The Metro: New online Kresge exhibit inspired by Detroit disc jockey Electrifying Mojo

Kresge Arts in Detroit will debut a new online exhibition next week featuring the work of its 2023 Kresge Artist Fellows and Gilda Award recipients.

The artists were asked to take inspiration from the legendary Detroit Radio DJ The Electrifying Mojo, whose seminal radio show in the 1970s and ’80s shaped many Detroiters musical tastes at that time.

2023 Kresge Artist Fellow Claire Gasamagera will be among the artists participating in the exhibit, titled “Flash Your Lights.” Gasamagera joined The Metro on Thursday, along with Kristen Gallerneaux, curator of communication and information technology and editor-in-chief of digital curation at Henry Ford Museum, to discuss the exhibition.

While the exhibit is not specifically about Mojo, Gallerneaux says it pays homage and takes inspiration from the themes of his show.

“There was a sort of like idea of like, you know, peace and positivity through sound; he had these amazing monologues that he would deliver on his show, and in addition to all the incredible music that he played,” Gallerneaux said.

Mojo would also ask listeners to flash their headlights to let others around know who was listening to the show. 

“So that is kind of like his phrase, (flash your lights), but it just sort of felt like a bonding sort of moment to think about how do we flash our lights together in the arts community in metro Detroit,” she said. 

To Gasamagera, the phrase “flash your lights” means looking for common ground and connecting to each other.

“When I say common ground, I mean looking for the things that unite us and celebrate our differences,” Gasamagera said. “When we flash our light, the first sound I hear is resilience. So that’s how I use this theme in my writings.”

Each of the 15 contributing artists have created an individual web page that will be interconnected through sound in some way, Gallerneaux said.

The exhibit will debut on Monday, April 8.

More headlines from The Metro on April 4, 2024:

• Brook Benham, adjunct professor at the College for Creative Studies, is the mind behind Sketchbattle Jr, an engaging competition and educational event for kids interested in sketching and designing futuristic ideas. WDET’s Sascha Raiyn spoke with Benham about the upcoming Sketchbattle Jr event planned on April 13.
• WDET’s Stephen Henderson sat down with Wayne State University’s Dr. Sonia Hassan on Created Equal this week to discuss why women’s access to health care is declining in the U.S.
• Detroit Pistons fans have one positive note on a difficult season. Guard Malachi Flynn came off the bench and scored 50 points against the Atlanta Hawks Wednesday night.
• About 150 of the fires started last year are still burning under snow-covered ground. Referred to as “zombie fires,” they have caused the Canadian government to forecast more wildfires this season and to extend its wildfire season. Producer Sam Corey spoke with Nick Schroeck, associate dean of experiential education and associate professor of law at the University of Detroit Mercy, to learn how these fires might impact Michigan. 

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