The Detroit Institute of Arts is a world-renowned museum. But, but how many pieces in its collection are made by a Detroiter? Tiff Massey’s “Baby Bling” will soon be acquired by the DIA. Salvador Salort-Pons, the museum’s Director, told the Metro that the DIA is acquiring “Baby Bling” from Massey and adding it to the museum’s permanent collection. 

“We are acquiring “Baby Bling,” and I’m very excited about this, and this will be on view in, I hope […] our contemporary wing, and I hope it will be part of the reinstallation,” says Salvador Salor-Pons.

Lots of people traveled and spent their weekends at the DIA over the past year. Tiff Massey’s “7 Mile + Livernois”  wasn’t just an exhibit, it was an event for the culture. The exhibit represented Black Detroit in some of its rawest forms.

In 2015, the DIA responded to some critics who thought the DIA and other art institutions could do better to serve Detroit and Metro Detroit. In response, it created a Talent and Diversity subcommittee and later in 2020, created its inclusion, diversity and access or IDEA strategy. 

Recent exhibitions like Massey’s “7 Mile + Livernois” suggest the strategy to make the DIA a more inclusive and representative space is working.

Museum Director Salvador Salort-Pons and exhibition curator Katie Pfol joined The Metro to discuss how the exhibition’s success marks a turning point for the Museum.

Salvador shared that the museum’s year-long showcase of the tiff Massey exhibit was just the tip of the iceberg.

The Detroit Institute of Arts plans to reinstall its contemporary African American galleries to a more prominent location in the museum in October. The new location will be adjacent to the renowned Diego Rivera court.

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7 Mile and Livernois is home to Detroit’s Avenue of Fashion and has been for many years. Thriving businesses line the streetscape with an array of shops, restaurants and art galleries — most of them Black-owned.

Detroit artist Tiff Massey shines a spotlight on this culturally rich neighborhood with her latest exhibit “7 Mile + Livernois” — which has been on display at the Detroit Institute of Arts for the past year. Massey is the youngest artist to have a solo exhibit on display at the DIA.

The exhibition — closing this weekend — features a variety of installations, public art and wearable sculptures that celebrate Black American culture and style. The DIA will host a closing celebration, “7 Mile and Livernois After Dark,” this Friday, with live performances from DJs Kesswa and Donavan Glover. 

Massey joined The Metro on Thursday to reflect on the year-long exhibit before it closes.

Use the media player above to hear the full conversation.

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