The King of Dead Shopping Malls

DIXIE SQUARE MALL IN HARVEY, IL has been abandoned since 1979, coming up on 30 years now. Take a look at how nature reclaims the folly of man. I discovered this incredible story thanks to my friend Howard, who introduced me to the web site of The Center for Land Use Interpretation. There, I discovered this place, the oldest abandoned shopping mall in the United States. One year after it closed, the mall was used as a location for “The Blues Brothers” film, perfect for the scenes of police cars driving through the stores and walkways. It’s odd that the buildings have not been demolished or even an attempt at reuse since that time. New growth forest is overtaking the site, and the buildings are surrendering to the harsh midwestern winters, vandalism and neglect.

To visit the abandoned site, drive onto or take photographs, you must get permission from the Harvey Police Department. They can be reached at: 708.210.5200

Harvey, IL is 20 miles south of Chicago.

More information: Dead Mall

Reposted from December 15, 2008

Altered States

(Above) Untitled (Wild purple face with Bible and rosary), 2004-05; 7 x 5 inches
(Above) Untitled (Baby in woman's arms looking at 2 funny looking women), 2004-05;
3-1/2 x 4 inches
(Above) Untitled (Dangerous boy with soccer ball), 2004-05; 3-1/2 x 3-1/2 inches
(Above) Untitled (The unexpected meal), 2004-05; 2-1/2 x 3-1/2 inches
(Above) Untitled (A scary playmate), 2004-05; 3 x 4 inches

PHILIPPE JUSFORGUES is a 40-year old French artist represented by several galleries in the United States, including the Stephen Daiter Gallery in Chicago and the Morehouse Gallery in Brookline, MA. Philippe is a master at transforming found photographs into something surreal, sometimes bizarre, or comical. His work extends deeper than this series of 5, so if you are interested, more can be found on his website by clicking here. Brush up on your French!

The images above from The Morehouse Gallery, are one of a kind and range in price from $800 to $1,000 dollars each (as available).

Reposted from 2009.

Loretta Lux: It’s the EYES!

I LOVE the photographs of Loretta Lux. Born in 1969 in Dresden, Loretta is red hot in the photo world. Six years ago (2005) she received the International Center of Photography’s very prestigious Infinity Award for Art. Her carefully composed photographs are unsettling, perfectly arranged with nothing left to chance. Her use of Photoshop is widely discussed, yet when asked, she (and her dealer) say that the technique is not open for discussion. That’s OK with me. The photographs in person are incredible. Children are by far her favorite subject, except her children exist as emotionless automatons you just don’t feel a desire to hug.

Learn more at: (www.lorettalux.de) or at Yossi Milo Gallery (www.yossimilo.com) in New York.

"Boy in Blue Raincoat" 2001 Ilfochrome print, © Loretta Lux, VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn

"The Drummer" 2004 Ilfochrome print, © Loretta Lux, VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn

"Portrait of Antonia" 2007 Ilfochrome print, © Loretta Lux, VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn

Reposted from 11/18/08.

Spirit Photography: “Granny, Are You Here?”

The late 19th century saw a rise in spiritualism in the United States and the world. Indeed, even Mrs. Abraham Lincoln was convinced that ghosts and spirits existed and this, in part, fueled others in similar beliefs. Photography at the time was still rather unaccessible and misunderstood by the ordinary citizen, their images usually taken by photographers in studios. Enter the dishonest photographer to the popular spiritual seance scene, and an opportunity for a past buck appeared. These unscrupulous photographers would bring a person into their "spiritual studio" and a "mock" seance was performed. Of course, when the photo was taken, the victim paid the money and instructed to come back the next day to see "what may have materialized." What seems almost comical today was believed by many as revealing of long lost ancestors, or other ghosts that happened to be around them. With a simple dodge and burn technique coupled with the merging of another portrait or two to the sitters original—and voila! an industry was born. Today, these fake spirit photos are quite rare, and, if you can find one, often sell for hundreds of dollars. See an exhibition here.

TOP: ANON: 19th century; Private Collection of Andrew Daneman; © Andrew Daneman Collection of American Tintypes

BOTTOM: ANON: 19th century; c. 1870; Private Collection of Andrew Daneman; © Andrew Daneman Collection of American Tintypes

For more information on this subject, see the online exhibition Ghosts, Apparitions, Angels, Spiritual Visitations and Views of the Future on: www.luminous-lint.com

Or, check out this book: The Perfect Medium: Photography and the Occult by Clemont Cheroux, Pierre Apraxine, Andreas Fischer, Denis Canguilhem and Sophie Schmit, (Yale University Press, 2004)

Reposted from November 2008