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Abandoned Detroit

Collected by: San Jose State University, School of Information

Archived since: Sep, 2014

Description:

This collection is comprised of a modest sampling of sites that feature images, articles, and commentary reflecting diverse perspectives on photographing Detroit’s urban and industrial ruins. Photographs of abandoned and decaying spaces in Detroit, also known as “ruin porn,” have become the poster child for industrial decline in the United States. The term ruin porn is attributed to James Griffioen, Detroit resident and photographer, who used the term during a 2009 interview with Vice magazine to describe journalists flocking to Detroit following the 2008 financial crisis. Griffioen argued that these journalists neglected the complexity of the city’s economic problems and overlooked examples of health and growth by presenting the images out of context and through a prism of stylized photography to manipulate the narrative that the media presents about the city. As the economic health of Detroit begins to rebound, these discussions will be a part of its history; the possible transformation of these buildings and spaces from ruin to reclamation will make documenting its progression even more important.

Subject:   Arts & Humanities Society & Culture,  Detroit (Mich.) ,  Ruins, Modern Detroit (Mich.)--History Photojournalism Architecture, American Architecture and society Abandoned buildings

Page 1 of 1 (4 Total Results)

Title: Artpod: Art vs. ruin porn

URL: http://michiganradio.org/post/artpod-art-vs-ruin-porn

Description: This site features a podcast and article discussing the use of Detroit's abandoned landscape as the subject of photographic works. Different photographers are interviewed about how and why they use Detroit specifically for their work. Detroit photographers Roman Blanquart and Brian Widdis are also interviewed about their photographic project to counter the photographic obsession with Detroit ruins.

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Subject:   Detroit (Mich.) ,  Ruins, Modern Photojournalism Abandoned buildings Architecture and society

Title: Detroit's Abandoned Ruins Are Captivating, But Are They Bad For Neighborhoods?

URL: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/30/detroit-ruins_n_4519731.html

Description: Since declaring bankruptcy, the city of Detroit has noticed and influx of visitors taking part in various tours of an estimated 78,000 abandoned buildings. However for the residents of Detroit, the blight is just part of the landscape. An estimated fifth of the cars driving through some of the most affluent neighborhoods are now comprised of urban explorers who are both gawking at the ruins and learning about the city’s history. Some city officials call the blight a cancer on the city and are taking measures to demolish or repurpose the dilapidated structures while others are capitalizing on the “ruin porn” phenomenon.

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Subject:   Photojournalism,  Detroit (Mich.) ,  Ruins, Modern Architecture, American Architecture and society

Title: Motown or Ghostown? Ruin Porn In Detroit

URL: http://www.thewire.com/entertainment/2011/01/motown-or-ghostown-ruin-porn-in-detroit/21443/

Description: This document evaluates various treatments/articles devoted to addressing the effects of depicting the post-recession images of Detroit as “ruin porn”. Commentaries explored range from cautionary tales of the city as a microcosm of a systemic crisis to the counterproductive effect that the concept of “ruin porn” has on the people of Detroit, poverty and art as a movement.

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Subject:   Photojournalism,  Detroit (Mich.) ,  Ruins, Modern Architecture, American Architecture and society

Title: Detroitism

URL: https://www.guernicamag.com/features/leary_1_15_11/

Description: This article discusses the rising popularity of the industrial ruins in Detroit and the impacts it has had on the city.

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Subject:   Ruins, Modern,  Detroit (Mich.) ,  Abandoned buildings Photojournalism Architecture and society

Page 1 of 1 (4 Total Results)