The Heidelberg Project, with its Dotty-Wotty house, and Tyree Guyton are known worldwide. I’ve read about it and seen pictures but I had never visited it myself. And I‘m pretty sure my husband had never heard of it. It was time to head to the east side of Detroit and experience this outdoor art installation.
The Dotty-Wotty House at The Heidelberg ProjectTyree Guyton started The Heidelberg Project in 1986 simply by cleaning up vacant lots. Cleaning up the neighborhood led to the painting of the dots and the found art. Today, The Heidelberg Project is still evolving, almost as though it is living, growing being.
The Heidelberg Project is a Detroit-based community organization designed to improve lives and neighborhoods through art. (From The Heidelberg Project website)
We turned off of the main road onto Heidelberg Street, but we were still a few blocks from the site. The neighborhood was rundown and reminded me of the houses we tore down while working with the Motor City Blight Busters.
After another block, I could see it up ahead, the colors scream out at you. We parked and started looking around. There was an information booth with a man standing outside of it, setting up. I knew instantly that it was Tyree Guyton. I was not expecting him to be there, it was a nice surprise.
The Number HouseTyree introduced himself and asked our names and shook our hands. He then asked if we would like to purchase a map of the project that describes the houses and works in detail for $10.
I wanted to talk to him but more people kept on coming up to the booth. He was quite busy. I was surprised that there were about 20-30 other people there, I just assumed we’d be the only ones. Some seemed to be in a group. One guy, I’d say he was about 18 or 19, asked Tyree what motivated him. “Life,” was Tyree’s answer.
Stuffed animals nailed to a house in The Heidelberg Project.
My husband and I walked around, looking at the Dotty-Wotty house, The Faces in the Hood, and a house with stuffed animals nailed to it. It’s quite a surreal little block and it’s so much a part of Detroit. In fact, it’s one the top tourist destinations in the city.
There is a yard filled with vacuum cleaners that is meant to show that the city needs to clean up the blight. The gloves on the handles of the vacuums symbolize that the city officials don’t want to get their hands dirty.
The polka dots symbolize diversity. The dots are of all different colors and sizes but they are all equal. The Dotty-Wotty House shows universal harmony.
The project has created much controversy over the years, with parts of it being demolished on two separate occasions.
While we were leaving, the group and Tyree had the paint out and brushes in hand. New polka dots were about to be added to the sidewalk. It's still growing, evolving.
Covering up the blight at The Heidelberg Project.I didn’t get the same sense of joy, whimsy, or complete kitsch that I got from Hamtramck Disneyland. This is different. Tyree Guyton grew up on Heidelberg Street, he remembers the 1967 Detroit Riots, and this project grew from those experiences.
Whatever you think of the art itself, the thought behind it should be commended. It pushes people out of their comfort zones and makes them think. The organization brings communities together and is reaching out to young people. And it is uniquely Detroit.
So, what do you think? Is it art or an eyesore?