A New Beginning...

Good Afternoon friends,

To the whole world, this situation, the fire, is only a new beginning for me. I understand that in the real world you must put on the whole armor God (Yahweh) and today all I know at this point is, I won't quit or stop! What is art today in the vortex of what we don't understand or the unknown of what we think we know? Socrates said one thing I know for sure, “I know nothing.” I woke up today with a greater desire to carry on. Tomorrow will take care of itself. The Heidelberg Project is a medicine for the soul and a beacon for the weary at heart. Keep your eyes open and know that the best is yet to come. I walk by faith and I trust the power that is in me to do the Impossible.

The Darkness

A spell is over the city but the people are in it for the long haul. The everyday ordinary people here are taking quantum leaps of faith, holding on to what they have for now and making the best out of the worst of today. 

Today, Detroit is a city of under one million people and a emergency manager had to be called in with the hope of fixing the problems. Many of us still live in fear paralyzed by racism. One thing is sure, the arts are playing a very important part in helping to transform the city into a city of art and color; Art on the eastside and westside where there are no lights. Houses are being transformed into works of art right in front us as we try to make sense out of this phenomenon of art becoming a medicine, even in the darkness of our consciousness. 

As I drive around at night, I see the ghost of the past and hear the voices of those who were once part of this city. The darkness is thick. How do you train yourself to see the light when there's so much darkness in the minds of many here in the D? The real light is in the people with a thirst for truth and knowledge of self. God help us to see the light even in your darkness here in the hood.

In the Spirit of Tyree Tuesday: A Q & A with Tyree Guyton

Jan Morgan Niekamp: I want to say thank you, because when I came across the hp, I was sad, and you made me smile because of your art. How long have you been doing art since a kid?

        Hi Jan. I've been working on the HP for 27 years—and I am only 26. My grandfather inspired me and gave me a paintbrush at the age of nine. Since that time I knew I wanted to be an artist.




Ken Marzorati: Love you Tyree! Quick art question: what's your favorite medium to work with?

        Hey Ken, I love it all. I don’t really have a favorite medium—I need and love it all!!




Erika Lea: How many countries have you visited to talk about or make art?

        Hello Lea, I have visited about 14 countries to speak and/or create artwork. But more importantly, I have had over 140 countries to visit the Heidelberg Project in hopes of learning more about the art.

The Movement

Yes, there is an art movement going on here in the city and the million dollar question I continue to ask myself is, what is art today? People are flocking here from all over the world to experience this energy from a city that most have given up on. How do you define beauty in the NOW of what we don't understand? 

The city is like a war zone in some parts, and at times, it appears that the world is coming to an end. Where do we run to now and can we fix the so-called problems by changing an infrastructure that has been broken for many years? The movement has been going on for years here in this city and around the world too. What's remarkable is you can't hide from what's coming and that is change. Change is needed!

I believe the best is yet to come now! We can learn from the past if we open our minds to the present. Nothing is over until it's over. Then when it's over, over is only a new beginning to what’s possible today. The movement that is present right now is indeed an art movement. Art is popping up all over the city and I personally welcome this new way of transforming Detroit back to life.

tyree

In The Spirit of Tyree Tuesday: A Q&A with Tyree

Nick Mayner: Mr. Guyton, thank you for art and the inspiration you have given to many. Have you ever felt that if your artistic abilities are not excellent, that people wouldn't accept your work as art and do you have any advice for anyone feeling that way? Thank You.

     Hi Nick. Early in my career I had feelings like you describe. However, it’s important that you believe that your work is great to you and that you believe in what you’re doing. You can‘t trust the world because the world will tell you that you are great today and tomorrow you are not great. Trust you, only then is it good for the world.

Lisa Hathaway: What originally inspired you to start HP?

     Hello Lisa. It was a vision from God. I was chosen to do this.

Mark Sweetman: Do you ever have performance art at the HP?

     Hey Mark, yes we do have performances all the time. Would you like to come and perform for the public?

Home

I came home on the 25th  of September and I'm so glad to be back in the city. It's hard to believe that I was gone for a year. I truly missed this city and the energy of all wonderful people here in the big - D. During my time abroad, I thought a lot about the city and the challenge to push myself to the outer limits of my imagination here in Basel. My work here at home has prepared me for the world and Switzerland helped me to see the greatness of Yahweh in nature.

I left on the18th of September for my opening in Bern Switzerland. The title of this exhibition is, Two Countries, Two Cities, One Spirit. Everything is connected to spirit Law from my estimation. Switzerland is a different country and the culture is what is so dissimilar but art is universal and so is God, if you believe.

As I leave, take care all you wild ass folks here in the - D. Stay in trouble please and let's transform our City into a work of art that shows what we are made of here.

Leaving

All week I've been running around like a chicken with no head because I'm getting ready to go home. Time went by so fast and it's hard to believe that my residency is coming to an end. I came here afraid - nervous and not sure about any of it at first, but time settled me into place. I see the importance of me coming here now. I was reborn. This was a mental medicine and very therapeutic in terns of me being exposed to European artists and philosophers of the past.


Two weeks ago, Jenenne and I went to visit our friends in Stuttgart, Germany. Klaus and Cathrin live in the
mountains of Stuttgart where there are lots wine vineyards and it was like being on top of the world looking down at the city of Stuttgart. What a view! They fixed a birthday dinner for myself and Jenenne, who was also celebrating her birthday. We stayed the night there. I personally love the artwork that was in our bedroom, painted on the walls.


We turned in early because we had a big day planned for tomorrow plus a special surprise in store for us.
I rose early. I'm more or less an early bird. I like the morning sky. We had breakfast and then we were on our way headed for the autobahn. Klaus drove and I rode shotgun. On the way, to my "BIG" surprise, we made one stop, to check out a folk art museum. The work at the museum was great and it reminded me of grandpa Mackey's artwork. My "BIG" surprise was having Klaus and Cathrin and a friend of theirs take Jenenne and myself to Heidelberg, Germany!

Heidelberg is a college town and students come from all over the world to attend school there. We had lunch
on one of the Heidelberg boats and after lunch we strolled up and down the city streets. The grand finale was taking the cable car to the top of the mountain. And there it was, the Heidelberg castle. Big, powerful, a fortress of the past. It was a city in itself.


The castle was built in 1271 and still stands today as a tourist attraction. It was damaged twice by lightening storms and partly destroyed during the France war. This was a wonderful birthday present, to go back in time and see this magnificent artwork on top of a hill over-looking the city. The Heidelberg castle lives on, on top of that mountain and the Heidelberg Project lives on and on, on Heidelberg street.

Winding Down....

Every morning I wake up to create and if I die tomorrow, let me die creating what I love. That's art. 

The train ride from Basel to Bern is very therapeutic for me. I'm Like Socrates-I know nothing
and all is at hand. The language is different here but the words are the same, like back in Detroit. My time here is coming to an end and already I'm starting to miss this place. I love it here! I just heard the church bells and it's 7:00pm here with a beautiful sky. It feels like I've been gone for years. I've become accustomed to the life-style here: people riding their bikes and little old ladies all dressed up just to go to the store on the trams. My house keeper, Denise who cleans the house Mondays and Fridays, I will truly miss her along with her German lessons.

The public transportation system I've got down to a science. I will miss the fact that everything is on time for the most part. It's the way of life here, being on time. The neighbor next door is our physician, so if Danh or I get sick, we just go next door. I also ended my membership at the gym this week and started packing up. Getting ready to come home to the goddamn - D!!!! I've been here a year and the time has just gone by so fast it's hard to believe it. I stayed busy most of the time and met a lot of wonderful people. I went to parties and.... sometimes drank too much. I love the Jazz at Bird's Eye Jazz club.

I will never forget this momentous experience that open my eyes to see the glory of God here. The beauteous black birds outside my window in the morning. Danh and those wild bodacious parties he throws here at the house...I have had so much fun here.

As I conclude, my life will never be the same all because I know now I can do anything If I put
my mind to it, like coming to Basel, Switzerland for a year.

The Open House aftermath.....

The open house opening was a big hit and people came to check it out. This work is about 25 years of experience and that now I understand that this is my purpose in life, to create art. I feel renewed and excited about the possibilities that await me now and there is no turning back at this point in my life. One writer said my art was religious art and people here had a lot of questions about the messages and my shoe concept. My answer to the people was, "I'm making it up." I create what I feel and see with my third eye of wisdom from God.
                                                                     Open House Images

So what is art today for me: it's the open house project here now and whatever tomorrow brings my way. I'm having so much fun and if the world came to end tomorrow, I'd have zero regrets. Life has been good to me. My grandfather was and is a part of the open house research project here in Basel Switzerland. It was truly an honor to have grandpa be part of this special occasion, the two of us again. I made a promise to my grandfather that I would share his art with the world; this is only the beginning!

I would like to thank Jenenne, my lovely wife, and Dan Hoops for coming out for the opening. We had a great time!

                                     Dan Hoops, Jenenne Whitfield, Tyree Guyton, John Sutton

                                                     Jenenne Whitfield and Debbie Sutton


I love the fact of being here but can't wait to return home so I can polka dot the whole city now. I've been practicing for that moment. So get ready city!

Open House

Time is just ticking away like never before and the open house is this week. I'm so excited and proud of myself. This journey has changed my life from the inside out and has freed me to go beyond my own expectations.

Twenty five years has prepared me for this moment, knowing now that my paint
brush is my magic wand and I can create magic with it. This momentous body of works here in Basel is based on philosophy and my own experiences of creating the Heidelberg Project, an outdoor museum in a neighborhood.

Photos of the Heidelberg Project will be part of the open house here too. Art, life and the unknown, but known through faith, has been another piece to this puzzle. Now after this experience of being challenged beyond my imagination by coming here to Basel, the world is my canvas and there is nothing to fear but fear
itself.

Then there is the print show in October, which will consist of a new body of prints that I'm currently working on during my time here in Europe as well. This work is also about research based on how everything is connected to everything. This project here in Basel switzerland took the girl out of me and now I can polka dot the sky if I choose to do so.

If I die tomorrow, I have no regrets at this time. I was on the train going to Bern to meet with Tom Blaess and saw the Swiss Alps from my window seat. What a site! Just incredible! And all I could think of was the puissant awesome power of Yahweh and the artistry of those incredible mountains he or she made.

When I started the project twenty five years ago, and I'm 26 myself, I saw the magic in chaos and the blight and broken that was present at that time in my city. What is art today? Well, it's the "could" formation I see here in the sky and the chaos that existed in the city of Detroit where I live. I came here and heard the voice of my creator who are the artists of this universe and who created me in his or her likeness. I'm ready to show my Swiss audiences what I believe art to be for myself today coming from the "D" where we break rules every day for the sake of art and new possibilities in art. Yes, God is a woman with red hair and 2+2= 8 and art is what you believe it to be and there is no limit when it comes to the imagination and understanding the spirit of creativity that's in all of us. Yes, I'm having an open house here and you are invited, but don't be mad at me if you see where I broke the rules here too. 

God made me do it.   

Open House

Things are coming along! I'm getting ready for my open house on 16 August 2012. I've been very busy here working on my own artistry and reading philosophy books, spending a lot of time in the studio too, constantly asking myself what is art today. This is a very complex question in the vernacular of what's being said and how it's being produced in the art world today. What I know now for myself at this point is that there are no boundaries or limits to the game of art, not today and probably never again. I'm extremely excited and having fun at the same time as I explore what's possible in the world of my own art today: 

2+2 = 8 and God, yes God, is a woman. 

The work I'm doing during my time here is based on Heidelbergology and that of other philosophers in Europe at the moment. I came here not sure about anything but today I feel the power to create and nothing is safe in my presence. I accidentally polka dotted my studio floor and just found out that the floor is off limits...oops! Art is everything seen and unseen and it's OK to break the so called rules of the past because tomorrow is a new cave to explore. 

My housemate can cook his little ass off. Is this art too?  Everyday God paint's his or her sky in a meticulous way that is breathtaking here in Basel. It's a world that is abstract and surreal in action and deeds. How do you explain God's art? I can't stop creating here. I'm up early because my spirit  is touched to create. Plato said spirit is why we do what we and Dr, Kinley (philosopher) went on to explain it in a way where I see how nothing escapes the pattern of the universe.Yes, this new work is new in one sense but then there is nothing new under the sun. New becomes old and old becomes new again. That's the artistry of God-old to new and new to old. Everything is art and what I do is use the art that's already here to create more art. That's the way to eternal life; through art.

The Old Masters

I saw the old masters were back in town again at the Detroit Institute of Art. I'm over here in Switzerland and heard about this exhibition coming to the - D. I recently visited one of the museums here and saw Picasso and Matisse at a Jeff Koon opening at the Beyeler museum here in Basel. The reason I'm writing this particular blog is because I'm trying to understand this circle and why the same artists seem to take precedence over the art world. This machine or circle, not sure what to call it, but it's big because I see the affects of it here too. What makes the oeuvre of these artists like Picasso and Matisse so so valuable and the public or certain classes of people can't seem to get enough of them. Why? Are they just as important as the Messiah or perhaps the Pope. I'm not trying be facetious here, not at all, believe me. I just want to understand these systems. As I travel around here in Europe and USA, it's the same circle of artists that I see at your major institutions and the same ditto of people attending the museums and upper class events concerning the arts on the high end. 

What is art today? It's a game where money plays a big part in this equation and creating a movement alone with the right propaganda to go with the philosophy is also part of it too. Time and history is an intricate part to this world of the old masters and the business of art today and why it's still relevant even now. Is it being in the right circle or place? Knowing the right people or perhaps doing something bizarre like cutting off your Der schnuffler and sticking it on a painting ( Van Gogh cut his ear off )? Now that will get you some attention for a while but it won't make you a master with staying power in this circle of the old masters of the past. I understand that it goes way back to the ancient Greek days and farther than that even and that the past is very sufficient to the present. But for how long is my question. 

Religion is a whole other subject but with a similar foundation. Organized religion has been projected and portrayed in the world and all over the globe, so have the old masters. The origin of religion dates back to the roman emperor and so does art. In the vernacular of the past and present of how it all came to be what it is today, it has everything to do with location, power and wealth. As I conclude here, it's starting to make sense. I need to go back into deep time, way, way back to the beginning of time itself. 

July 19 - 2012

$120,000,000

The value of some art is just unbelievable and astronomical in price. Why is that? Some art is more important than human beings and people will steal and literally kill for it. What do you do with a $120,000,000 million  painting? Can it walk or talk? I'm curious to know the thought process behind the person or persons that would spend that kind of money for a work of art. You have some art which is priceless. What do you mean by priceless? Who determines that or how is that done and by what authority? I would like know. The Scream by Norwegian artist Edvard Munch, was sold for a record price of a $120,000,000 big ones. How do you insure a work of art like that? Do you keep it in a safe and how do you protect it out of harms way? What is art today and if a work of art cost $100,000,000 million or more, why? What are we buying it for really and does it become something other than art? Is it about money along with fame, prestige or politics? Maybe all of the above. Some art has become a big business, a weapon of mask destruction, that's controlled by a certain class of people. $120,000,000 million for a work of art! Can it do tricks or is it the subject matter that makes it so valuable?

I came here to Basel to learn and ask questions, to draw my own conclusions about the art world and continue to ask questions. So what is art today and will it change tomorrow? Don't know. I'm ready to share with the world one of my new works I've created here and the price tag is a $100,000,000 million called  scream loud bitch, A $100,000,000,000 .

Do you think Sotheby's or Christie's auction house might have an interest in auctioning off the piece for me? What do you think?

Jeff Koons

What I saw of Jeff Koons' art works at the Beyeler was exciting, funny and truly a subject for conversation. I also felt that here is a person doing what makes him happy and at the same time making it his art for the world to see. I find art to be just like life and what I mean by this statement is life is full of surprises. It's a whimsical journey at times with no end. Jeff Koons' art works were large in scale and colorful. Some of the works appeared to have been airbrushed or polished to give a very sleek like finish. 

Overall, I give the show a 7 on a scale from 1-10. I'm not an art critic and don't pretend to know it all but I like the rawness and richness of that funky shit we do back home in the - D. The very large bloom-like pieces were on the money. Childlike in character, playful in a dream-like way, magical to the eyes and breath-taking. The show is bold in strength and done with class but what is art today? From what I saw at this show, I don't need to go back and see it again, one time did it for me. Right on!

Art Basel

The weather was blissfully hot and very uncomfortable, but we did it, we went to Art Basel. I learned from my contacts here that it's the largest art fair in the world and very lucrative. If I never go to another art fair, this one took me to the pinnacle of all art fairs I've attended over the years. It was wonderful to have my wife here and friends from the USA to share this experience with. So many people are here at Art Basel and it is just unbelievable. It's all for the sole purpose of art, good and bad.

Jenenne and I had special tickets to one of the V.I.P. parties. All I can say and will say is, it was great and I had a wonderful time looking at art and socializing with the world. My mind is just flooded with thoughts and there is so much art out here. I'm just overwhelmed with what I'm seeing and learning about this, the business of art. Art Basel came and did what it needed to do and now the city is returning to business as usual. Next year is a year away and I'm pretty sure that Art Basel will return after 43 years in the business again and again because there is no stopping the Ingenuity and Creativity of artists at Art Basel.

2012 Art Basel

The energy is high here and the city is getting ready for Art Basel. I can't wait to check it out for myself. I have heard about it for many years, but now I can see it in person for myself. People are coming in from all over the world to see and be part of it. What I know about it thus far is that it is an art fair that happens every year around the month of June and people would literally die to be a part of it. We went this past Tuesday, Jenenne and myself, but it was only a sojourn visit because of our tickets and the time issue. We'll be back on Thursday with Tom and Kathleen and the other Tom from Bern Switzerland, which is an hour train ride to Basel.

Art Basel is massive in size and art and people are here from every where! You have all kinds of folks here. There is no shortage of characters and people who are art themselves. I'm just flabbergasted and in awe at the energy that's here at this event. The works of the old masters and up and coming artists. What a world! Art at it's best and worst is shown here.

John Chamberlain who died not that long ago stole the show. His works were everywhere. Chamberlain who is best known for his sculpture work that consists of car parts, really made me think and ponder over the fact that art can be anything and everything all at the same time.

What is art today? Well for me here at Art Basel it would be safe to say, It Is Every Thing; the art, the people, all of it. The art that was on the walls was exquisite, beautiful, made by local and international artists. Then there was the art of God which was some of the people and yet all of the people, who were living art themselves and words can not explain what I saw. Both were present here at the show. Everything is art, even the people in some cars. What a show Art Basel 2012!

Busy

Busy and I'm loving every moment of it! My research work is coming along and the shoe installation is taking on shape and character at this point. I wake up every morning listening to those beautiful birds chirping outside in the tree by my bedroom window. That's my alarm clock, those birds chirping in the morning for me to get up. I'm using the shoe as a manifold to prove a point and we all wear them. I believe there are not any differences when it comes to people, circumstances and behavior because of what's in all us, a soul and a desire to be. 

What I have witnessed in Basel are people being people, just like in the D. I see people out here wearing red shoes and dress shoes, short and tall folks and they come in all shapes and sizes. I have witnessed folks wearing cowboy boots and all kinds of funky shoes and young folks sporting Converse gym shoes. On Sundays, I see people attending church and they LIKE to look good here in their Attire. I have gone myself and took time out to polish and shine my shoes. That's part of my personality just like the people here in Basel who make time to polish their shoes. Socrates said he wore no shoes because it was his way of showing us that for him less was better. 

The whole entire week has been just wonderful in terms of possibilities. Today, what a surprise! On my way to the studio there was a single house slipper in the street waiting on me and all I could say was, thank you Socrates for this shoe that will end up in my shoe project here. Hallelujah!

Shoes and Shoes

I received a box of shoes on Tuesday from the USA. I'm just thrilled and the piece is coming together now. The shoes I received came from the Libra art gallery, which is located on the east side of town in Detroit. I did a show there about twenty years ago and the owner was able to find some of those old shoes from that show. My commitment is to my own city first, but I see the importance of building bridges to the moon and this project is my way of promoting the greatness of who we are through the arts in the D. 

Shoes, the souls, and universal law. Where are we going in this life and if shoes could talk, what would they say about us as people, here in this world. I'm personally looking for something deeper in this life. My work is my own medicine and everyday here I'm getting stronger in the faith. I was in town and there was a pair of shoes believe it or not, with a note inside of them just sitting there waiting for me on a bench. It was a close encounter of the third kind. It was magic! 

Shoes of all colors and sizes. Shoes with holes in the souls of them. Shoes voyaging this incredible journey called life. Shoes of hope and the ones we wear everyday as we commute from here to there. Today, at this very moment, I'm out looking for magic shoes, dancing shoes, shoes that could fly me into space and through time, past the milky way, 25 Trillion miles out! Do you know where there are shoes because I'm looking for them! 

A call for your shoes

This was a very exciting week and shoes are starting to come in on this end for the project. I've started to assemble the shoes here in my studio. This installation will serve as one of my visuals for an independent dissertation project. I, with the help of Maggie who lives here, went around the city talking to some of the secondhand businesses and stores concerning the shoes project. The response here has been great and folks here are just thrilled to help out if they can! I see it, feel it and taste it: Two Countries Two Cities one spirit. This is my way of using my art to show how everything is connected and there is no difference when it comes to human beings here in this abstract world. 

Once again, I'm calling for YOUR shoes. Big shoes, old shoes, blue shoes, leather shoes, your grandmothers shoes, happy shoes, shoes with no strings, and yes, holy shoes! I'm using the shoes to talk about spirit law in this installation. Everything I believe is connected to a universal energy that is in all of us, so I need your souls. I need your shoes! 

Two Countries, Two Cities, One Spirit

To the people of my wonderful city!! I would like to invite you to participate in my next project here in Basel, Switzerland. I would love to have YOUR shoes be part of my new installation piece here in the city of Basel.

The piece is called, Eurythmy of Soul, based on the philosophy of Rudolf Steiner. Having shoes to come from the city of Detroit will truly be the highlight of this piece. I'm using art to build relationships and to show how everything is connected through spirit law. So today, I'm reaching out to my Friends in the D, supporters and people who like or love what I do to send me your shoes. I'm calling for shoes!

P.S. 

The address is: 

Tyree Guyton

Eulerstrasse 25 

4051 Basel 

Switzerland