EVENTS
FALL EXHIBITION OPENING / DETROIT MONTH OF DESIGN
BETH LIPMAN + LAURA LETINSKY
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23rd @ 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Free and open to the public / Registration optional
Wasserman Projects is excited to share the opening reception of our Fall 2023 Exhibition with Design Core Detroit’s Detroit Month of Design. The exhibition features the work of Midwest artists Beth Lipman, and Laura Letinsky, and will be on view through December 16th. The event is free and open to the public, but we encourage you to SAVE THE DATE by reserving a spot via eventbrite.
ALEX SCHWEDER / CHARLI BRISSEY + SHANNON STEWART PERFORMANCE
THURSDAY, JUNE 1st @ 7:30 PM – DOORS AT 7:00
Tickets are required / General Admission and Student ticketing options available.
The performance will run for approximately 2 hours, concluding once the sun has set. Audience members are invited to move freely through the space, come and go as desired, or witness the evolution of the event in its entirety.
Wasserman Projects is excited to host a special performance by Charli Brissey and Shannon Stewart on June 1st, in conversation with the work of artist, Alex Schweder, and his Spring 2023 installation, The Third Thing.
Using Schweder’s artist statement addressing the sensual nature of The Third Thing–“an effervescent cocktail of skin, sound, mirror, fur, milk”–dance artists Charli Brissey and Shannon Stewart intervene with an iterative looping performance exploring gender, form, and relationality.
HENRY FORD MUSEUM + WASSERMAN PROJECTS
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17 @ 6 PM – DOORS AT 5:00
Tickets are free, with a $10 suggested donation option to support our future exhibitions and events.
Wasserman Projects is excited to partner with the Henry Ford Museum for a very special pairing of physical objects from the museum’s archives, in presentation with the paintings of our Spring 2023 featured artist, Caitlin MacBride.
We hope that you will join us on Wednesday, May 17th at 6PM, for a casual conversation with archivists from the museum, who will discuss the intriguing histories, relevance, function, and design, of the historic objects on site. Wasserman Projects, the Henry Ford Museum, and MacBride, collaborated in curating a selection of objects to be paired with her work for this special event.
Learn more about Caitlin MacBride and her work from her ARTSY Viewing Room!
SAND & STONE: NEW MUSIC DETROIT LIVE MUSICAL CONCERT
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9 @ 7 PM – DOORS AT 6:30
Tickets are required / Limited Capacity General Seating
The concert will begin promptly at 7:00pm with a 1hour run-time.
Please join us for a live, musical program as a parallel reflection upon duality and the deep entanglement of the old with the new, and performed in conjunction with our Fall 2022 Exhibition, Ancient Entanglements, featuring Matter Design + Sanford Biggers and From Within by Alyssa Taylor Wendt.
MUSICIANS
Percussion: Joe Becker
DABF MUSIC @ WASSERMAN PROJECTS
SATURDAY, OCT 15 @ 7 PM
Wasserman Projects is happy to host post fair festivities in a night filled with live musical performances, for the Detroit Art Book Fair’s eighth year. Sound by Thynk, Matthew Conzett, Maia Asshaq, and Efe Bes, and a first listen to the newly pressed record by Egyptian composer, Halim El-Dabh.
VIP PREVIEW + FALL GALA
THURSDAY, SEPT 22 @ 6 PM
Wasserman Projects along with co-hosts, Julie Rothstein + Jennifer Hermelin invite you to join us for an exclusive VIP preview of the site-specific exhibition by Brandon Clifford + Jo Lobdell of Matter Design featuring new experimental works by Sanford Biggers, produced in collaboration with Matter Design + MIT Labs. and strolling dinner, followed by a live performance by MoonMedicin. Guests will also receive a set of two limited edition vinyl records released in partnership with Third Man Records (valued at $400).
Limited Capacity, Please reserve tickets in advance. Valet Parking. Cocktail attire.
For more information please call 313.818.3550 or email info@wassermanprojects.com
Wasserman Projects Fund is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization. A portion of your ticket purchase is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by the law. Following the event, you will receive a letter of recognition.
MAY PIANO PERFORMANCES WITH JUSTIN SNYDER
THE SCENT OF LIGHT: FRIDAY, MAY 6 @ 7 PM – DOORS AT 6:30
LIQUID MEMORIES: FRIDAY MAY 13 @ 7PM – DOORS AT 6:30
Please join us for two live, musical concerts by Ann Arbor based pianist Justin Snyder, presenting a concept developed by Escforescent, and paired with scents by Detroit based Sfumato Fragrances.
VIRTUAL ARTIST TALK / PENNY STAMPS LECTURE SERIES
THURSDAY, OCT. 21 @ 8 PM
Please join us on air, in collaboration with University of Michigan’s Penny Stamps Lecture Series, for a unique opportunity to hear the artists and director behind Ocean Body, speak about their work.
Ocean Body is a multi-screen film and music installation directed and designed by Mark DeChiazza and collaboratively created with composer — vocalists Helga Davis and Shara Nova who embody a sculpture built for two by Annica Cuppetelli, artist and Lecturer II at the Stamps School of Art & Design.
Ocean Body examines the decade-long close friendship between Davis and Nova and seeks a necessary bridge for the division that exists not only in our society, but in ourselves.
VIRTUAL ARTIST TALK / PENNY STAMPS LECTURE SERIES
FRIDAY, OCT. 9 @ 8 PM
Please join us on air, in collaboration with University of Michigan’s Penny Stamps Lecture Series, for a unique opportunity to hear conversation with our Director and Curator, Alison Wong speak with
VIRTUAL OPENING / FALL 2020 EXHIBITIONS
THURSDAY, SEPT 17 6-8 PM
DIGITAL ART FAIR
Wasserman Projects is proud to announce our participation in @ArtMileDetroit, a new citywide digital art exhibition that champions Detroit’s vibrant and diverse arts community by promoting public programs and online acquisitions. Taking place July 29 – August 5, Art Mile will feature nearly 60 of Detroit’s local art galleries, institutional non-profits, museums and artist-run spaces. Visit ArtMileDetroit.com for updates and more information.
GUIDED VIDEO EXHIBITION TOURS
SATURDAY, APR 18 & APR 25 – 6:00 PM
Please join us for a streamed video walk-through of our current exhibitions: Dorota & Steve Coy’s “The Five Realms” and Adrian Wong’s “Tiles, Grates, Poles, Rocks, Plants, and Veggies” – Guided by Director + Curator, Alison Wong with Artists, Dorota + Steve Coy + Adrian Wong.
Wasserman Projects is pleased to present this online exclusive viewing to the public in small groups. Limited to the first 25 registrants with availability on a first come basis.
CLOSING RECEPTION + PERFORMANCE WITH EFE BES
SATURDAY, FEB 22 5:00 – 7:00 PM
We invite you to join Wasserman Projects for the closing reception of our Winter 2020 Exhibition, “Reflecting Pool” with a special performance by exhibiting artist and musician Efe Bes. “Reflecting Pool” features seven artists: Efe Bes, Jason DeMarte, Jacob Feige, Matthew Hansel, Esther Shalev-Gerz, Virginia Rose Torrence, and Graem Whyte. From painting, to photography and sculpture, this exhibition explores a contemporary approach to the interpretation and representation of classical concepts and aesthetics.
Closing Reception: 5:00 – 7:00PM
Efe Bes Performance: 5:30 – 6:00PM
This event is free and open to the public with a $10 suggested donation.
ARTWORKS DETROIT – THE 24TH ANNUAL BENEFIT FOR MATRIX HUMAN SERVICES
THURSDAY, SEPT 12 @ 5:00 PM
Wasserman Projects is pleased to host the 24th annual ArtWorks Detroit benefit event on Thursday, September 12th at 5pm., presented by Matrix Human Services to raise funds for educating children, supporting families and rebuilding neighborhoods across Detroit. ArtWorks Detroit will feature live and silent auctions of over 75 works from renowned local artists. Don’t miss this opportunity to purchase incredible works, enjoy local food, drink, and entertainment, while supporting an important cause!
PAINTINGS BY MARIA DICHIERA
SUNDAY, AUGUST 25TH, 4:00 – 6:00 PM
The DiChiera Family invites you to an exhibition of paintings by Maria DiChiera, from the collection of her son David. All sales will benefit the David DiChiera Artistic Fund at the Michigan Opera Theatre. Maria immigrated to the US in 1920, a pregnant and poor peasant from Calabria, Italy. She raised four children in America, including Michigan Opera Theatre founder David DiChiera. He and Karen DiChiera encouraged Maria to paint when she was in her sixties. Over a thirty year period she created hundreds of colorful and vibrant images, now offered for purchase. This exhibit is a one-day event, courtesy of Wasserman Projects.
SIGHT X SOUND – DSO PERFORMANCE @ WP
TUESDAY, MAY 21ST, 7:00 PM
Our second in the series of three events this season in collaboration with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Wasserman Projects is excited to present another night of music set in the galleries. This concert will begin with an introduction by Detroit-based artist Scott Hocking on his current exhibition followed by with three pieces of music connecting to his work performed by artists Shannon Orme (clarinet), Joe Becker (percussion), Zhihua Tang (piano), Sheryl Hwangbo (violin), and David LeDoux (cello). The evening’s program includes performances of Andy Akiho’s “Karakurenai” for open instrumentation, Osvaldo Golijov’s “Mariel” for Cello and Marimba, and Paul Moravec’s “Tempest Fantasy”.
TOGETHER WE SOUND FESTIVAL – AKROPOLIS REED QUINTET CONCERT @ WP
THURSDAY, JUNE 6TH, 7:00 PM
Join us for a special concert this summer by the award-winning Akropolis Reed Quintet, followed by Detroit experimental percussionist Zac Brunell performing works for amplified cactus by Steven Snowden and John Cage, and the world premiere of Steven Snowden’s new work, Sprocket. Sprocket joins the reed quintet with a rideable percussion bicycle designed and fabricated by Detroit resident and Kresge Arts Fellow, Juan Martinez, and performed on by local experimental percussionist, Zac Brunell.
SIGHT X SOUND – DSO PERFORMANCE @ WP
TUESDAY, MARCH 19TH, 7:00 PM
MARELA ZACARIAS + SARAH MEYOHAS – FILM SCREENING (3pm) + ARTIST TALK (4pm)
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10TH, 3:00 – 5;00 PM
ARTWORKS DETROIT – THE 23RD ANNUAL CHARITY ART AUCTION & FUNDRAISER
THURSDAY, SEPT 13 @ 6:00 PM
Wasserman Projects is honored to host this year’s 23rd annual Artworks Detroit benefit event on Thursday, September 13th at 6pm., presented by Matrix Human Services to raise funds for educating children, supporting families and rebuilding neighborhoods across Detroit. Join us for an exciting evening of live and silent auctions of donated artworks by renowned national and Detroit-area artists, delicious food from outstanding local restaurants, Live music, a fashion showcase curated by Walk Fashion Show, and much more!
ALCHEMICA – AUGMENTED REALITY EXPERIENCE EXHIBITION
THURSDAY + FRIDAY, SEPT 6 + 7
Wasserman Projects and The Consul of Italy Maria Manca invite you to a very special exhibition Sept. 6 & 7, 2018 presented in the context of the 2018 Giornata del Contemporaneo – Italian Contemporary Art and in collaboration with the Milan-based graphic agency Alkanoids. “Alchemica” will include 32 works developed with the technology of the augmented reality by a collective of Italian artists (illustrators, animators, sound designers). Presented for the first time in the United States, the exhibit will allow visitors to experience augmented reality through their cellphones starting from two-dimensional images.
MICHELE OKA DONER – ARTIST TALK + BOOK SIGNING
THURSDAY, MAY 3 @ 5:00 PM
Please join us in welcoming back Michele Oka Doner on Thursday, May 3rd at 5pm. Oka Doner will give an artist talk, providing first hand insight to the influences and development of her practice as well as how her time in Detroit shaped her work. We will also be unveiling a special publication produced on the occasion of Michele Oka Doner’s exhibition “Fluent in the Language of Dreams” which includes Detroit legend, Marsha Music as a contributor. Following the artist talk, Marsha Music will read “Ode to Oka D” the featured poem inspired by Michele Oka Doner and her work. Books will be available for purchase with the opportunity to have them signed by the artist at the event. This event is free and open to the public.
CLOSING RECEPTION + BENEFIT FOR DABLS AFRICAN BEAD MUSEUM
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16, 4:00 – 8:00 PM
DOLLHOUSE – MARSHA MUSIC & JOHN SINCLAIR WITH JEFF GRAND
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16 @ 7:00 PM
Wasserman Projects is pleased to present a poetry reading by Marsha Music that will take place within the current exhibition “Homemade Ice Cream”. Described as a “Primordial Detroiter” Marsha’s experience shows through in her acclaimed essays, poetry, and narratives about Detroit’s past and future. Marsha will perform a new work of poetry that is inspired by themes present in Homemade Ice Cream. Groundbreaking jazz poet, John Sinclair, will perform his spoken word accompanied by legendary Detroit bluesman Jeff Grand. This event is free and open to the public.
FERRANTE FEVER – ANN GOLDSTEIN
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27 @ 6:00 PM
PANEL DISCUSSION – JASON YATES / BRUCE HAINLEY / PATRICK HILL
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21 @ 5:00 PM
PENNY ARCADE – LONGING LASTS LONGER
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21 @ 7:00 PM
ALLEE WILLIS PERFORMANCE
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 @ 7:00 PM
CONCERT AT WALKABOUT FARM – JEREMY KITTEL
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 @ 7:00 PM
HAVE+HOLD – PANEL DISCUSSION
SATURDAY, AUGUST 26 @ 5:00 – 6:00 PM
Join Artists Shane Darwent + Sophie Eisner, Curator Alison Wong, and Moderator Trisha Holt for a panel discussion about the ongoing collaboration between Butter Projects + Wasserman Projects, the concept for Have+Hold, and development of selected works.
Closing Reception to follow from 6:00 – 8:00 PM. Free and open to the public.
TIME FOR THREE
JUNE 7 @ 7:00PM
Known for their unique style that blends elements of classical, country western, gypsy, and jazz, groundbreaking trio, Time for Three (Tf3) brings a high-energy performance to Wasserman Projects.
Nicolas Kendall, violin / Charles Yang, violin / Ranaan Meyer, double bass
Performance is presented in partnership with The League of American Orchestras, Park Avenue Artists, and Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Limited seating, reserve your ticket today.
THE TENT OF CASUALLY OBSERVED PHENOLOGIES
MARCH 24-25, 2017
AN EVENING WITH DAVID DICHIERA
MARCH 14, 2017 | 7:00 – 8:30 PM
Wasserman Projects and The Michigan Opera Theatre invite you to join composer David Dichiera for a live performance of selected original works to be featured on the Legacy Recording.
DiChiera founded Michigan Opera Theatre in 1971 with a mission to create a world-class opera company that served and represented the diverse community where it resided. His priorities included championing artists of color, mentoring the next generation of opera singers, and supporting Detroit’s revitalization. After many years of dedicated service to the opera theatre, DiChiera will now move on to become the MOT Artistic Director Emeritus.
Featuring Angela Theis (soprano), Briana Elyse Hunter (mezzo soprano), Yury Revich (violin), Aleksey Shadrin (cello), Ivan Moshchuk (piano).
In lieu of a ticketing fee, we invite you to contribute to the DiChiera Legacy Recording Fund at Michigan Opera Theatre.
REBECCA FOON
MARCH 2, 2017 | 7:00 – 10:00 PM
Wasserman Projects will host an intimate concert with performances by both Rebecca Foon and Jesse Paris Smith, Thursday March 2nd, 2017. This concert will take place in the gallery among the current exhibition “After Industry”.
Cellist and composer Rebecca Foon has been a fixture of the Montréal music community for two decades, since moving to the city from her native Vancouver in the late 1990s. She co-founded the Juno Awardwinning contemporary chamber group Esmerine in 2002 and was a core member of the celebrated cult post-punk band Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra from 2001-2008 and the experimental instrumental collective Set Fire To Flames. Foon is a dedicated climate activist, and her passion for climate justice is a focal point of A Common Truth, the artist’s upcoming solo album (to be released March 31, 2017). For more info about Saltland click here.
Jesse Paris Smith is a composer, instrumentalist, activist, producer, and co-founder of Pathway to Paris, a fundraising initiative and multi media event series focused on bringing awareness to climate change. She has performed globally in many configurations, collaborating with other musicians and artists, including Soundwalk Collective, Tenzin Choegyal, Tree Laboratory, Shyam Nepali, Raju Lamag, her brother Jackson Smith, and mother, Patti Smith. For more info about Jesse Paris Smith click here.
Doors at 7PM
Performance by Jesse Paris Smith 7:45
Performance by Rebecca Foon 8:15
CREATIVE MANY CRITICAL CONTEXT SUMMIT
JANUARY 26, 2017 | 6:00 – 9:00 PM
Wasserman Projects is pleased to host Creative Many’s Critical Context Summit. This event will engage local, national and international presenters in panel conversations focused on the relationships between artists and those representing, presenting, commissioning and contextualizing their work. Creative Many is a statewide organization that develops creative people, creative places and the creative economy for a competitive Michigan through research, advocacy, professional practice and communications.
KOEN VANMECHELEN TO SPEAK AT TEDxUofM CONFERENCE
FEBRUARY 8, 2017 | 6:00 – 9:00 PM
Koen Vanmechelen will be speaking at this year’s TEDxUofM event at the University of Michigan’s Power Center for the Performing Arts. The TEDxUofM conference showcases many of the most fascinating University-affiliated thinkers and doers for a stimulating day of presentations, entertainment, art, and discussion. This year’s theme of the conference “Dreamers and Disruptors”, unifies speakers of different disciplines to share their discoveries and ideas with the audience.
KOEN VANMECHELEN ARTIST TALK
NOVEMBER 5, 2016 | 3:00 – 4:00 PM
Join us for an artist talk with Koen Vanmechelen, whose recent exhibition Energy/Mass was featured in the New York Times. Koen Vanmechelen believes that art is a vital aspect of society and core to creating vibrant and healthy communities. His wide-ranging creative practice marries exceptional artistry, technological experimentation, and scientific research. Internationally renowned, Vanmechelen is best known from his ongoing Cosmopolitan Chicken Project (CCP), which he first launched in 1999 to explore cultural and biological diversity. A crossbreeding program-through which the artist breeds chickens from around the world-CCP fosters a dialogue on national identity and the interdependence of different cultures, species, and the environment.
EXCHANGE RATES FAIR: BUSHWICK, NY
OCTOBER 20-23, 2016 | 12:00 – 6:00 PM DAILY
Wasserman Projects artist, Michael Scoggins will be featured at Exchange Rates in collaboration with Butter Projects and their artists – Bridget Frances Quinn and Millee Tibbs. Exchange rates is an international exposition of artworks and curitorial programs in which host spaces in one art community open their doors and share their walls with visiting galleries. The exhibition space is located at ArtHelix 289 Meserole St. Brooklyn, NY 11206.
“NO LIMITS NO BOUNDARIES” BOOK RELEASE + RECEPTION
OCTOBER 15, 2016 | 5:00 – 8:00 PM
STRANGE BEAUTIFUL MUSIC 9 AT WASSERMAN PROJECTS
SEPTEMBER 17, 2016 | 2:00 – 10:00 PM
Wasserman Projects will host New Music Detroit’s annual contemporary music marathon. The avant-garde production features experimental and far-reaching sounds ranging from contemporary chamber music and European folk to experimental electronics and noise improvisation.
ESTHER SHALEV-GERZ ARTIST TALK
JUNE 18, 2016 | 3:00 – 4:00 PM
GREAT LAKES CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL: THE BRITISH CONNECTION
JUNE 17th, 2016 | 8:00 PM
ESTHER SHALEV-GERZ ARTIST TALK
APRIL 27, 2016 | 5:00 – 6:00 PM
Join us for an artist talk with Esther Shalev-Gerz sponsored by University of Michigan Stamps School of Art & Design.
In anticipation of her solo exhibition “Space Between Time” at Wasserman Projects in Detroit’s Eastern Market, Shalev-Gerz will speak about her work in photography, video, sound, and sculpture. Constantly inquiring into transitional qualities of time and space and the correlative transformation of identities, locales and (hi)stories Esther Shalev-Gerz has produced a body of work that simultaneously records, critiques, and contributes to our understandings of the societal roles and value of artistic practice. The works unfold histories and cultural identities by opening dialogues with people whose testimonies elaborate on portraits of their individual and collective memories, desires, opinions and experiences amidst the construction of time.
Wednesday, April 27, 2016, 5pm. Art & Architecture Bldg 2000 Bonisteel Blvd. Ann Arbor MI, 48109, Room #2104.
PANEL DISCUSSION: ART IN ACHITECTURE
FEBRUARY 26, 2016 | 7:30 – 10:00 PM
CREATIVE MANY MINI-SUMMIT: CRITICAL CONNECTIONS
JANUARY 28, 2016 | 6:00 – 9:00 PM
PERFORMANCE: THE KNIGHTS
DECEMBER 2, 2015 | 8:00 – 10:00 PM
PERFORMANCE: UNO NIX
NOVEMBER 19, 2015 | 8:00 – 10:00 PM
Jeffrey Sturges and Aaron Blendowski of Uno Nix, a collaborative group that creates tools and environments that are both created by and affect our many human inputs and outputs. At Wasserman Projects, for one night only, Uno Nix will present an immersive light and sound experience.
Doors at 8:00 / Performance at 8:30 / Open to the public with suggested donation
AIA DETROIT PANEL DISCUSSION: MILLENNIALS IN THE WORKPLACE
OCTOBER 27, 2015 | 5:30 – 8:00 PM
AIA Detroit’s Emerging Professionals Committee and Haworth will be hosting a collaborative panel event on how millennials are reshaping the workplace and altering the status quo. Join us at Wasserman Projects for a moderated discussion with both Millennials and Industry Veterans.
ELF WAVES PERFORMANCE
OCTOBER 15, 2015 | 6-8 PM
Please join us for an interactive, public concert event held inside Jon Brumit’s sonorous grain silo, “Elf Waves”. In addition to a live performance from Jon Brumit, guests are encouraged to engage with the work by bringing their ipods, mp3 players, or phones to plug into the silo.
ART DETROIT NOW FALL GALLERY CRAWL
OCTOBER 3, 2015 | 10AM – 7PM
Stop in during Art Detroit Now’s Fall Gallery Crawl Come to experience the exhibition and stay to indulge in sweets from Rocky’s and bubbles from Cost Plus Wine! Click for more participating venues.