Artist James Griffioen photographs of Detroit show the harsh reality of a city lost and abandoned. Having grown up in Metro Detroit, I am very accustomed to seeing the actuality of these photos in the city. These photos show forgotten buildings fading into the natural world that is taking over abandoned areas of Detroit. I think that this juxtaposition varies from most ‘human vs. nature’ photography that I have seen because instead of vilifying the human, the nature is seemingly taking over the human made world in this series of photos. Grown over shrubbery, fallen trees and buildings being consumed by greenery show the apathy of human engagement in Detroit and in a away takes a look into the future of the city. His photos are futuristic in that they show what is next; a city submerged in its problems, consumed fully by the wrath of hardship. Another project of James Griffioen’s that resonated deeply with me is School Supplies. An eroded warehouse is filled with the debris of books, photos and other teaching and learning supplies. These pictures show ruin and the perpetual destruction of a system at work. If these are the supplies that are made available to the Detroit Public School System, then how is there any way that the kids of Detroit become empowered through education to change the situations of their lives and their city? Griffioen’s photographs ask the hard questions about Detroit that many are too timid to discuss let alone try and solve.
11/30/10 Jackie San Fillipo ADP III- Rotz Weekly Statement
Griffioen’s work is both melancholy and intriguing. I never really thought about the nature that surrounds us having life, but these photographs put that in a new perspective. The shrubbery is so overgrown it appears to be eating the abandoned houses alive. Without human presence, nature seems to take over. It is difficult to determine where the civilized dwelling ends and the woods begin. Green vines and grass have claimed these properties, as if to take them back for their own. It reminds me of the scenes in the movie I Am Legend; a post apocalyptic era in which a virus has basically wiped out humans and cities become a wastelands. Though Griffioen’s images are sad and disturbing because they tell stories of abandonment and loss, they also speak to me of rebirth and hope. There are now tons of abandoned properties all over the US, at least these are decomposing instead of remaining huge cement lots. I only wish that with the hardships we have yet to face with our environment, our damage can somehow be reversed, and nature can recover.
I really liked this image by Griffeon because it kept me wondering when I looked at it. When first looking at this image, it is difficult to tell exactly what it is. At first, I thought that this was a large square shrub, however after looking more closely I was able to see that it was a building being consumed by overgrown plants. I really liked his Feral Houses series because it is showing these abandoned houses becoming a part of their surroundings because they are being taken over by these plants. The images that were most appealing to me were the ones where the plants were growing in and on the houses, because the house become less important than what is growing over them. Although it is tragic how many abandoned homes there are, I thought that many of these images were beautiful. Another series of Griffeon's that was appealing to me was Vernacular Security. These images showed homes that were also abandoned, however it was very different from Feral Houses. These homes have been taken apart by intruders until all of the metal, or anything else of value is gone from the house. The image that stood out to me the most was the white brick house that had writing on the doors. Some of the writing read "will a man rob god? will you rob god? have you robbed god?" This was the only image that directly alluded to this problem, and it was very powerful.
Since I’m from Detroit, I believe I’ve seen most if not all of the pictures of the abandoned homes. It’s very sad to look at but at the same time could be looked at totally different. A few days ago I watched a special on Nation Geographic about how plants will someday take over the world (after humans are no longer on it). Look how close the plants are to completely covering the space that no longer has “life” within it. Somehow plants (weeds) are able to grow in poor conditions. I once saw a tree growing in the living room of an abandoned house. The neighborhood schools series that he did was also something I’d seen before. My high school has yet to have its former building torn down. Now all that remains is about nine floors of wasted space, materials, books, etc. The open fields that are in the “lost neighborhoods” series are scary. For that country-like scenery to be within a city.
My parent originally came from Detroit, and often reflect back on the golden days of the motown city. Visiting frequently as a child and continuing to go to Detroit often I reflect back on the numerous abandoned homes and lots I have seen there in my life time. Looking at these photos from James Griffioen I am saddened by the overwhelming amounts of abandoned homes but looking further I being to see beauty within their photos. Natures overwhelming presence demonstrates how nature was here first and human inhabitants second. It shows that because we can not respect out environment and our homes we do not have the right to obtain them, letting nature take back what was rightfully it own territory
There used to be a house on Mary street that would’ve fit right in with the Feral Houses. I remember walking by and always wondering how a reality company could let one of their houses slip so deeply into the grasp of the surrounding shrubbery. The little property was engulfed to the point where somebody could easily walk right past without giving the slightest notice of the house nestled beyond the forest of ivy. However, one day it was all cleared out and there stood the newly naked residence to the world with all the brush piled up almost as high as the house itself. I wish they hadn’t though, it was a crummy looking exterior that accompanied an even more unattractive structure, in my opinion they were better off letting the house sink into oblivion. The same goes for some of the buildings in the Feral series. I’m sure they looked spick and spam in their prime but I have to say the overgrown look adds an element of character that doesn’t necessarily always take away. I really like the brick building that is coated with ivy on it’s entire right side. The best part is the door is hardly visible but you can tell it might still be in commission. The whole idea of the American dream directly conflicts with all these properties. The clean cut lawns, freshly painted shutters, and white picket fences of the world would be absolutely appalled at the amount of upkeep applied to these once humble abodes. That’s not to say these photos should be used as reference of what not to do, personally I like the solitude and meekness that these properties bear. ¬¬
It is absolutely amazing, for me, to look at the way nature has taken over these houses and buildings. It believe that it is really easy to forget the silent power of nature and flora. It astounds me that so soon after humans abandon their creations, the earth reclaims these areas. All of these homes and buildings are dated by their style and fit into a time period. One can guess the amount of time they have been abandoned, and frankly, it is relatively a short period of time. These buildings have most likely not been abandoned for even one hundred years. Nature so quickly reclaims what we leave behind, and these photos give me hope. In so many classes we learn about the destructive nature of humans, and how we are destroying the planet, but this series gives me hope for the future. I love being able to see how the earth repairs itself. There is reason for hope, and I think we need to give mother earth more credit. Although humans do pollute, destroy, and harm the earth, the earth is still a powerful force to be reckoned with. This series displays that a delicate branch can essentially crack concrete. It’s an amazingly beautiful tension that Griffeon captures. I find these photos optimistic, hopeful, and beautiful.
Caitlin Murphy
ReplyDelete30 November 2010
Weekly Statement
Artist James Griffioen photographs of Detroit show the harsh reality of a city lost and abandoned. Having grown up in Metro Detroit, I am very accustomed to seeing the actuality of these photos in the city. These photos show forgotten buildings fading into the natural world that is taking over abandoned areas of Detroit. I think that this juxtaposition varies from most ‘human vs. nature’ photography that I have seen because instead of vilifying the human, the nature is seemingly taking over the human made world in this series of photos. Grown over shrubbery, fallen trees and buildings being consumed by greenery show the apathy of human engagement in Detroit and in a away takes a look into the future of the city. His photos are futuristic in that they show what is next; a city submerged in its problems, consumed fully by the wrath of hardship.
Another project of James Griffioen’s that resonated deeply with me is School Supplies. An eroded warehouse is filled with the debris of books, photos and other teaching and learning supplies. These pictures show ruin and the perpetual destruction of a system at work. If these are the supplies that are made available to the Detroit Public School System, then how is there any way that the kids of Detroit become empowered through education to change the situations of their lives and their city? Griffioen’s photographs ask the hard questions about Detroit that many are too timid to discuss let alone try and solve.
11/30/10
ReplyDeleteJackie San Fillipo
ADP III- Rotz
Weekly Statement
Griffioen’s work is both melancholy and intriguing. I never really thought about the nature that surrounds us having life, but these photographs put that in a new perspective. The shrubbery is so overgrown it appears to be eating the abandoned houses alive. Without human presence, nature seems to take over. It is difficult to determine where the civilized dwelling ends and the woods begin. Green vines and grass have claimed these properties, as if to take them back for their own. It reminds me of the scenes in the movie I Am Legend; a post apocalyptic era in which a virus has basically wiped out humans and cities become a wastelands. Though Griffioen’s images are sad and disturbing because they tell stories of abandonment and loss, they also speak to me of rebirth and hope. There are now tons of abandoned properties all over the US, at least these are decomposing instead of remaining huge cement lots. I only wish that with the hardships we have yet to face with our environment, our damage can somehow be reversed, and nature can recover.
Lindsay Avino
ReplyDeleteADP III
Weekly Statement
11/30/2010
I really liked this image by Griffeon because it kept me wondering when I looked at it. When first looking at this image, it is difficult to tell exactly what it is. At first, I thought that this was a large square shrub, however after looking more closely I was able to see that it was a building being consumed by overgrown plants. I really liked his Feral Houses series because it is showing these abandoned houses becoming a part of their surroundings because they are being taken over by these plants. The images that were most appealing to me were the ones where the plants were growing in and on the houses, because the house become less important than what is growing over them. Although it is tragic how many abandoned homes there are, I thought that many of these images were beautiful.
Another series of Griffeon's that was appealing to me was Vernacular Security. These images showed homes that were also abandoned, however it was very different from Feral Houses. These homes have been taken apart by intruders until all of the metal, or anything else of value is gone from the house. The image that stood out to me the most was the white brick house that had writing on the doors. Some of the writing read "will a man rob god? will you rob god? have you robbed god?" This was the only image that directly alluded to this problem, and it was very powerful.
Since I’m from Detroit, I believe I’ve seen most if not all of the pictures of the abandoned homes. It’s very sad to look at but at the same time could be looked at totally different. A few days ago I watched a special on Nation Geographic about how plants will someday take over the world (after humans are no longer on it). Look how close the plants are to completely covering the space that no longer has “life” within it. Somehow plants (weeds) are able to grow in poor conditions. I once saw a tree growing in the living room of an abandoned house.
ReplyDeleteThe neighborhood schools series that he did was also something I’d seen before. My high school has yet to have its former building torn down. Now all that remains is about nine floors of wasted space, materials, books, etc. The open fields that are in the “lost neighborhoods” series are scary. For that country-like scenery to be within a city.
My parent originally came from Detroit, and often reflect back on the golden days of the motown city. Visiting frequently as a child and continuing to go to Detroit often I reflect back on the numerous abandoned homes and lots I have seen there in my life time. Looking at these photos from James Griffioen I am saddened by the overwhelming amounts of abandoned homes but looking further I being to see beauty within their photos. Natures overwhelming presence demonstrates how nature was here first and human inhabitants second. It shows that because we can not respect out environment and our homes we do not have the right to obtain them, letting nature take back what was rightfully it own territory
ReplyDeleteBen Paskus
ReplyDeletesection 3
11/29 weekly statement
There used to be a house on Mary street that would’ve fit right in with the Feral Houses. I remember walking by and always wondering how a reality company could let one of their houses slip so deeply into the grasp of the surrounding shrubbery. The little property was engulfed to the point where somebody could easily walk right past without giving the slightest notice of the house nestled beyond the forest of ivy. However, one day it was all cleared out and there stood the newly naked residence to the world with all the brush piled up almost as high as the house itself. I wish they hadn’t though, it was a crummy looking exterior that accompanied an even more unattractive structure, in my opinion they were better off letting the house sink into oblivion. The same goes for some of the buildings in the Feral series. I’m sure they looked spick and spam in their prime but I have to say the overgrown look adds an element of character that doesn’t necessarily always take away. I really like the brick building that is coated with ivy on it’s entire right side. The best part is the door is hardly visible but you can tell it might still be in commission. The whole idea of the American dream directly conflicts with all these properties. The clean cut lawns, freshly painted shutters, and white picket fences of the world would be absolutely appalled at the amount of upkeep applied to these once humble abodes. That’s not to say these photos should be used as reference of what not to do, personally I like the solitude and meekness that these properties bear. ¬¬
Katie Klimkowski
ReplyDeleteADP III
11.30.10
It is absolutely amazing, for me, to look at the way nature has taken over these houses and buildings. It believe that it is really easy to forget the silent power of nature and flora. It astounds me that so soon after humans abandon their creations, the earth reclaims these areas. All of these homes and buildings are dated by their style and fit into a time period. One can guess the amount of time they have been abandoned, and frankly, it is relatively a short period of time. These buildings have most likely not been abandoned for even one hundred years. Nature so quickly reclaims what we leave behind, and these photos give me hope. In so many classes we learn about the destructive nature of humans, and how we are destroying the planet, but this series gives me hope for the future. I love being able to see how the earth repairs itself. There is reason for hope, and I think we need to give mother earth more credit. Although humans do pollute, destroy, and harm the earth, the earth is still a powerful force to be reckoned with. This series displays that a delicate branch can essentially crack concrete. It’s an amazingly beautiful tension that Griffeon captures. I find these photos optimistic, hopeful, and beautiful.