An Imaginary City, 50 Years in the Mapping

Over his 72 years, Jerry Gretzinger has lived many lives. He’s worked as an architect’s assistant in Ann Arbor, cataloged ancient mosaics on North African archaeological digs, volunteered for the Peace Corps, and designed upcycled women’s clothing in New York City.

Now back in his home state of Michigan, Gretzinger is an internationally exhibiting artist, renowned for his 1,500-square-foot map of a totally imaginary city. The recognition is new, but “Jerry’s Map,” as it’s called, isn’t. Gretzinger began working on it in 1963, and after an interlude in the ‘80s and ‘90s, he’s still going. Combining elements of urban planning, fine art, and the reuse of old materials, the work manifests Gretzinger’s varied experiences in a medium he’s always loved.