Derelicte - Detroit Disassembled

Today I'm posting a little more derelicte goodness that I came across on Sean Woolsey's site (more here) because you know me, once I get something in my head, it tends to stay there until something shiny distracts m...

Ooooh photos!

But seriously, le gasp. These heartbreaking neglected interiors are from “Detroit Disassembled," a book that thanks to Sean I am now completely obsessed with obtaining, but possibly not if it costs this much...oh alright, there's a $51 version too!

Nevertheless, this is the kind of ArchiPhotography that not only tugs at my heartstrings, but that also ignites in me the desire to respect, refurbish and restore...though quite possibly with all the layers in tact, including every single layer of graffiti! Anyone who has had the pleasure of visiting the Brisbane Powerhouse will know that I mean!

So Car City, I hope you know that despite your recent struggles, we still love you. A lot.


xx Kit

P.S. Just found this review and was struck by the inclusion of the term 'glimmer of hope' - for the sake of these beautiful buildings of Detroit, I'm so glad it's not just me who sees the potential or the promise. Rock on, Detroit!

Admit One

Whilst I was foraging around for photos to go with my little To Build a House post, I came across some amazing images that I just couldn't keep to myself. I could probably do a weeks worth of posts on the abandoned houses alone, but my favourite images are of deserted theme parks. How anyone could walk away from a theme park and never turn back, I'll never know.

My absolute favourite deserted theme park (yes, there are many to chose from!) is this one in Tohoku, Japan.

The mist. The rollercoaster. I have no words, but I want to be there.

The ferris wheel is fantastic too, kind of satisfying to see nature making its mark. Maybe I'm morbid, and maybe I have an unhealthy disrespect of phrases like "health and safety", but I think an abandoned theme park would be an epic venue for an epic party. Halloween is the obvious choice, a little too obvious perhaps. Maybe for a super quirky wedding.

But wait, there's more!

This park in Ohio looks a little less amenable to parties - nature is definitely winning the battle here. The photos are from over 11 years ago, and I haven't been able to track down anything more recent. Any people from the Great Lakes region reading? I would love to know how time is treating this abandoned gem.

This ferris wheel is definitely fighting a losing battle.

And the last of my favourite abandoned theme parks is this one in South Korea. Perhaps not quite as enigmatic without the mist and the overgrown vines, but how can you resist a girl with a lollipop?!

Maybe I have a dark sense of humour, but this last picture had me in stitches. Then again, maybe I'm just easily amused. Which probably goes a long way to explaining my love of amusement parks. I LOVE dodgem cars (a rare opportunity for me to flaunt my aggressive driving skills!), but there's nothing quite like a rollercoaster. What are your favourite ride? Are you a carousel girl, a ferris wheel peruser, or a flat out adreneline junkie like me?

[Images from Spiral Ruins (I think? That's what Google Translate tells me) and Dark Roasted Blend via Web Urbanist]

To Build a Home

I think I may have found the most beautiful song in the world. And when I say found, I really mean I saw it on Grey's Anatomy, and then in this ad...

I was so enamoured the first time I saw this ad, then so disappointed when it was for Schweppes. Actually, the first few times I saw the ad, I kept expecting it would suddenly be for something better by the end, so I had a little Groundhog Day disappointment over and over when it wasn't. I still don't really see the connection, but I can't help but love the ad (it has balloons in it, I can't resist!) It actually makes me a little teary every time I see it...it's a soda ad for heavens sakes!

The song is by no means new of course, it's from a 2007 album by The Cinematic Orchestra. The song itself is called To Build a Home, and features a very talented Canadian lad Patrick Watson.

I then made the mistake of looking up the lyrics whilst I watched/listened to this live performance. And then I got all teary again. And goosebumps. So I just have to share the beautiful lyrics with you, along with the equally beautiful images I thought of as I listened to this gorgeous song. I suggest hitting play on the video above, then scrolling down slowly to follow along with the song. But make sure you're wearing waterproof mascara.

There is a house built out of stone


Wooden floors, walls and window sills...


Tables and chairs worn by all of the dust...


This is a place where I don't feel alone


This is a place where I feel at home...


And I built a home
For you
For me


Until it disappeared
From me
From you


And now, it's time to leave and turn to dust...


Out in the garden where we planted the seeds

There is a tree as old as me


Branches were sewn by the color of green

Ground had arose and passed it's knees


By the cracks of the skin I climbed to the top


I climbed the tree to see the world


When the gusts came around to blow me down


I held on as tightly as you held onto me

I held on as tightly as you held onto me


And I built a home
For you
For me


Until it disappeared
From me
From you


And now, it's time to leave and turn to dust........

Dagnammit, where are my tissues? If the song wasn't so beautifully depressing, it would be so lovely for a wedding. Especially if it was a wedding with water bombs that sailed across the air in extreme slow motion. And especially if it was Meredith and Derek's wedding, if that ever happens. If you didn't read my initial comments or watch the first video, you'll have no idea what I'm talking about. But that's ok, neither do I.

Anyhoo, thank you to the lovely Ineke for letting me share her beautiful photos with you all. She photographs abandoned castles, mansions, farm houses, asylums and hospitals, and as someone commented on her Flickr page, she is able to write poems without words. I'm inclined to agree.