This Egyptian woman at the Detroit Institute of Arts is 1,800 years old. Now just leave her alone, okay?
  • Courtesy of the Detroit Institute of the Arts
  • This Egyptian woman at the Detroit Institute of Arts is 1,800 years old. Now just leave her alone, okay?

Art blogs all over the country today are coming together for A Day for Detroit, spearheaded by Tyler Green of Modern Art Notes. All day, every hour, art bloggers will be posting new images from the Detroit Institute of Arts collection, which could be about to be scattered and privatized in what would be a historic and pointless short-term cash grab. Full list of participating blogs here.

I had mixed feelings about joining A Day for Detroit for three reasons: One, it's difficult not to feel that any focus on art plays into the right-wing agenda that art is relevant to the economic situation in Detroit—either as problem or solution. Art is a red herring. Art is always raised when money is tight and red herrings are in demand. I resent this.

Two, as I combed through the DIA collections for objects to feature, I couldn't help but have the sinking feeling that by posting them I'd potentially be enticing potential buyers. Making folks lick lips. Then again, those who buy at this level probably know exactly what's in the collection—and then again AGAIN, I'd rather these artworks be purchased by people with an expertise in these areas, instead of anybody who happens to have dough, a web connection, and an acquisitive jones.

But I would like to take this Day for Detroit opportunity to give you a way to certainly help the DIA: consider becoming a member. I did this. Will you join me? Let's send some support to Detroit in a form other than raiding it.