Artists propose Ice House as statement on foreclosures

Gregory Holm and Matthew Radune are proposing an art installation that would literally freeze an abandoned house in order to draw attention to the city's foreclosure crisis. Afterward, they plan to deconstruct the house, recycle any materials possible and then donate the land for urban farming or a non-profit development. The project, known as Ice House Detroit, is currently raising funds using the website Kickstarter and is aiming for $11,000 by the December 16 deadline.

Holm, who is from Detroit and still owns a home in Hamtramck, says their project has been in the works for some time -- current media saturation aside -- and that the duo is hoping to spotlight Detroit in collaboration with the community.

Taking inspiration from the frozen tree sculpture on Belle Isle as well as the frozen housing market -- "There's obvious irony there," says Holm -- Ice House Detroit is intended to be a small reflection of what the artists see happening in Detroit and the world. "We're taking a small piece of Detroit and reshaping it into something temporarily beautiful," he says. "It's meant to be open for interpretation, (we're) not trying to imply or mean too much."

Those who pledge funds to the project can receive various incentives, ranging from prints to photo books to private tours led by artist Scott Hocking and dinner with the artists.

Holm and Radune plan to visit Detroit regularly over the next few months, eventually purchasing a vacant home that is slated for demolition. Follow Ice House Detroit's progress at the project's blog, which includes research, artist information and photos.

Source: Gregory Holm, Ice House Detroit
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh