The Detroit Institute of Art

One of the gems of the motor city, The Detroit Institute of Art, is a beacon of knowledge and inspiration for all those who seek it. Offering much worldly knowledge and even just a day of fun, the DIA is a wonderful place that you should definitely come to see. With its expansive collection of stunning artwork, and historical items from around the world, coming to this museum is a great way to find inspiration to do something magnificent and creative, to learn of the world's many amazing cultures and their styles of art, or just a fun way to spend an afternoon with friends and/or family.

The main attraction of the DIA is its extremely diverse collection of artworks, varying from the many different art styles and cultures of the world. The large variety of art styles that the museum presents is awe inspiring. From the ancient to the modern, realism to abstract, the assortment of artistic trends seems to be different with every turn. These styles and techniques in artworks can greatly differ from culture to culture, but also from time period to time period, and artist to artist even in the same time period. Each gallery is fashioned to complement the pieces displayed there, so each one is distinct. The setting often shifts with the time period and regions the artwork hails from. With over 100 of these galleries and 66000 pieces in the collection, it is very easy to get lost in the experience of taking it all in.

The differences in culture do somehow all tie together. If you look long enough, you will begin to see that the many people on this earth all share similar troubles, conflicts, and desires. All of which manifest into the art that is exhibited. Each problem is met with a solution that the culture deems the best way to deal with it. These solutions are often distinct to the specific region and people. Each piece on display is one person’s( or culture’s) unique way of dealing with issues that we all face in our day to day life, or at least, at the time the piece was made. In learning about the different pieces, their backgrounds and purposes, we develop a greater understanding of the many different cultures around us.

Even though it is most well known for its massive collection of art works, the DIA also holds an astonishing number of historical pieces. Each exhibit tells a story, which the museum staff is more than happy to share with their visitors. Below each exhibit is a description of the piece, its meaning and its artist. It also shares the period its from, important events that may have inspired it’s creation, what it represents and, if available, the use of the piece. These pieces of history can draw one in far more effectively than any school book because they are physically and changeably there. These artifacts are able to be inspected and analyzed a little more closely because they hold the visitors' interest and curiosity.

Through the DIA, visitors grow to be more aware of other cultures, practices and traditions, as well as their own cultural identities. By becoming more in touch with one’s cultural background and past, you do not only become more worldly but you learn a little more about yourself. We are not defined by our heritage and culture, but they do still make up a large part of who we are, and it can be a fruitful experience to learn more about it. Many Detroiters come to this museum for just this reason and are met with a massive mural depicting the automotive industry of Ford motor company. The mural, painted by Diego Rivera, made up of twenty-seven panels, is a tribute to the growth of Detroit. It wraps around several walls, depicting many events, such as the growth in technology and medicine. This mural leaves many meaning and interpretations up to the audience, allowing them to make their own connections to the piece. As the people in the photograph to the left gaze up at the mural, say that they could make out the loss of Native American land, the Industrial Revolution, and even the birth of humanity.

On one of my many visits to the DIA, I was able to learn a little more about my heritage and the ways in which people celebrated the holiday. This particular visit was very close to the Mexican holiday, Día de los Muertos. So, the artworks presented in this exhibit were all hand made altars made in order to celebrate.These altars are made to honor the memory of the dearly departed. Each one was full of life and color. They were all strikingly unique and beautiful. However, the one that caught my eye the most was named “Bridging the gap”. It was decorated with bones and many bold colors like the others. However, this one had two skeletons standing on either side of the entrance to a small bridge that extended behind the skeletons. The bridge was adorned with flowers and candles, with a few touching pictures of the subject of the altar set upon it. The bridge of the sculpture is meant to represent the connection to the spirit world the altar has, and the specific loved one’s journey to and from it on the holiday. I see it as a way of saying that no matter what, we are still connected to the ones we love; even in death. This sculpture holds a great deal of meaning to me and gave me a new perspective of the concept of death as well as insight into the way the people of my heritage view it.

The DIA is fun for all ages, it has large beautiful halls and many interactive stations with which children can learn more about the different artworks in the galleries. These stations sometimes challenge the child to partake in eye-spy games to locate interesting works of art, and are then rewarded with an interesting factoid about the piece. The DIA is a place in which children can experience different art of the world and develop a connection with other cultures. In order to ensure increase their reach to as many minds as possible, admission is free to all residents of Wayne, Macomb, and Oakland counties.

Not only does the DIA broaden your views of different cultures and artworks, this is an environment that fosters creativity and inspiration. It is often that seeing so many different works of art and beauty created over the course of human civilization, awakens a surge of creativity, drive or an inspiration to create, in a person. This sudden burst of motivation to strive and make something beautiful yourself, to make a contribution to the many miracles that have come from so many people all over the world, is something that touches visitors everyday. It is a wonderful way to end a trip in the city and is a definitively a feeling worth leaving with.