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Abandoned

Photography

Haunting Photos of Abandoned Planes in the Middle of Nowhere

By Alison Nastasi on

Wired introduced us to the work of Dietmar Eckell, who photographs abandoned airplanes in remote locations. The haunting images of the metal behemoths sinking into gorgeous, deserted landscapes are dramatic and surreal. The series Happy End started when the artist was researching the “visual disruption of nostalgic technology in endless landscapes,” and continued when he drew a connection between the ghostly planes and the shipwreck/marine paintings of the Romantic period. The aircraft Eckell documented are the relics of forced landings in faraway places (some abandoned now for 10 to 17 years), but thankfully everyone on board survived. The artist wants to share the stories he uncovered in a book he’s currently campaigning to fund. Visit Eckell’s work in our gallery, and head to his Indiegogo page to learn more. … Read More

Art

Abandoned Spaces Reclaimed by Art

By Alison Nastasi on

It’s no secret that we’re big fans of repurposed spaces around here. From bookstores, to libraries, and more, we’re fascinated and enamored with the creative and ingenious ways people have transformed abandoned buildings. We felt compelled to continue our journey through dilapidated houses and deserted structures by exploring the works of artists who have reclaimed crumbling architecture for the sake of social messages, to inspire collective wonder, and to simply give new life to the neglected, decaying spaces. These artists went big and took over entire buildings. Visit abandoned spaces reclaimed by art past the break, and feel free to share your favorites below. … Read More

Architecture

A Photo Survey of Abandoned Record Shops

By Alison Nastasi on

We recently explored a photo survey of video stores that have faded to black since the digital marketplace takeover, which got us thinking about other ephemeral media. Just a few weeks ago it was reported that Times Square record haven Colony Music — founded in 1948, and with an inventory of more than one million LPs — would be closing its doors. Colony is one of many large chain music stores and indie record shops that have called it quits since the rise of high def formats, web retailers, and the popularity of digital downloading. It’s a phenomenon that’s being explored in documentaries like Last Shop Standing — about the rise, fall, and rebirth of indie record shops in the UK — which hits DVD today. (The filmmakers are encouraging audiences to purchase the movie locally.)

If you grew up ritualistically hunting for vinyl or cassettes and relied on knowledgeable record store employees for recommendations à la High Fidelity, you’ve definitely been feeling the pangs of loss as these stores quickly collapse around us. Click through our gallery of abandoned record shops — including several landmark stores — to remember the fine art of crate digging and the passionate music communities that made them awesome. … Read More

Photography

Dreamlike Photos of Abandoned Cars Taken from the Back Seat

By Alison Nastasi on

Alícia Rius’ photos of abandoned spaces peer inside dusty, forgotten worlds where the Spanish-born artist uncovers lost relics. Rius’ latest project, however, takes her to the back seat of rusted-out, deserted cars. “I did not plan this project. I never looked for these cars, and in fact, I think they found me. I wanted to immortalize their beauty and turn them into something romantic,” she recently shared with Junk Culture. It’s clear looking at Rius’ images that the element of discovery and fantasy is important to her process. She keeps a blog that details what appear to be invented stories about her finds. The car photos are no different, as Rius’ intimate perspective creates a vivid narrative for the viewer to play out in their mind. The results are dream-like, particularly since weeds and flowers have reclaimed the metal machines, shrouding them from the world outside. Slide into the back seat past the break, where we’ve also shared a few of Rius’ other works that explore an abandoned eyeglass shop and more. … Read More

Architecture

Underground Architectural Marvels and Oddities Around the World

By Alison Nastasi on

Most people wouldn’t expect to see Romanesque Revival architecture, fancy pants Guastavino tile, and brass chandeliers in a New York City subway station, but the City Hall stop (opened in 1904) along the Lexington Avenue Line features all that and more. Longer trains, longer platforms, and low ridership caused the city to close it off to the public in 1945, but its elegant architecture has endured for over seventy years. You can still catch a glimpse of it while rounding the loop heading back uptown, or during a tour (book ahead). We felt inspired by the ghost station to take a look at other secret stops along the underground: houses, societies, and entire cities. Head past the break to explore unusual underground marvels around the world. … Read More

Photography

Venture Inside of a Creepy Abandoned Doll Factory

By Caroline Stanley on

We don’t know about you guys, but with the possible exception of the Toy Story movies and The Indian in the Cupboard books, we’ve always found the idea of dolls that come to life when no one is looking absolutely terrifying. We blame the bulk of our phobia on Jeff, that freaky mannequin with the hat from Today’s Special who would magically spring to action whenever anyone would say “hocus pocus alimagocus.” And yet we couldn’t help but get sucked in by this photo series shot at an abandoned doll factory in Spain that we spotted over on Environmental Graffiti. There are various scary-looking doll parts strewn everywhere! If you’re feeling brave enough, click through to take a quick tour of the creepy space, which we think could easily serve as the backdrop for the next Saw movie. … Read More