Chicago Artist Brings Caribbean Flavor to Downtown Detroit

Library Street Collective partners with Carlos “Dzine” Rolón to present a sculpture installation inspired by the artist’s rich Puerto Rican culture.
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Detroit-based art gallery Library Street Collective will debut a new public sculpture installation in the exhibition space The Belt, on Friday. The piece, created by Chicago artist Carlos “Dzine” Rolón, is inspired by the culture of Barrio Loíza, Puerto Rico.

Named Loiza, the large-scale installation will span across the width of the alleyway. The space will feature handmade ceramic tile tables, a ‘Jibaro’ garden made of cinderblock and artificial flowers, hanging hand-crafted shell macramés, and a palm tree wrapped in lights. Loiza will be open to the public until the weather permits.

“When visitors walk through the passageway of Loiza, the hope is when you enter the environment, you’re immediately transported to another place and time” says Rolón in a press release. He has been working on pieces for the sculpture installation since June.

A public event will be held at 6 p.m. on Friday to celebrate the unveiling of the installation. Craft cocktails inspired by Puerto Rico will be available from Standby, live entertainment will be provided by a mariachi band, and nail artist AstroWifey, who previously collaborated with Rolón at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago, will be offering Caribbean-inspired manicures.

Library Street Collective, which plans to host a solo exhibition of new work by Rolón in 2018, is also teaming up with local art gallery Louis Buhl and Co. to produce a signed screen print titled Fountain of Youth to coincide with the exhibit.

Rolón has shown his work around the world. His previous projects in Detroit include Vintage Voyages and Atomic Memories, which were shown last year at the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit. He was also a participating artist in Unobstructed Views, a contemporary art exhibition and benefit auction that was presented by MOCAD and Library Street Collective at the Grosse Pointe Shores-based William Hawkins Ferry House in July.


For more information, visit lscgallery.com