Broderick Tower - Humpback Whale Mural

**Sehv313** · July-27-20, 12:56 AM

I've always seen this mural as a staple of the city, not because of the many of years it has been located on the side of 10 Witherell St. but how it stands out apart from everything around it. In a 'sort-of concrete jungle' city like Detroit, this huge bright blue attraction of 'jumping humpback wales' almost seemed illuminated when I entered Downtown last week for the first time since our Pre-Covid 19 days. Now I ask, not about the history of the 1997 Humpback Wale mural but why out of all animals did the artist[[s) choose jumping humpback whales for this mural instead of something more agressive like tigers, lions, bears, etc.? Does anybody know?

**NSortzi** · July-27-20, 04:13 AM

Because whale murals were his thing. According to the Wikipedia article they were done by invitation of the property owner. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Whaling_Walls

**Kathleen** · July-27-20, 08:12 AM

Learn all about the artist Robert Wyland and his art and his conservation philosophy here: https://www.wyland.com/the-artist/

**Meddle** · July-27-20, 08:59 AM

Originally Posted by Sehv313

Now I ask, not about the history of the 1997 Humpback Wale mural but why out of all animals did the artist[[s) choose jumping humpback whales for this mural instead of something more agressive like tigers, lions, bears, etc.? Does anybody know?

Why does everything need to be 'aggressive'? Why not peaceful and playful?

Does anybody know?

**EGrant** · July-27-20, 09:14 AM

Originally Posted by Meddle

Why does everything need to be 'aggressive'? Why not peaceful and playful?

Does anybody know?

Kid Rock/Eminem Voice-over: "Because we're DEEEETROIT. GRITTY. WE HUSTLE HARDER. FACTORIES. MUSCLE. ITS HALFTIME, AMERICA. DE2ROIT. SPARKS FLYING IN AN AUTO PLANT.

**Seven&wyo** · July-27-20, 11:04 AM

Wyland may be, objectively, the worst artist I've ever seen.

**rb336** · July-27-20, 11:24 AM

Originally Posted by Seven&wyo

Wyland may be, objectively, the worst artist I've ever seen.

The word you are looking for is "subjectively." You don't like him. Fine. what "objective" criteria are you imposing? Is his perspective off? color palate wrong? depictions of the animals inaccurate?

Do you have any other artists involved with marine life who work at such scales? Let's see links to their work. Or those who cover similar subjects at any scale. Why are they "objectively" better?

**Meddle** · July-27-20, 11:34 AM

Originally Posted by Seven&wyo

I've ever seen.

Of the millions of artists out there, how many have you seen? And do you mean you've 'seen' as in having met them in person? Or that you've seen their works?

**Meddle** · July-27-20, 11:37 AM

Also, remember this is a mural painted on the side of a building under whatever the prevailing weather conditions were. It's not likely going to be of the same quality as one painted on a canvas in a studio.

**401don** · July-27-20, 11:40 AM

I've never minded the mural although I do find it oddly out of place. If it's going to be there I wish the colors were a little bolder. It has always looked faded.

**Seven&wyo** · July-27-20, 11:49 AM

Originally Posted by rb336

The word you are looking for is "subjectively." You don't like him. Fine. what "objective" criteria are you imposing? Is his perspective off? color palate wrong? depictions of the animals inaccurate?

Do you have any other artists involved with marine life who work at such scales? Let's see links to their work. Or those who cover similar subjects at any scale. Why are they "objectively" better?

No I mean objectively. He has absolutely no grasp of correct value, focal point, brush strokes, his color palette is gawdy to say the least, he's a grown man who paints primarily in acrylic[[which is for children) and his painting lack any kind of energy a picture could have. I can't believe someone who paints like a child could be so successful. Depressing

**Ray1936** · July-27-20, 11:51 AM

As one who has absolutely no artistic talent [[although I appreciate most art), I'd love to have his talent in my second life. Just sayin'.

**Meddle** · July-27-20, 12:12 PM

Originally Posted by Seven&wyo

I can't believe someone who paints like a child could be so successful. Depressing

I'm guessing you think Guyton's messes are masterpieces?

**Satiricalivory** · July-27-20, 12:22 PM

Acrylic is for children? I haven't heard that before.

**EGrant** · July-27-20, 02:47 PM

We're talking about brush strokes on an 18-story mural? Haha what a world.

**Zacha341** · July-28-20, 08:21 AM

Ah the oil verse acrylic argument. Sigh...

... it's a wonderful image where none of that is applicable for applying paint to a brick, concrete or other type of substrate. It's a beautiful mural!

**Gistok** · July-28-20, 11:25 AM

Originally Posted by Zacha341

Ah the oil verse acrylic argument. Sigh...

... it's a wonderful image where non of that is applicable for apply paint to a brick, concrete or other type of substrate. It's a beautiful mural!

I always think that it looks better than an advertisement. If you look at downtown Detroit in the 1920s and 1930s there is a preponderance of billboards and building ads all over downtown. I'm glad that downtown hasn't been inundated since then... the city center looks very much more photogenic now.

Although I used to like the large theatre marquee blade signs on downtown theatre's. A pit that only the Fox has a multistory one now. In the 20s-50s you used to be able to stand at W. Adams and Woodward, and be able to turn your head in 360 degrees... and see a dozen theatre marquee's.

**Sehv313** · July-31-20, 06:38 PM

Originally Posted by 401don

I've never minded the mural although I do find it oddly out of place.

Agreed, and this is why I posed the question? Why Whales, and why in Detroit? ...Beautiful mural btw.

**ABetterDetroit** · July-31-20, 08:47 PM

Originally Posted by Sehv313

Agreed, and this is why I posed the question? Why Whales, and why in Detroit? ...Beautiful mural btw.

The artist Robert Wyland was born and raised in Madison Heights. Marine mammals and especially whales are his thing. Large murals world-wide made him famous so it makes sense that the D has one.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Wyland

**Satiricalivory** · July-31-20, 09:42 PM

Kind of a reach. It says he moved to Laguna Beach waaaaay back in the 1970's! LAME! We dont know her!

I don't really care much about the mural either way but you know that if anybody tried to get rid of it we're gonna have a bunch of middle aged Karens from Auburn Hills protesting in Grand Circus Park about it.

Does anybody know what the wall looked like before the mural? I can't for the life of me find a single photo. I assume the elevator shafts are placed there so they couldn't put windows in.

**softailrider** · August-01-20, 05:52 AM

I’ve always kind of liked it. Nothing about it ever bothered me. I wouldn’t say I was ever in love with it, but I though it looked good.

**Kathleen** · August-01-20, 08:38 AM

When the mural was done in 1997, it was a good thing! After all, the Broderick Tower had been just sitting there...empty and decaying for years!
https://detroitunseen.com/detroit-wh...al-detroit-mi/

I've always enjoyed it!