Save Ellis Island







Played hooky from work today to take in an afternoon on Ellis Island. Soon as I found out that they were offering tours of the side of Ellis Island closed to the public, the 2 areas not rehabilitated for public consumption... I was ready to go! Don't get me wrong, Ellis Island is an amazing experience but it's too perfect. Too done. This is history and the areas that show the reality of this history are far more interesting to me. Maybe it's just my Detroit mindset, all those years of running through abandon buildings, but I've had a smile on my face all day. Really great tour - if you are able to get tickets - do! Above are just a few pics form today - I uploaded a ton more to Flickr ==> http://bit.ly/saveellis
Enjoy and let me know what you think!
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Li'l Yellow House in the Prairie.


Canfield, Detroit 2013

Siblings.




I photographed a lot of pointy top buildings this last trip home and am realizing my love of William Christenberry's photographs affected me more then I knew. A year or two ago I found myself studying his work from the south and his correlation of pointy top buildings to the KKK after crashing one of their meetings. Scarred by what he saw, his artwork became haunted by the hooded head of the Klansman. I'm not saying I see that, but I am aware of his story while I'm looking through my photographs from my travels to Detroit. To me, they look like siblings, together holding on as long as they can, the only two left in an area full of Ford plants and industrial complexes.

Burnt Hydrant.



A little piece of what's left in the Delray, July 2011

Detroit Blogger John's Delray story

Juxtapoz Detroit









It was another dreary day in Detroit, but at least it wasn't raining, so I took a ride down to Moran to see the art houses. A group of homes in a neighborhood falling apart with not much to offer more then a dollar store. Created by PowerHouse Productions and funded with help from Juxtapoz Magazine - a project I hope can continue on... small steps of hope in an almost lost community, a community where every step counts.

Here's the story on the homes, process and history from Juxtapoz Magazine.

God Bless America.

Come on in.

This must be the place.

A Drive out East.

I only have an auto for a few more weeks so I'm trying to take advantage of the time not spent in an office. Getting out, driving and trying to find interesting places. Passing by the old Brooklyn Water Works I thought about jumping the fence but it didn't seem as interesting as the old photos. Looked more like a movie set. So I cruised on out along the Montauk Hwy not quite making it anywhere but driving and taking it all in. I remember passing this place years ago and was surprised to see it look the same. Not much in Patchogue seems to have changed. I didn't stay long but maybe another time.