Featured Urban Exploration The Heidelberg Project: Home Sweet Home

June 17, 2010 - 12:24 pm

The Heidelberg Project - Detroit Rock City

The Heidelberg Project was created in 1986 by artist Tyree Guyton and his grandfather Sam Mackey as a form of political protest to the deteriorating Detroit neighborhoods of his youth. It is comprised of numerous decrepit houses adorned with stuffed animals, brightly colored dots, and strange number patterns. The main goal was to develop the city’s first indoor/outdoor museum, creative center, and neighborhood gathering space.

Detroit-7144

It resembles what one could imagine how the Sesame Street set would look like if it was set a fire and Big Bird took a bunch of brown acid before trying to rebuild it.  My words can’t really do this joint justice, so feast your eyeballs on this…

Words and Photographs by Dustin Downing

The Heidelberg Project in Detroit Rock City
The Heidelberg Project - Detroit Rock City
Detroit-7144
Detroit-7144
Heidelberg Project 2010
Honey, I'm home.
Heidelberg Project
Howdy neighbor.
Heidelberg Project
Cheese!
Heidelberg Project 2010
Care bear stare!
Heidelberg Project 2010
How's my hair?
Heidelberg Project 2010
Here lizard, lizard.
Heidelberg Project Detroit
Jesus monkey.
Heidelberg Project Detroit
House on the 405.
Heidelberg Project Detroit
Duck, duck, bear?
Heidelberg Project Detroit Rock City
Wheeee!
Heidelberg Project Detroit Rock City
Cave drawing haven't come very far.
Heidelberg Project Tour
I'll have what he's having.
Heidelberg Project Tour
"Psycho" for kids.
Heidelberg Project in Color
Baaaaad Santa.
Heidelberg Project Tour
Near.
Heidelberg Project in Color
Far.
Heidelberg Project in Color
It's a fixer upper.
Heidelberg Project Detroit Rock City
Do you need a life vest if you can float?
Heidelberg Project Detroit
See spot, sit?
Heidelberg Project Detroit 2010
I disagree, just sayin'.
Heidelberg Project Detroit 2010
Crash test antenna toppers.
Heidelberg Project Detroit
Alter bank.
Detroit Heidelberg Project
Tonight we'll be having shoe casserole.
Detroit Heidelberg Project
Cords, wuh what?
Detroit Heidelberg Project
Remember the party line?
Heidelberg Project Detroit 2010
One, one house, ahh ahh ahh.
Heidelberg Project Detroit Rock City
We all know this girl.
Heidelberg Project Detroit Rock City
Brace face.
Heidelberg Project Detroit
Got head?
Heidelberg Project in Color
Great big fire stopper.
Heidelberg Project in Color
Googly eyes just work.
Heidelberg Project in Color
My HMO provider.

One thought on “The Heidelberg Project: Home Sweet Home

  1. I’ve been following Dustin’s work for two years now and quite simply Dustin Downing is one bad-ass journalist.

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