Once regarded as the automotive capital of the world, and still struggling valiantly to hold onto that title, the city of Detroit has seen a steady economic decline over the last several decades. A rich and vibrant past made possible by a successful automotive industry, once spurred growth to rival the largest cities in the world. But since that growth has slowed, stopped and, inevitably, reversed—the remaining symbols of a once great empire are slowly decaying and returning to the earth. Left behind are the empty husks of the monuments to man’s mechanized ingenuity. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.
Arising from these ashes is a vibrant and flourishing graffiti and street art community. A crumbling brick wall is now more than an eyesore and a safety hazard—it’s a canvas, whetting the appetite of artistic possibility. Abandoned warehouses have become ever-changing, unconventional urban art galleries. The blight and decay plaguing the Motor City is being transformed into beauty and vitality. These buildings are being given a second chance. As Detroit begins to pick up the pieces of its broken pride, Pieces of Detroit brings to light to the pride that never faltered.