2005 NAIAS: Detroit-Windsor CarTunes on Parade Public Art Exhibit Premieres at Auto Show

DETROIT, Jan. 4, 2005 -- At this year's North American International Auto Show, two distinctively-designed car-shaped sculptures will herald the arrival of a one-of-a-kind fleet of cars and provide a media and public preview of the CarTunes on Parade public art exhibit in Downtown Detroit and Windsor from June through September 2005. Detroit-based designer Dominic Pangborn and Windsor's Ed Bernard will show their colorful, creative car sculptures at a CarTunes display in the Cobo Center Concourse on Washington Blvd. from Jan. 9-23.

CarTunes on Parade is the first international public art exhibit of its kind celebrating the region's passion and history for cars and music. These 150 sculptures don't consume fuel or carry passengers, but they're bound to attract attention. Approximately 110 sculptures will be exhibited in Detroit, and 40 in Windsor. More than 60 CarTunes on Parade sculptures are sponsored, but more sponsors are needed. Sponsorship information will be available at the auto show. CarTunes on Parade merchandise, designed by Pangborn and Bernard, will be available inside Cobo Arena from Jan. 15-23.

The Exhibit

CarTunes on Parade is modeled on the success of similar displays in Europe and North America and is designed to add color, whimsy and fun to public spaces; celebrate local artists; provide an educational component; and draw tourists. The sculptures will be displayed along the riverfront in Detroit and Windsor as well as in Detroit's cultural center, Midtown and Foxtown areas. The colorful, creative sculptures measure seven feet long by four feet tall and three and a half feet wide. Photos of all CarTunes models submitted for display will be on view at the Auto Show.

Education Outreach

CarTunes on Parade offers an art education opportunity to Detroit and Windsor public school students from kindergarten through to grade 12, and more than 13 schools are participating. The program provides teachers a detailed curriculum guide using a CarTunes 3-D prototype and combines automotive history, manufacturing, technology and skilled trades. Several students created CarTunes on Parade sculptures, which will be part of the exhibit if their sculptures are sponsored.

Auction

Following the free public display of the CarTunes on Parade, the sculptures will be auctioned. Proceeds from the Detroit sculptures will support YMCA of Metro Detroit Y-Arts program, the artists and a charity of the artist's choice. Proceeds from the Canadian sculptures will be divided between the Windsor Endowment for the Arts (WEA), the artists and one of five Windsor arts or cultural institutions.