Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit

Mark your calendars! November 22, 2024, is the big day! ???? MOCAD’s Fall Exhibition Season kicks off with four incredible shows that explore surrealism in ways you’ve never seen before. From futuristic sculptures to immersive installations, these exhibitions push the boundaries of art, fantasy, and reality. ?? Doors open at 5:00 PM for members, and the public opening starts at 6:00 PM. Don't miss it—come experience the art that makes us think, question, and imagine new possibilities. See you there! #MOCAD #FallSeasonOpening #Surrealism #ArtForChange #DetroitArts #ContemporaryArt

Don't Miss! Saturday, February 8, 3pm ARTIST TALK: Chris Schanck's "A Surreality" with Wesley Taylor and Steve Panton Free to the public Meet the Panel: Wesley Taylor is a printmaker, designer, musician, animator, educator, mentor, and curator whose practice is rooted in performance and social justice. His work combines, oscillates between, and blurs the boundaries of various disciplines, embodying a multi-disciplinary and anti-disciplinary approach. Over the past 20 years, his individual practice has been deeply intertwined with a constellation of collectives and networks he has co-founded, including Complex Movements, Talking Dolls Detroit, Design Justice Network, Athletic Mic League, and All Faux Everythings. Steve Panton is the founder of 2739 Edwin and 9338 Campau Galleries and the co-founder of the Hamtramck Neighborhood Arts Festival, the Hamtramck Free School, and the writing/curating/research project Essay’d. He has produced over 60 exhibitions, many of which have traveled to other institutions or received national recognition. He has conducted seminal curatorial workshops, was the inaugural curator of the innovative Art@TheMax program at Detroit’s Orchestra Hall, and writes on Detroit art for The Brooklyn Rail, the Detroit Metro Times, and Sculpture Magazine. Outside of art programming, his background is in technology, engineering, and education. He is currently engaged in a long-term study of the relationship between art and the political economy in Detroit. Designer Chris Schanck’s work embraces the tension between dilapidation and opulence, asking us to find unconventional beauty in the imperfect. Schanck was born in Pittsburgh in 1975 and grew up in Dallas, Texas. He received a BFA in sculpture from the School of Visual Arts and a MFA in design from Cranbrook Academy of Art. Upon graduating in 2011, Schanck founded a studio in Detroit employing over a dozen artists, students, and craftspeople. Based in a former factory in Banglatown, a neighborhood with a dense immigrant population, the local community plays a key role in Schanck’s egalitarian studio practice, which brings outsiders into design culture.

CURATOR'S TOUR Friday, February 7, 5:30pm Free with Admission Join us on at 5:30pm on Friday, February 7 for a free Curator's Tour of our Fall/Winter Exhibition Season! MOCAD’s associate curators Abel Gonzalez Fernandez and Isabella Nimmo will explore the thematic throughlines behind each of the four shows, and the variety of ways artists are continuing to respond to and extend the enduring legacy of Surrealism today. @chrisschanck @visionsoftransitions @clare.gatto @baby_peach123456789

Poetry Night with InsideOut Thursday, February 6. 6pm MOCAD Galleries Free to the public Step into an evening of powerful expression with the InsideOut Detroit Youth Performance Troupe. Four young poets, each finding their voice, will share original spoken word pieces shaped by their year of growth and collaboration with local artists. Inspired by MOCAD’s Fall Exhibition season, their performances will weave together themes of world building, surrealism and teen visions of the future. Join us as these emerging voices bring poetry to life, offering a glimpse into their unique perspectives and the worlds they are shaping with their words.

WORKSHOP: SONIC FUTURES: Portal Fire: Soundscapes of Armenian Futures Thursday, February 13, 6-8pm Mike Kelly’s Mobile Homestead Free, Registration Required: https://lnkd.in/daCDPUrR Participate in an immersive soundscape workshop at MOCAD, presented in collaboration with the Underground Music Academy. This workshop includes guided discussions with artist Levon Kafafian, hands-on instruction in electronic music and soundscape design led by Detroit DJ Tammy Lakis, and opportunities for creative exploration. Participants will develop skills in crafting soundscapes inspired by the imagined future world central to Kafafian’s exhibition.

ARTIST TALK: Chris Schanck's "A Surreality" with Wesley Taylor and Steve Panton Saturday, February 8, 3pm Free to the public Join MOCAD in a conversation that celebrates the artistic networks at the center of Detroit. Panelists include; artists and designers Chris Schanck and Wesley Taylor with MOCAD’s Co-Director/Artistic Director Jova Lynne and will be moderated by writer and curator Steve Panton. Anchored by Schanck's exhibition, together this panel will discuss the importance of collaborative studio practices across Detroit’s contemporary landscape, and how legacies of art and design contribute to the sustainability of the city’s arts ecosystems. Public Programs are made possible through generous support from the Kresge Foundation and Michigan State Federal Credit Union "

We’re honored to receive support from the National Endowment for the Arts as part of their $36 million investment in the arts nationwide. This funding will help us bring Hank Willis Thomas + Mass Designs' Gun Violence Memorial exhibition to life, fostering dialogue and community engagement around this vital issue. Thank you, NEA, for championing the arts and their power to inspire change!

Exhibition Teaser "Surreality" by Chris Schanck is coming to MOCAD! Opening November 22, this extraordinary exhibition transforms everyday materials into shimmering, fantastical dreamscapes. Experience a world where science fiction, myth, and design collide to create objects that challenge the boundaries of reality. Want early access to this unforgettable journey? Become a MOCAD member and enjoy exclusive benefits, including a special member preview before the public opening. Don’t miss the chance to experience A Surreality like never before! Membership here: https://lnkd.in/geenHA99 #ComingSoon #ASurreality #ChrisSchanck #MOCAD #ArtTeaser #MembershipBenefits #JoinUs

A Heartfelt Thank You for an Unforgettable Evening at MOCAD’s Annual Gala + Art Auction! On October 26, 2024, we gathered for A Surrealist Ball, celebrating 18 years of MOCAD and the incredible art and creativity that have defined our journey. Your enthusiastic support made the night magical, helping us raise vital funds to sustain our exhibitions and impactful community programs. We were honored to celebrate the extraordinary achievements of our 2024 Honorees: ?? Olayami Dabls: Recognized for his influential work at the MBAD African Bead Museum, where he uses art as a medium to connect heritage and community empowerment. ?? Linda Powers: A founding Board member and passionate supporter of contemporary art, Linda has played a crucial role in MOCAD’s growth and mission. ?? Omari Rush: A champion of the arts, Omari’s leadership extends from local to national spheres, resonating with MOCAD’s dedication to cultural engagement. A special thanks to our The A. Alfred Taubman Foundation, The Applebaum Foundation, Rob + Linda Powers, and Dan Feld + Ann Berman, for making this night possible. Also, a continued thank you to our board president Dr Charles Boyd. Our Art Auction, hosted on Artsy, featured an impressive array of works from artists around the world. Thanks to your bids and participation, we are able to continue providing innovative art experiences for our community. Your generous contributions and commitment to the arts ensure that MOCAD remains a vibrant space for creativity and social change. Thank you for being part of this incredible celebration! Save the date: We look forward to hosting you again in October 2025 for MOCAD’s next extraordinary gala event. #MOCADGala #ThankYou #SurrealistBall #DetroitArts #ArtAuction #CommunityImpact #SupportTheArts

Brunch at MOCAD! The Local Spotlight: Brunch Edition series highlights local food vendors. Join MOCAD and our special guests on Saturdays, November 2, 11 + 23, in our Café for some delicious brunch! November 2: Khana Detroit November 16: Khana Detroit November 23: Homegirl Kitchen