Swedish Artist At Center Of Detroit's Comeback

US News recent listed Detroit as one of the 10 Underrated Cities for Art Lovers. Artists from all over the word are coming to Detroit.  Low rents, the creative vibe, the city’s rich history in manufacturing, and a sense of community, are all drawing creative people to The Motor City. 

Thomas Muller is a Swedish artist (Halmstad) who has never stepped foot in Detroit, let alone North America, and on September 24, he will open his first gallery in the United States, in Detroit’s Rivertown district and we would like to invite you to its grand opening and a discussion with Thomas about his interest and entrance into the North American art community. 

The TH.Muller Galleri is located in The Dongan Building, 2987 Franklin St., Detroit MI 48207.

Hans Hanson is the owner of the building and the galleri (Swedish for "gallery").  He also owns CAM, which private labels all the food for Rachel Ray and beans for Whole Foods.  He also is the North American Distributor of Falksalt,  a salt used by chefs all around the world.  In addition to Detroit Denim, CAM and the new galleri, Hans is building six new lofts being on the building’s second and soon, third floors, with amazing views of Detroit's iconic Renaissance Center.

The galleri, the lofts and Detroit Denim, together tell a great story about Detroit.  Refurbishing a vacant building in an untapped section of Detroit, relocating an office from the suburbs, securing Detroit Denim as a tenant that represents the grit of Detroit and the future of manufacturing in the Motor City and building lofts to build a community — Complemented by an art gallery and Swedish-artist to weave arts and culture into a city’s renaissance. 

I hope you will join me for the Galleri Opening, Saturday September 24, from 10-2, and celebrate this artists passion for a city he has only read about.

Tack på förhand!
Daniel

Here is more information on the artist, the galleri and other aspects of The Dongan Building

ABOUT Thomas Muller
Thomas Muller began his career in the 1990’s specializing in decorative wall paintings. He studied art in Oslo and after spending time in Norway, he moved to Stockholm where he worked for over a decade. Muller now works out of his studio in Halmstadt, Sweden. 

Thomas Muller paints with acrylic on handmade paper to produce variations of color, glass and metal. He conveys both the atmosphere and symbolism in innovative color scales. Muller has a certain attraction to reflect time trends in a nostalgic glow. The result is fragmentation of eras that ordinary people feel noticeably at home.

Realizing atmospheric images in humorous and enigmatic ways is Thomas’ true intention. Fantasy, symbolism, and artfulness are key when creating his works. Alongside producing his art, he is frequently called upon to transform the interiors of restaurants, clubs, and offices looking for a personal and edgy style.

Thomas Muller will open his first exhibition in the United States at the TH Müller Galleri in Detroit on September 23, 2016.   “This Galleri represents the foundation of change in Detroit’s Rivertown neighborhood,” said Hans Hanson, President and CEO of CAM Marketing, and Galleri owner. “Arts plays a pivotal role in creating a sense of place and Detroit is the perfect place to introduce Thomas Muller and his paintings.”

ABOUT THE TH.MULLER GALLERILocated on the northwest corner of Franklin & McDougal Street, the TH.Muller Galleri resides in a space that truly embodies the industrial spirit of Detroit. As the home of the Dongan Electric Manufacturing Company in 1911, this space was once a factory manufacturing electrical transformers. 

Evidence of the building's history can be seen throughout. Some of the original components of the manufacturing process were strategically left intact, making for an interesting juxtaposition of past and present.  The Galleri's main room is a 30' x 40' open area, hosting 16 hanging works from Thomas Muller.

For more information, visit info@thmullergalleri.com

The Dongan Building

Built in 1905, The Dongan Building was used by the Dongan family to manufacturing military parts for World War II, on behalf of the Dongan Electric Company from 1905-2013.  The second half of the building (McDougall side) was added around 1925.  The building was used primarily as a manufacturing facility for electrical products, specifically electric transformers.  The building’s second floor was used a secure location, one of the most secure in the City of Detroit at the time, to manufacture transformers for the U.S. Navy during World War II.  Only those with top-level security clearance were allowed to access the buildings second floor.

In 2013, onyorkfork, LLC purchased the building and CAM became one of the first tenants.   Since taking occupancy in 2014 the building has gone through a significant restoration. For example,

• The floors in the TH.Muller Galleri are original. The cement patches in The Galleri were added when that space was used as a paint room for the transformers.
• The metal track system over the conference table in the main room of CAM’s Corporate Office is the track where the transformers were hung for drying after they were painted.
• The other track system, including the crane and hook in CAM’s office, were used to take the finished transformers out of the building and onto trucks.
• Some of the windows on the buildings first floor were looking over the parking lot, were the original windows from the building’s garage door.
• Throughout CAM’s Office Suite, you will find pieces of the equipment used to manufacturer the transformers. In fact, all of the pieces were saved and now hang as historical “art”.
• The staircase on the Franklin side was relocated during the restoration.  It was originally used to be on the other side of the wall, leading into what is now CAM’s corporate office.
• While great care and consideration was put into restoring the building and reusing as many pieces as possible, there are plans to further advance the mixed-use of the building.  

Current tenants include CAM, Detroit Denim and the TH Muller Galleri, lofts are current under construction on the building’s second floor, with a third floor planned.   There are also plans to add a restaurant; speakeasy and the loading dock will soon transition to a market for neighbors to purchase specialty food items.

When the buildings restoration is fully completed, the building’s façade appear as a set of stairs with the iconic RenCen as its backdrop.

THE FRANKLIN LOFTS

Luxury loft living will soon be available in the former Dongan Building.  The Franklin Lofts will set a new standard in upscale loft living in Downtown Detroit, just blocks from an international waterfront. Lofts will occupy the second and third floors, featuring spectacular views of downtown Detroit, with a roof top deck option for even more amazing views and wonderful space for entertaining and relaxation.  Each of the six united will feature:

• HVAC;
• Gypcrete flooring surface ready for stain or alternate floor covering;
• New windows;
• Building standard kitchen and bathrooms;
• 12 foot ceilings; and,
• Secure parking.
  
  The Franklin Lofts are located in the heart of Detroit's Rivertown District, near the city center and close to many other great places like the Detroit Riverwalk, Belle Isle, Chene Park, Dequindre Cut, and Eastern market.
   

ABOUT FALKSALT

Falksalt  are sea salt flakes used for cooking and in exclusive cocktails. Harvested using a system that creates large, pyramid-shaped crystals, the crystals are flavored during the formation, enriching each salt crystal with a robust flavor.

All Falksalt Crystal Flakes salt are made of 100% pure sea salt and natural ingredients. The initial range includes: fruity Lemon and spicy Chipotle, as well as Black crystal flake.

Falksalt has been producing and trading salt for more than 180 years, making it extremely popular amongst star chefs and food enthusiasts all over the globe.  

For more information, visit http://falksalt.com/us/.