I can here the question mark in your head. But I have a series of photos that I took in Detroit that I would like to share even though it is a subject far from the usual fare at Lost in Arles.
I was moved by my brief time in the Motor City. The push pull energy while questioning, bitter bites of decades decay and small nickel tokens of hope raising up like flags of non-surrender.
It is an American dilemma.
There are a whole lot of symbols out there.
I have two more posts that I will share, also on the weekends. Food for thought, food for compassion hopefully. But if it is not your cup of brew, there is no judgement in that too.
Wishing you all well. Let’s keep our eyes open.
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Sobering. Thank you for posting these photos. We have friends whose creative, talented son, a writer, just moved there and is loving it. A sign of hope? A romantic twist, he rented a space for writing in a renovated warehouse and fell in love with his neighbor, another artist. Let's have more good Detroit stories! Wanda
How moving. I've never been to Detroit but having seen photos, I really get a sense that the city encompasses so much of the hardship that the US has faced/is facing. Thank you for sharing. It really does leave me with something to thing about.
Bon week-end 🙂
I wasn't expecting this. I guess I feel a mixture of sadness (and shame) Although your shots are beautiful. I guess if we can't do anything…we can at least count our own blessings.
I always feel a sense of worry for America and her people, like a Mum for a child even though she's not mine. Your images tell a poignant story and please never hesitate to share xxx
So sad – preserving the past while creating the future should not be mutually exclusive. Crumbling building are even sadder when they reflect the state of the community. Bon weekend
As one of your commenters said above, I also love decaying cities – with the caveat as long as there is life in them too. They often seem to breed people who are more determined, more inspired, than ones who come from pretty cities where all is swept under the carpet. I hope, and don't doubt really, that Detroit will re-imagine itself into something else, something for the times, and not be consigned to just wishing for what once was.
I thoroughly loved this post (as a bit of roughage in the diet of the beauty of Provence, you could say – it makes for an interesting muesli of life.) xx
I agree with Judith: wherever you take us, we will go. And it is important that more Americans know what has happened and what is happening to Detroit. Thank you, Heather (and Michael Moore)!
VERY sad………it reminds me of old AMERICA.Not that we are that old………..but a time gone by compared to California.
an urban tragedy brought on by a mix of racism and the exodus of whites from downtown, refusal of the auto industry to creatively face and address changing energy issues, both cost and results,pollution and global warming, some might note role of union leaders, perhaps more interested in their power and wealth, and not long term employment of the members, and more. Not only no easy solution, perhaps no solution without brilliant, creative thinking, massive funds, strong residents' involvement and commitment. I am amazed and humbled by those working there, often in small neighborhood efforts: community gardens, children's education, and more. One of their high schools was selected to have President Obama as their commencement speaker. I think I played the student made video about their school, their lives a 100 times. They had faced and dealt with more challenges at 16 than I have in a multi continent development career.