Wednesday, August 9, 2017

The Guardian Building Mural

Next time I visit Detroit the Guardian Building, an art deco "cathedral of finance" will be on my must see list. Not because it is a "timeless depiction of creativity and accomplishment" but because of the Michigan map mural. Just look at how it's situated! It's like the Cathedral of the Holy Map!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/amberwillits/26418884725/
The map on its own does not show much - mainly colored counties and water bodies along with various figures and coats of arms. If you're a Michigan purist you will note that most of the Upper Peninsula is missing. Its more about how the map is displayed.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/zxgirl/6464055379/
Here I have zoomed in a bit for better detail
https://www.flickr.com/photos/zxgirl/6464055379/
The above pictures are from this page on flickriver but you can also go inside the lobby on Google StreetView.
https://www.google.com/maps/@42.32956,-83.045978,3a,75y,156.89h,90.99t/data=!3m8!1e1!3m6!1sAF1QipNBHFcqNNfQPgDpGmxahv14IvZqy6GAIAScFYET!2e10!3e11!6shttps:%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipNBHFcqNNfQPgDpGmxahv14IvZqy6GAIAScFYET%3Dw203-h100-k-no-pi-0-ya223.32114-ro0-fo100!7i7168!8i3584
You can also see some great art deco details from the links above including a Tiffany glass clock, a stained glass Native American mosaic, light fixtures and even details around the elevator doors.

1 comment:

Michael5000 said...

I like that it has the counties. Many there's a separate shrine for the U.P.