Friday Eye Candy: The Antidote to Detroit 'Ruin Porn'

The new book "Detroit: The Dream Is Now" tells a story of revitalization and ambition, in the same city where far too many "ruin porn" photographers have tread.

1 minute read

May 5, 2017, 12:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Detroit, Michigan

The Spirit of Detroit statue, created by Marshall Fredericks and located at the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center in Detroit. | J Dennis / Shutterstock

Ashley Zlatopolsky shares news of the new book "Detroit: The Dream Is Now," by photographer Michael Arnaud.

"The book is positive and upbeat," writes Zlatopolsky. "While others were focusing on Detroit’s post-industrial decay and ruins, Arnaud decided to shine on a light on the city’s resurgence and growth."

The positive spin on the book is, in fact, the reason Arnaud got the greenlight for the three-year project from his publisher, Abrams. Instead of decaying city blocks and decrepit buildings, certain to be demolished, Arnaud's book surveys "a vibrant arts movement, a strong culinary culture, [and] a city with seemingly endless pockets of creativity to explore." The 272-page book focuses on the adaptice reuse of buildings throughout.

The article includes a sprinkling of the photos that populate the book, and a calendar of events in the Detroit area to promote the book's release.

Wednesday, April 26, 2017 in Detroit Free Press

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