I went up to MCNY last week to check out Ray Mortenson's Broken Glass show-- pictures from the South Bronx circa 1982-1984. Back then every building was abandoned or burning, and documenting the ruins must have felt like an important social project. Fast forward twenty-five years, and abandoned buildings have become an almost extinct species-- demolished or developed as the waves of gentrification rolled far back into each borough. Of course, there are still pockets of decay-- yesterday we saw five or ten empty buildings all within a short walk of the 137th Street station. I wonder what happens now that the real estate bubble has popped-- does the balance tilt back towards the ruins?
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01/12/2009
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Not that abandoned if the lights were on. Gorgeous though.
Posted by: Mike | 01/12/2009 at 10:50 AM
no, it was totally dark-- no electricity. this is a thirty second exposure, and the light is coming through cracks in the boarded-up windows.
Posted by: Jake Dobkin | 01/12/2009 at 10:52 AM
bella...
anzi: stupenda
si riesce quasi a sentire il profumo placido che aleggia nella stanza...
Posted by: Anonymous | 01/12/2009 at 02:04 PM
Nice shot! I don't think any of mine will look this good... shoulda brought a tripod!
Posted by: Nate K | 01/12/2009 at 06:02 PM
..."YEAH"...damn that's good work...
Posted by: alexander | 01/15/2009 at 10:21 AM
This is an amazing picture. I love it. Your adventures are an inspiration.
Posted by: Ed | 02/06/2009 at 05:11 PM
Interesting picture.
This is the Renaissance Theater and Ballroom, we checked it out in November 2007, there was a theater just next to it which was being demolished. I'm surprised the ballroom still standing.
Posted by: Romain | 08/31/2009 at 11:38 PM