With much respect,

Hiwatha Greene-Janvier
Community Relations
USCIS Detroit District
313.926.4211 (office)
hiwatha.greenejanvier @dhs.gov
http://www.uscis.gov

With a goal of “Building Communities through Public Art”, The Sauvé Art Foundation is pleased to present, ”Cityscapes” the Documentary, at the Detroit Institute of Arts.

DETROIT, MI., May 19, 2010 – The Sauvé Art Foundation is proud to announce the world premiere of “Cityscapes” a documentary providing insight into the making of the Cityscapes public sculpture exhibit located in Birmingham, Michigan. This film is sure to touch the hearts of all viewers, including the millions of Americans who suffer from a lack of Public Art. The premiere will take place on Friday, June 18, 2010 at 7:00 P.M. in the Lecture Hall of the Detroit Institute of Arts.

“Cityscapes” traces the paths of the artists, as they install their sculpture and find happiness, while learning the meaning of inner strength,” said film director Lindsey Root. “It is a film about building hope, and it speaks to anyone who has ever been confronted with a seemingly impossible challenge.”

“This film is an opportunity for the general public to get an intimate look at the human story behind the making of the “Cityscapes” exhibit,” said Dr. Robert Takla
Board member of the Sauvé Art Foundation “I feel strongly ‘Cityscapes’ will inspire others to realize that they can overcome significant challenges and live productive lives.”

The Sauvé Art Foundation will be dedicating the Birmingham Cityscapes Sculpture Exhibit at the June 18, 2010 event, featuring a “Cityscapes film and a Cityscapes presentation by Past Mayor of the City of Birmingham, Scott Moore. Following the presentation and “Cityscapes” film, a musical performance by Burkina Electric and reception will be held in the Great Hall. The four musicians and two dancers of Burkina Electric, the first electronica band from Burkina Faso, perform a combination of traditions and rhythms of their West African country with contemporary electronic dance culture.

The Detroit Institute of Arts will be providing discounted DIA Memberships throughout the evening and this is also an opportunity to see theThrough African Eyes exhibit. This exhibition explores the artistic consequences of the variations and dynamics of cultural exchanges between Africans and Europeans over 500 years, making it the broadest analytical overview on the subject to date. Through African Eyes will illustrate how African artists from diverse cultures have used and continue to use visual forms to reflect their particular societies’ changing attitudes toward Europeans, as the latter evolved from stranger to colonizer to the more inclusive Westerner.

ABOUT CITYSCAPES THE DOCUMENTARY
In 2006 the Birmingham Public Art Board accepted John Sauvés proposal to curate the Cityscapes exhibit. The “Birmingham Cityscapes” exhibit is comprised of 10 large scale outdoor sculptures located in Downtown Birmingham. Over the last four years Sauvé have raised over $200,000 in donations for the installation of the Cityscapes sculpture. All funding for this exhibit was raised through the Private sector and through financial support from the Hill Gallery and the Sauvé Art Foundation. In conjunction with the Cityscapes exhibit, John Sauve also provided arts education for the Boys and Girls Club. The Birmingham Cityscapes exhibit is represented by artists, Mark di Suvero, Dennis Oppenheim, John Sauvé, Ken Thompson, Chris Yockey, Nathan Diana, Harry Gordon, Jay Wholley and Gene Heinstein.

ABOUT THE DETROIT INSTITUTE OF ARTS
The DIA has been a beacon of culture for the Detroit area for well over a century. Founded in 1885, the museum was originally located on Jefferson Avenue, but, due to its rapidly expanding collection, moved to a larger site on Woodward Avenue in 1927. The new Beaux-Arts building, designed by Paul Cret, was immediately referred to as the “temple of art.” Two wings were added in the 1960s and 1970s, and a major renovation and expansion that began in 1999 was completed in 2007.

ABOUT BIRMINGHAM CITYSCAPES
In an ongoing effort to promote art in public spaces and enhance the downtown area, the Cultural Council of Birmingham/Bloomfield has reinstated its CityScapes program in collaboration with the Public Arts Board of the City of Birmingham. The program is managed under the terms of the existing Birmingham outdoor sculpture agreement between the City and the Cultural Council of Birmingham/Bloomfield for temporary installation of art on public property. The objective of the CityScapes program is to serve as a launching platform to educate the community on the value of art in public places and enhance the visual character of the community. By inserting the work of artists into City life, ideas can be encountered and explored on a daily basis.

ABOUT THE SAUVE ART FOUNDATION
A nonprofit 501(c)3 which sponsors public sculpture exhibits, film festivals, performances, and educational programs. It establishes close links to the local community and other cultural institutions and universities in the United States and abroad. Started by John Sauvé, the Sauvé Art Foundation provides artists from around the world an opportunity to develop and exhibit their work in a stimulating environment. The Sauvé Art Foundation internship program offers students from a variety of disciplines hands-on experience in project management. The Sauvé Art Foundation produces an annual newsletter, exhibit catalogs, books, short films, documentaries, concerts, readings, and art exhibitions celebrating the Sauvé Art Foundation’s rich history and vibrant present.

http://www.sauveartfoundation.org