Artist Brothers Proud to be Part of Brighton

According to Erik and Israel Nordin, art has transformative powers.

“The energy of art can change people, and it can change the place too,” Erik said. “That essence and energy is in Brighton, and people want to connect with it. That's why the city is doing so well.”

The Nordin brothers, who own and operate Detroit Design Center and specialize in custom steel, glass, and wood pieces, currently have six sculptures on display in Brighton.

Three of the sculptures—, , and Interests of Orbit—are on temporary display as part of the Brighton Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit.

The other three pieces—Flex, Recylce, and Currents—were commissioned by the and funded by the Downtown Development Authority and a grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. The sculptures are on permanent display in the new pocket park on St. Paul Street, which will be dedicated on August 25.

A Serendipitous Start

Erik Nordin's relationship with Brighton began two years ago when Erik's wife found their dream home in Brighton Township. They had hoped to stay closer to their family, friends, and jobs in Detroit and hadn't considered settling in Brighton.

“It was a fluke,” Erik said. “When that happens, you got to go with it.”

Israel continues to live in Detroit.

Soon after relocating, Erik and his wife paid a visit to downtown Brighton. They were impressed.

“We were really attracted to the art,” Erik said. “It's refreshing to see a community so supportive of the arts, a community who understands the energy of the art.”

A few weeks later, Erik's wife came across a call to artists for submissions to the Brighton Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit. Without hesitation, the Nordin brothers submitted two sculptures. Both were accepted, and the Nordin brothers were thrilled.

“The city was so open and excited about the sculpture going in,” Erik said. “It left us with a good feeling about them. It's the kind of thing that gives us the energy we need to keep going.”

Industrial Roots

The Nordin brothers, who grew up in Sterling Heights, began making art for a living in 2000 when their father retired and gave them the 12,000 square foot Detroit warehouse that used to house the family's steel making business.

“It's so Detroit and crusty,” Erik said of the building that now houses the Detroit Design Center. “When people visit, their jaws drop.”

When the Nordin brothers had the opportunity to relocate to a newer, less grimy building in suburbia, they decided stay put—partly because they're happy to support Detroit and partly because the warehouse supports the organic nature of their work.

“A clean studio wouldn't be as powerful to a client or as inspiring to us,” Erik said. “Seeing a finished sculpture in our workspace is like seeing a beautiful painting hanging in a graffitied alley. When something looks good in our space, it just sings in its meant space.”

Claudia Roblee, Brighton Arts and Culture Commission member, agreed.

“I toured their studio and looked at other pieces they were doing for other projects. Their creativity is boundless,” Roblee said.

Brain Pickers

Early on in their career, the Nordin brothers realized that they were good problem solvers. Most of their work consists of sculptures, furniture, gates, railings, signage, and lighting customized to fit a certain space and capture a certain vibe.

“Our concept is picking brains,” Israel said. “In the course of conversing with a client, we discover possibilities that might not have occurred to them.”

Erik agreed, noting that the concept is crucial to their artistic approach as well as their business strategy.

“In order to grow the company not too quickly, we tried to let things happen in an organic way. Israel and I want to be connected with what we build. Every piece that we do for a business or individual, we try to pick their brain and find out what really works for them,” Erik said.

The brothers relied on their brain picking skills when they bid for three open spots in the new pocket park on St. Paul St.

The considered the work of seven different artists. According to Roblee, the BACC chose the Nordin brothers' work because each of the three sculptures responded well to what the commission wanted.

“Erik and Israel both have very infectious, upbeat attitudes, they take their work very seriously, they heard very well what we were looking for and are very committed to their art,” Roblee said.

The sculptures were installed in May, and the pocket park will be dedicated on August 25.

The brothers said they feel blessed to have built such a great relationship with Brighton's residents and city officials.

“In Brighton, people treat the city like it's their backyard,” Israel said. “Because we're guided more by emotions than by money and attacking a market, we're attracted to people who want to surround themselves with the things we do.”

To see more of the Nordin brothers' work, visit the Detroit Design Center's website, which just underwent its first redesign in 10 years.