Design Observer :: Join the Discussion http://places.designobserver.com/feature/detroit-as-is-photographs/37544/ en-us Design Observer Group 2012-12-15T11:12:25-05:00 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/1.0
Take another look at the essay, and I think you'll find that "repair" and "revitalization" are clearly represented through families fixing up homes, starting businesses, maintaining longstanding firms and working to improve their communities. The essay doesn't sugar coat the city's story, but it makes clear that Detroit has a past, present and future.]]> http://places.designobserver.com/feature/detroit-as-is-photographs/37544/#comments 2012-12-15T11:12:25-05:00 The fact is, Detroit is one of the few cities that didn't diversify it's economy very well--not the norm for America--all of its chips where in the car industry. But it still has other businesses. Other cities in America continue to thrive based on being able to adapt--new technology, new business, new economies.
These images reflect our cultural obsession with decay, reflecting our fear of death.
If we are going to focus on Detroit (and not, say, Cleveland, Pittsburg, Memphis, St. Louis or any city) we should at least try to find out who is trying to revitalize it. Or at least give a broader impression of what Detroit is, not only seeking out the "beauty in the death." Or we can just reinforce the impression that this is a place beyond repair, lost forever. ]]> http://places.designobserver.com/feature/detroit-as-is-photographs/37544/#comments 2012-12-06T17:30:28-05:00