Greek Ann Arbor

Show Horse 1

Originally produced as a painting, Show Horse 1 made by K. A. Letts, is now in Ann Arbor in the form of vinyl wrap. Local artist K. A. Letts, selected by PowerArt!, draws inspiration from myth, aboriginal art, outsider and street art and. Her wrap depicts a horse walking down a paved street that seems to flow and bend all around the power box. Although different from the original, the work still shows Greek influence from Minoan pottery. The elongated and narrow stylized horses elicit Minoan characteristics even though more commonly abstract, floral, or marine subjects were painted on vases. The artist also may have drawn from archaic funerary vases where horses, similarly depicted, were often part of the funerary procession for elite Greeks.

In partnership with the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority (AADDA) and the Ann Arbor Public Art Commission (AAPAC), the Arts Alliance manages, selects, and installs artwork by local artists on power boxes throughout downtown Ann Arbor. “Projects like PowerArt! exist across the country, and have led to a decrease in vandalism where installed” (a3arts.org). The vinyl material used to wrap the artwork is resistant to graffiti and can be replaced if damaged. In addition to decreasing vandalism as well being graffiti resistant, these works also serve to beautify the city by transforming industrial looking electrical boxes, which are on many streets corners, into art exhibits for the public to enjoy.