detroit contemporary presents an exhibition curated by Maxwell Davis: Functional Sculpture a group exhibition of unconventional furniture, creative ice, and dutiful art including works by local and national artists The Exhibition Functional Sculpture will take place from February 8th through March 23, 2003, with an opening reception on Saturday February 8th from 6pm-10pm. The focus of this exhibition is to explore the relationship between utility and concept. Utilitarian objects are important because they accomplish a job for us. Sculptural objects are important because they convey information that is important to us. This exhibition attempts to take the attitude of a sculptor and with aesthetics, make the sculpture have utility and function. The objects used to present this approach include: tables, chairs, lamps, shelves, jewelry, and other mediums. Roughly 30 artists, mainly from the Detroit area, will be pushing the envelope and exhibiting works. Opening night there will be a presentation of food as art and outside in the courtyard there will be a large-scale ice carving demonstration. Local dj Chris McCullen will be spinning tunes throughout the evening. Participating Artists Claudia Amato, Janeen Azarovitz, Arron Blendowski, Sony Bolis, Tom Carbone, Maxwell Davis, Todd Erickson, Mark Esse, Sean Evans, Ellen Firestone, Erin Gross, Greg Hanson, Jon Hosford, Chad Jensen, Laith Karmo, Brianna Kenyan, Jeremy Levitt, Paul Martius, Bryce Moore, Gary Murphy, Tom Phardel, Chris Rutherford, David Sabbagh, Riva Sayegh, Autumn Seguin, Treg Silkwood, Terry Soave, Jesse Stephanie, Scott Strickstien, Veleta Vancza and Kyle Watson. The Curator A professor at the College for Creative Studies since 1973, Maxwell Davis is also a professional artist, lecturer, and art consultant. Some of his lectures have included: Radical Methods of Furniture Design, Chairs As Art (DIA), Creative Concepts For Artists, Basic Design And The Creative Process, and Ancient Glass Techniques. He also is co-founder of the Alfred St Studio (1980), an artists' cooperative, and co-founder and operator of the Art Front Art Gallery (1981-1995) in Lexington, MI. The Gallery This six-week art exhibition runs from Saturday, February 8th through Sunday, March 23, 2003 with an opening reception to meet the artists on Saturday, Feb. 8th, from 6pm to 10pm. detroit contemporary is located in the Woodbridge Historic District at 5141 Rosa Parks Blvd. This is two blocks north of Warren Avenue, two blocks south of the I94 expressway, three blocks west of Trumbull. You may contact detroit contemporary by phone at 313.898.4ART or via electronic mail at info@detroitcontemporary.com. This event is free and open to the public. Free on the street parking available. Photos/Slides Available