The Heidelberg Project - Meg HandlerMeg Handler

The Heidelberg Project, Detroit, 1987

I started making pictures in the mid 80’s. My earliest body of work is of the artist Tyree Guyton and his Heidelberg Project. This is an art environment on Detroit’s east side. Tyree would take abandoned homes in his neighborhood and make art out of them. This was a creative and political act. The day after I photographed there for the first time, the Mayor of Detroit had “The Baby Doll House” torn down, it was an “eyesore and a fire hazard”. The irony is that it was a crack house before Tyree transformed it. The Heidelberg Project continues to grow and inspire. It’s one of Detroit’s top tourist destinations.

The Heidelberg Project is art, energy, and community. It's an open-air art environment in the heart of Detroit's East Side.

'The Baby Doll House', a few days before it was demolished by Mayor Coleman Young in 1987.

Detail, 'The Baby Doll House', a few days before it was demolished by Mayor Coleman Young in 1987.

Detail, 'The Baby Doll House', a few days before it was demolished by Mayor Coleman Young in 1987.

'The Baby Doll House', a few days before it was demolished by Mayor Coleman Young in 1987.

The remains of 'The Baby Doll House', demolished by Mayor Coleman Young in 1987.

The remains of 'The Baby Doll House', demolished by Mayor Coleman Young in 1987.

Tyree and Karen Guyton in front of the remains of 'The Baby Doll House', demolished by Mayor Coleman Young in 1987.

'Granpa' Sam Mackey, in front of the remains of 'The Baby Doll House', demolished by Mayor Coleman Young in 1987.

The remains of 'The Baby Doll House', demolished by Mayor Coleman Young in 1987.

Main House, The Heidelberg Project, Detroit, 1987.

The Heidelberg Project, Detroit, 1987.

The Heidelberg Project, Artwork by Tyree Guyton, Detroit, 1987.

The Heidelberg Project, Artwork by Tyree Guyton, Detroit, 1987.

Detail, Main House, The Heidelberg Project, Detroit, 1987.

The Heidelberg Project, Detroit, 1987.

Neighbor at The Heidelberg Project, Detroit, 1987.

Heidelberg Street, Detroit, 1987.

Artist Tyree Guyton in front of "OJ House", part of the Heidelberg Project , Detroit, 1987.

'OJ House', The Heidelberg Project, Detroit, 1987.

The Heidelberg Project, Detroit, 1987.

'Polka dot House', The Heidelberg Project, Detroit, 1987.

Detail, 'Polka dot House', The Heidelberg Project, Detroit, 1987.

Artist Tyree Guyton, Heidelberg Street, Detroit, 1987.

Neighbors, Heidelberg Street, Detroit, 1987.

Heidelberg Street, Detroit, 1987.

The Heidelberg Project, Detroit, 1987.

Heidelberg Street, Detroit, 1987.

Grandpa Sam Mackey holds one of his drawings, Detroit, 1987.

Grandpa Sam Mackey, in front of Main House, Heidelberg Project, Detroit, 1987.

Heidelberg Project, Detroit, 1993.