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    2016: Synthetic Nostalgia, Jonathon Downing Solo Exhibition

    Elmwood Alight 2026

    Casting The Net: Zahra Almajidi (09.04-10.03)

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    Opening Reception 2016: Synthetic Nostalgia

    Downing X 2016: Synthetic Nostalgia Limited Edition Collection Drop

    Artist Talk: Jonathon Downing

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FeaturedLIFESTYLE
·October 23, 2026

Downing X 2016: Synthetic Nostalgia Limited Edition Collection Drop

2026EXHIBITIONSFeatured
·October 2, 2026

2016: Synthetic Nostalgia, Jonathon Downing Solo Exhibition

2026EXHIBITIONSFeatured
·August 10, 2026

Casting The Net: Zahra Almajidi (09.04-10.03)

FeaturedLIFESTYLE
·October 23, 2026

Downing X 2016: Synthetic Nostalgia Limited Edition Collection Drop

2026EXHIBITIONSFeatured
·October 2, 2026

2016: Synthetic Nostalgia, Jonathon Downing Solo Exhibition

2026EXHIBITIONSFeatured
·August 10, 2026

Casting The Net: Zahra Almajidi (09.04-10.03)

EXHIBITIONS

2026EXHIBITIONSFeatured
·October 2, 2026

2016: Synthetic Nostalgia, Jonathon Downing Solo Exhibition

2026VISUAL ART
·September 18, 2026

Elmwood Alight 2026

2026EXHIBITIONSFeatured
·August 10, 2026

Casting The Net: Zahra Almajidi (09.04-10.03)

November 2026
14 Nov

Closing Reception 2016: Synthetic Nostalgia

Saturday, PLAYGROUND DETROIT
EVENT DETAIL
No event found!

EVENTS

EVENTS
·October 23, 2026

Opening Reception 2016: Synthetic Nostalgia

EVENTS
·October 5, 2026

Elmwood Alight 2026

EVENTS
·October 4, 2026

Season Fair 2026

EVENTS
·September 26, 2026

Artist Talk: Zahra Almajidi on “Casting the Net”

EVENTS
·September 20, 2026

Workshop: Make Your Own Charms with Zahra Almajidi

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INSTAGRAM FEED

playdetroit

GAME ON 🏀 Synthetic Nostalgia Collection is now a GAME ON 🏀

Synthetic Nostalgia Collection is now available. 

🔜 From the court to your everyday rotation. Introducing the Limited-Edition “2016: Synthetic Nostalgia” collection by artist Jonathon Downing, now available.

Featuring his painting, “Center Court” as a collectible basketball (Edition of 10) along with limited-edition tees in black and white, this drop brings together art and the love of the game.

Limited quantities available. Once they’re gone, they’re gone. 🏀⛹🏽 (Size S-XXL). 

Shop the collection now at shop.playgrounddetroit.com or pick up in the gallery. Open Thursday- Saturday from 12-5PM. 

#LimitedEdition #SyntheticNostalgia #JonathonDowning #DetroitArt #Streetwear
🔥Celebrating Jonathon Downing’s solo exhibition, 2 🔥Celebrating Jonathon Downing’s solo exhibition, 2016: Synthetic Nostalgia opening reception in his hometown of Detroit, MI. 

Thank you to everyone who came out to meet the artist, and get their hands on limited-edition merch! 🏀⚡

Missed the opening? There’s still time to experience the exhibition, now on view through November 14

Visit the gallery Thursday–Saturday from 12–5PM.

Limited-edition t-shirts and basketballs are available online with local pick-up in the gallery, grab yours while you can.

#PLAYGROUNDDETROIT #SyntheticNostalgia #JonathonDownings #DetroitArt #Detroitartgallery
Made famous by celebrities such as Kylie Jenner (@ Made famous by celebrities such as Kylie Jenner (@kyliejenner), Snapchat (@snapchat) unveiled their iconic Coachella flower crown filter on April 15th, 2016, six months before the mannequin challenge took the Internet by storm on October 12th, 2016.

Downing’s glossy oil painting and glitches highlight the widely-adopted artificial filters that now appear regularly online, influencing contemporary beauty standards and proliferation of trending viral challenges. 

Artwork: “Still Life,” Oil on Stretched Canvas, 30 x 40 x 1.5 inches, 2026

OPENING RECEPTION
Saturday, October 17 from 6-9PM

“2016: Synthetic Nostalgia,” is Jonathon Downing’s solo exhibition, examining the year remembered through personal memory and its defining imagery.

#JonathonDowning #SyntheticNostalgia #2016 #playgrounddetroit
MEET JONATHON DOWNING Jonathon Downing (b. 1997) MEET JONATHON DOWNING 

Jonathon Downing (b. 1997) is an oil painter whose portraits craft conversations about public image and internal truth through the lens of those who idolize athletes, celebrities, and cultural tastemakers. 

He created his unique aesthetic while studying at the University of Michigan (2020), and continues to refine the process of digital photo montage and realistic painting.

Although raised and residing in Metro Detroit, the subjects he paints exist in an alternate reality where human beings are monstrous amalgamations of portraiture. Surprisingly organic and honest, these portraits simultaneously depict idolized figures and those who project meaning onto them, promoting deeper observation in order to fully form a hypothesis on each character’s backstory and present emotions. 

“2016: Synthetic Nostalgia,” his solo exhibition, examines the year remembered through personal memory and its defining imagery, opening on Saturday, October 17 from 6-9PM. On view through November 14.

📸: @natborovec

#JonathonDowning 
#oilpainting 
#contemporaryoilpainting 
#playgrounddetroit
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PLAYGROUND DETROIT is a Contemporary Detroit art gallery and event venue. Explore original artwork and limited edition prints by emerging artists.

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