Click here to read, “A Visual History of Michigan’s Outsize Influence on American Modernism” by Mark Byrnes.

Photographer Alec Soth spoke with Cynthia Canty, host of Michigan Radio’s “Stateside,” about his travels across the state of Michigan as part of his current exhibition “From Here to There: Alec Soth’s America,” currently on display at Cranbrook Art Museum through March 30. Listen to the podcast here.

The Detroit Free Press takes a look at metro Detroit’s art exhibitions to go see this holiday season. Of the current Alec Soth exhibition at Cranbrook Art Museum, writer Mark Stryker says, “It’s a diverse and impressive body of work, including a printed newspaper that meditates on themes of community, and it’s a good example of the savvy kinds of collaboration that Cranbrook facilitates between leading artists and the next generation.” For the full story, click here.

Image: Alec Soth
Peter’s Houseboat, Winona, Minnesota, 2002. Chromogenic print.
Photograph © Alec Soth.

Alec Soth, "Kym, Polish Palace, Minneapolis, Minnesota"

The Huffington Post, Detroit takes a look at Cranbrook Art Museum’s new exhibitions by Alec Soth and Soo Sunny Park, detailing how the two artists document place and transform space, with work that captures individualized moments of the American landscape and experience. For the full story, click here.

This month’s edition of Contract magazine profiles the current exhibition “George Nelson: Architect / Writer / Designer / Teacher,” on view through October 14 at Cranbrook Art Museum. Museum Director Greg Wittkopp discusses how the exhibition was a perfect fit for Cranbrook. “People come to Cranbrook to see this exhibit, and it just feels at home here,” he said. To read the full story, click here. To view a virtual edition of the magazine, visit here.

Photography by James Haefner, courtesy of the SmithGroup.

The innovative new lighting system on display at the renovated Cranbrook Art Museum is praised as a restoration of Eliel Saarinen’s original vision for the space in the June issue of Architectural Lighting magazine. The SmithGroupJJR oversaw the project, referencing Saarinen’s blueprints and construction documents to install lighting in the coffered ceilings that is in line with Saarinen’s original design to make the ceiling seem “lit from within.” SmithGroupJJR installed flexible, state-of-the art LED lighting, keeping with Saarinen’s tradition of showcasing a lighting system ahead of its time. For more information, click here.

Art21, the group responsible for producing the Peabody-winning PBS series “Art:21 – Art in the Twenty-First Century,” recently featured the contributions of the Cranbrook Art Museum and the Detroit Institute of Arts in the blog post, “The Anchor Art Museums in and of Detroit.” The pioneering work of 2D Artist-in-Residence Elliot Earls is lauded, along with the accessibility of the museum’s collection after the recent expansion and renovation. Cranbrook’s new leadership and its commitment to our cultural heritage is also highlighted as the region prepares for the future. Click here for the article.

George Nelson, Sideboard, 1946. Photo: Vitra Design Museum Archive

The Detroit News explores the interesting story behind George Nelson’s journey from architect and journalist to iconic American designer. The vision of the Herman Miller Furniture Company and the talents of Nelson ultimately changed design as we know it. “George Nelson: Architect / Writer / Designer / Teacher” makes it’s final stop at Cranbrook through October 14 as part of its American tour. Click here to read the article in the Homestyle section of the Detroit news.

The Insider section of the latest Hour Detroit magazine spotlights the current exhibition “George Nelson: Architect / Writer / Designer / Teacher,” on view through October 13 at Cranbrook Art Museum. Posing the scenario of relaxing in a “mid-century coconut chair and reading under a bubble lamp” the article thanks Nelson for being the “Mod Man” behind it all.

Cranbrook’s iconic Orpheus Fountain is also featured within the City Guide section of this edition, which focuses on the grand fountains of the region. Designed by Swedish sculptor Carl Milles in 1937 the fountain is located in front of the peristyle of Cranbrook Art Museum. Based on the mythological Greek figure of Orpheus, the work depicts eight bronze figures, one of whom represents Beethoven, reacting in various ways to Orpeheus’ mesmerizing music.

To plan a visit to see both of these treasures at Cranbrook Art Museum, or to learn more about the sculptures on campus during a new weekly walking tour, click here.