight the school’s contributions to art, architecture, craft, and design. Guests can expect to visit galleries such as The Menagerie, which looks at how artists draw inspiration from the animal kingdom, or Object Island, which examines how Cranbrook’s craft departments have influenced the fields of jewelry and metals, fiber, and ceramics. The show includes works by well-known artists and designers—Saarinen, Eames, Knoll, Girard, Bertoia, Fredericks—and lesser-known but important figures such as Nelly Homi Sethna, who established the National Institute of Design in Ahmedabad, India, that country’s most influential textile design program.
In tandem with this exhibition, the museum has also published a 624-page book. The book focuses on 200 artists who have shaped the academy's artistic community. Alongside the exhibition, this book shows just how deep the impact of the academy has been on reinventing art and design in America.
This Hour Detroit article details some of the exciting features highlighted in this next exhibition. For more details, time, date, and how to purchase tickets to this exhibition, visit the link below.
With Eyes Opened: Cranbrook Academy of Art Since 1932 at Cranbrook Art Museum. Photo: PD Rearick
With Eyes Opened: Cranbrook Academy of Art Since 1932 at Cranbrook Art Museum. Photo: PD Rearick
With Eyes Opened: Cranbrook Academy of Art Since 1932 at Cranbrook Art Museum. Photo: PD Rearick
With Eyes Opened: Cranbrook Academy of Art Since 1932 at Cranbrook Art Museum. Photo: PD Rearick
Live American Democracy Events
Spring 2021 Wrap Up
Our final live American Democracy event of the spring 2021 season proved to be the most controversial: a session with some University of Michigan-Dearborn political science and communications faculty on the 2020 election and its continuing aftermath. A number of people took us to task for our write-up for that session which described allegations of fraud in Michigan’s 2020 election as “unfounded.” Interestingly, a GOP-controlled committee of the Michigan State Senate has since concluded that there was no fraud. Further, the Chair of that committee, Sen. Ed McBroom R-Vulcan, described as “ludicrous” some of the allegations that we are getting grief for having called merely “unfounded.” For his part, Senator McBroom is also urging that those making allegations of election fraud for what he termed “personal gain” be investigated.
To learn more about what might or might not be the final official inquiry into Michigan’s November 2020 election, we share with you a BridgeMICHIGAN story, which details the report of Senator McBroom’s committee. You’ll also find a recording of our June 23 virtual discussion below, which looked at the 2020 Election and its continuing aftermath, featuring guest speakers Professor Tim Kiska, Professor Nancy Kursman, and Professor Julio Borquez.
Mark your calendar!
An Evening With Alexander Hamilton
Our new season of live American Democracy events launches Wednesday, September 29 at 7pm. Our guest that night will be Alexander Hamilton who will talk a little about his views of government and our nation and take audience questions. Later, his friend Prof. Hal Bidlack, formerly of the US Air Force Academy, will help us to better understand Hamilton in his historical context and appreciate how his work continues to shape and influence our nation. This will be a 90-minute session. Watch this space for details and an opportunity to register for Hamilton Lives!
Image: National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of Henry Cabot Lodge
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.