i have written and re-written this so many times... in the past few years. This small text touches on some of my hopes, and ideas i've held on to consistently. I want the images to speak for themselves. but incase that is not enough for you, read this.
For the past 7 years i have been documenting life in detroit.
-I have photographed over 40 abandoned buildngs, comercial, industrial, and residential spaces.
-I have amassed over 10,000 images,
- I have scaled walls, escapped wild dogs, spent nights without sleep
-I have traveled these streets by foot, bike, car whatever it has taken to capture photographss of every human emotion, in a city facing major struggles.
- I have tried to collect a series of images that tell a true story; one full of hope and life in a very misunderstood place.
Eventually I would like to collect these photographs and stories into a book, which will document the years i have spent here.
I am a visual artist and who is trying to use my tools, these photographs, to bring positive change to this city.
Some call Detroit the most modern City in the world. a predicition of the future of all cities; based on the fact that more cities are losing population then gaining(according to the Shrinking Cities Studies initiated by the Federal Culture Foundation, Germany, in cooperation with the Gallery for Contemporary Art Leipzig, Bauhaus Foundation Dessau and the Journal Archplus). Between 1950 and 2003 Detroit lost half of it's poulation (-50.2%) while the sorrunding areas grew 171.3%. We are losing people at a rate of about 2 people per day. 10 years ago detroits average income was half that of the suburbs and in 2002, 26.1% of detroits inhabitants lived below the poverty level.
Looking over the press releases for the study which included a series of books, essays (which i highly recommend downloading from the website) and a traveling exhibition, It claimed of all cities (in the world) Detroit has the most striking architecture of abandonment... with one third of the city derelict. It says "visitors should Prepare themselves for dystopian scenery".
HOWEVER,
I see a different city every day I walk out my door. I want to show a different picture of what has been left behind in modern Detroit and the people who are here making a difference.
Things like my nieghboors walking their dogs, and people helping each other at the bike shop don’t make national headlines. But together not only can we make this city the place we want to live, we can show the world that even though some left, what remains is strong, young and putting up a fight.
Many programs/groups are taking advantage of this cities negatives, and turning them into positives. These projects are reusing existing spaces, haboring community, and creating self sufficiency, as well as new forms of labor. They are promoting youth synergies and keeping people active in the city.
Another side to the revitalization of Detroit is the power housed in its vibrant underground culture. This city has a strong tradition of creating unique visuals and sounds that can be seen and heard around the globe, from Motown to electronic music these art froms are bred from Detroits streets and smoking sewers.
-late night parties in unsanctioned venues
-street festivals
-alley cat bike races
-local bars
-and art galleries
are acting as hubs where youth can meet, and network. Some of these events draw hundreads of people, often heavily influenced by art, fashion and music, overall creating life in a place many hve tried to forget. Movements like this have already revitalized cities such as Brooklyn and Venice beach, and it was through documtation that their culture was exposed on a national scale.
A question I am still asking myself is how to harness all of this energy?
... and i don't know the answer...thats for you to decide. you as an active viewer, citizen, human bieng, the world is yours to be made, seen, imagined however you like. the only thing we can do is make change happen, slowly, one day at a time.
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