Thoughts On 7 Mile + Livernois After Dark with Nick Speed

An experience of the DIA's latest exhibition 7 Mile + Livernois

Feb 12, 2025

Setting the Scene

I was looking for events to go to with my friends in January and I saw the event “7 Mile + Livernois After Dark with Nick Speed”. A couple of weeks prior I had my Birthday party at the DIA and my friend told me about special after-dark events that the DIA holds, and I have never been. This was a perfect opportunity to experience After Dark and bring my friends to something new. I saw 7 Mile + Livernois this summer when I visited the DIA, but I was excited to see it again with fresh eyes.

My friends and I arrived at the gallery around 7:30 and there were massive lines wrapped around to get into the parking. My friends and I drove separately so we were all in a group call freaking out about how we were going to get in. Mariel and I were the first to find parking, we parked on the right side of the lot upon entry (where we parked the last time for my birthday party). We discussed our time together in Royal Oak that morning perusing the record and thrift store. The windows became cloudy with the heat of our breath so I turned to my left and wiped the fog from my window. I looked into the car next to us and they were pregaming mini bottles of Titos. I directed Mariel’s attention while we giggled watching the two beautiful women in the car next to us prepare for the event. Mariel and I ducked our heads after both women stopped in their tracks to then watch us. We giggled looking down at the center console of my 2008 Ford, we knew we were in for a great night. Once Armando, Dakota, and Julia arrived we left our bulky coats in my backseat and ran to the entrance. The January night bit through my leggings and viciously attacked my fingers as we ran toward the chatter, lights, and beats.

Walking into the gallery my eyes were met with so many beautiful people here to celebrate an exhibition that reflected their essence. My favorite part about the exhibition is that the viewers looked at the art that Massey has created. Bold lips, red berets, chains and tweed coats, Dunks and trousers, fur-lined coats, gold statement jewelry, and Intricate braids. Walking in, everyone pooled towards the entrance of Rivera Court where the music and laughter grew louder. Me and my friends merged through the crowd to get in and Nick Speed stood at his table producing music that inevitably brought the people closer together surrounded by the timeless Detroit Industry Murals (1932–1933) by Diego Rivera. While walking around I ran into multiple familiar faces in the art scene. While walking around Armando spotted Katie Pfhol who curated 7 Mile + Livernois After Dark working closely with Massey to bring Massey’s vision to life. My friends urged me to walk up to her. After she just ended a conversation I approached her and relief rushed over me when she remembered who I was. I congratulated her on the turn out and the energy of the DIA was insane. This event gave guests who normally don’t go to the DIA an opportunity to experience it in all its glory and to be a part of the art community.

Immersing in the Art

Massey’s exhibit excited me upon entry seeing the vast walls (usually white) painted black which made looking at the art, and feel more like I was looking at her. Summarizing from her artist statement, “Tiff Massey is known for her installations, public art, and her sculptures inspired by adornment. Trained as a metalsmith, she scales her jewelry to the size of architecture, celebrating Detroit’s evolving neighborhoods and the history of West African and Black African culture and style.”. Through 7 Mile + Livernois, Massey utilizes her art to create community engagement which she excelled at. Massey reenvisions the role of art in her community by creating an inclusive view of Detroit. Her art celebrates collective identity, ancestral flyness, and beauty.

My favorite part about her exhibition is her body of work being placed on black walls. This is important because her pieces are large sculptures of jewelry meant to adorn the body. This detail alone is so loving to the art created for her community. Masseys pieces leave viewers feeling seen and validated.

One of the pieces that stood out to me the most includes Whatupdoe, 2024 which is named after a greeting that is familiar to all Detroiters as an endearing Hello. Big cubic metal structures linked to the wall spill into the gallery floor conducting attention and taking up space. “The conjoined links symbolize the ties that bind the diverse neighborhoods and connect generations of people to the city.” Samantha Noël writes for Wayne State University.

Another piece that captivated me was I’ve Got Bundles and I Got Flewd Out (Green). This piece exudes community yet individuality simultaneously. It includes a diverse array of hairstyles by Massey's stylist with green kanekalon hair. Some of the styles use lighter green, while some use darker. This piece is another reflection of Detroit capturing how the community uses hair as a language to express personality and fashion. Again, this piece adheres to the theme of adornment, especially adorning her community. This piece reminds me of the summer of 2019 when my friend Leila lived in Michigan. Our friendship was beginning to grow and she would always do my hair. The piece reminds me of sitting on her bedroom floor while she kept pushing my neck further and further to the side but still doing my hair with so much compassion. Me and Leila would talk about our high school and boys during the process. It reminds me how sweet and loving it is to do others' hair and grows my appreciation towards others who take the time to do my hair in return.

*I’ve Got Bundles and I Got Flewd Out (Green), 2023*

To Conclude…

Overall, this exhibition has inspired me to create art that inspires the people I love most. Massey lifts her community and viewers walk differently after engaging with Massey’s work. If you live in Detroit, I recommend viewing the exhibition before it closes this May. There will be at least one more After Dark experience to look out for.

The Stretched Canvas

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