Urban Village: The Game

"Playing Stephen Schudlich's "Urban Village" game at Wayne State's Elaine L. Jacob Gallery calls to mind a first-season skit from Kids in the Hall, where editors William and Wonter, while walking around town, get overzealous and begin bowdlerizing their environment:

"How do you feel about that mailbox?"

"Hmm, too red."

"Lose it!"

"Feelings about the paper box?"

"Eh, like the box, hate the headlines. Lose the news!"

"Nice looking couple. I like the girl."

"Mmmm ... hate the guy."

"Strike him!"

For less absurd reasons, that's totally a game a lot of Detroiters have played while cruising the city: Where would you "relocate" a $5 prostitute? If you could, would you shut down Mickey Ds? Would you put a couple of liquor stores out of business on a street with no market? Would your choices strengthen the neighborhood or squander its vital resources?"