Wasserman to Open New Art Gallery in Eastern Market

Wasserman Projects, billed by Detroit developer and arts philanthropist Gary Wasserman as "an independent, interdisciplinary arts space," is in the throes of major renovations in preparation for its grand opening on September 25. The first exhibition planned for the space, which will open to the public during Detroit Design Festival, will feature work by NYC artist Markus Linnenbrink and his collaborator, Miami Beach architect Nick Gelpi. The installation will combine art and architecture, making the gallery into an artwork visitors can walk around in.

A permanent gallery installation set to open in fall 2016 will bring live "art" chickens to Detroit. Wasserman Porjects will serve as permanent home to the Cosmopolitan Chicken Project, Belgian artist Koen Vanmechelen's statement on human diversity using live chickens (and later their taxidermied bodies). Not to worry—no chickens, nor even eggs, are harmed with this work. The chickens live in the exhibit til natural causes take them away to chicken heaven. While this seems novel and fun—and it is—the exhibit will also house non-art chickens (for the usual chicken purposes) as well as a mushroom production area and a food-based outreach program that offers fresh eggs and Detroit-reared mushrooms to the community.

When the interior remodel is complete, the space will offer an artist's residency, a small retail gallery, and a whopping 9000 square feet of display space.—Rebecca Golden

·Detroit Design Festive [Detroit Creative Corridor Center]
·Wasserman Projects [Gary Wasserman]
·Cosmopolitan Chicken Project [Koen Van Mechelen]
·Sculpture by Markus Linnenbrink [Markus Linnenbrink]