Seafoam Palace, Detroit

A CABINET OF CURIOSITIES

Boston filmmaker Bryan Papciak and Collision Works founder Shel Kimen develop Seafoam Palace: A Museum of Curiosity in Detroit.

When Seafoam Palace opens in a decaying historical office building on Detroit’s east side in late 2015, Boston filmmaker Bryan Papciak will be an important engine behind this updated Renaissance “Wunderkammer,” or cabinet of curiosities.

The museum’s orchestration of urban detritus, art and interactive installations grows from a collaboration of a score of artists united by curiosity about forgotten places and objects. In the midst of others constructing interpretive activities and displays based in fact, fantasy and absurdity, Papciak and writer/photographer Julia Solis are composing the aesthetics and historical, scientific and sociological thematics underlying the museum’s vision.

In August, Papciak’s live-action animated Kickstarter video snagged $23,000 for a new roof and other improvements needed before exhibits can open. Papciak also recently curated a night of “Animated Curiosi- ties” consisting of international animated short films.

Board members Papciak, a teacher of experimental film and animation at the Rhode Island School of Design and Shel Kimen, a former New York City advertising executive, founder of Detroit’s Collision Works community development project and “bridge- builder” with the local and artistic communities, spoke to artscope’s Elizabeth Michelman about the museum’s structure and purposes.

Elizabeth Michelman