Wyandotte Artists Part of the Dirty’s Dozenth

The Dirty Show is arriving this weekend–a valentine to the city of Detroit.

The show, which promotes all forms of erotic art, is celebrating its 12th year. While some people question whether the exhibition is porn or art, organizers say it's 100 percent art.

The show, created by Jerry Vile in 2000, has grown each year. The initial Dirty Show was held in Orbit Magazine’s offices for one night with 40 artists. The show was so successful that a second night was added the following year, but the crowds had continued to grow. The Dirty Show has changed locations several times since then with stops at the Bankle Building, the Museum of New Art and Tangent Gallery and Hastings St. Ballroom.

The Dirty Show has settled in at Bert’s Warehouse in Eastern Market. The show receives thousands of submissions and will host 400 artists this year from all over the world with a concentration on local talent.

Two Wyandotte artists are being showcased this year. Jeremy E. Hansen and Paul Balog each have pieces in the show, which is an accomplishment in and of itself as only two out of every 10 submissions are accepted.

Balog has been involved with the Dirty Show for 10 years. This year, he has two entries–a three-dimensional collage with a variety of suggestive images titled “Weekend to Remember” and a sign titled “Eat Me” that uses mixed media. Balog is helping set up the Dirty Show and said it is looking really good this year.

“They have a lot of beautiful stuff,” he said.

Hansen, gallery director at River’s Edge Gallery, will be a part of the Dirty Show as an artist for the first time this year. He's helped hang art at the show for the past five years, but has never entered a piece of art before. He said he doesn’t normally paint things that would fit into the theme of the Dirty Show, but recently was inspired to create something that fits perfectly, he said. 

Hansen’s entry, titled “Touch,” is a nude woman painted on a salvaged door found in Detroit. He said he was inspired by a character named Lacey in a book he is reading, Steve Martin’s “Objects of Beauty." The shape of the door and the inspiration just came together, he said.

“I’m really excited about being in the Dirty Show,” Hansen said.

The Dirty Show exhibits many personalities. Displays can be kitschy, campy and funny. It also displays fine art with an erotic theme. Fans can expect to see paintings, photographs and statues. Burlesque dancers and artists will be performing live on stages throughout the show.

One of the most popular things to do at the Dirty Show is people watch. There will be plenty for everyone to see.

The Dirty Show opens at 7 p.m. Friday. Tickets often sell out quickly, so check ahead. Tickets are available at or online at www.dirtydetroit.com.