designboom_an interior of charred wood, molten glass, and black ceramics characterizes the site-specific installation by danish artist anders ruhwald, soon to be on view at the upcoming detroit art week. entitled ‘unit 1: 3583 dubois,’ the work fills a 1,700 square foot apartment to recall the domestic space at 3585 dubois street in detroit — an address which no longer exists. while the building’s exterior is visually consistent with its neighbors, the dismal interior has been transformed to suggest that it had been raged by a great fire.

the installation by anders ruhwald embraces the transformative qualities of fire as being both destructive and constructive within a domestic and intimate context. the artist generates an environment in which visitors might contemplate the visual and tangible effects of fire while considering its ramifications within the domestic space.

to navigate the installation suggests the experience of a surreal cave, where both the space and the objects inside are simultaneously recognizable and strange. dismally familiar, the installation implies a tragic and foregone event which has left in its wake a solemn memory and spatial artifact.

the second edition of detroit art week — running july 17 – 21, 2019 — has expanded to include five days of programming. the citywide celebration of contemporary art and culture invites visitors and residents to attend any of the 35 exhibition openings, 16 studio visits, 10 performances, 10 panel discussions, and 8 special programs. the event is set to feature more than 150 artists and community members, is open to the public, and includes both free and ticketed events.

‘unit 1: 3583 dubois’ is held at anders ruhwald’s studio — 3583 dubois, detroit — where the artist will host 30-minute visits on july 18 from 7 – 9pm.