Yes, I'm also fascinated by abandoned and decrepit places, and I have not entirely been able to articulate why that is. I was struck by your comment that Ballard considered the deserted casino more real and more meaningful than when it was in operation. As you say, there is a powerful element of mystery.
I wonder if our fascination also reflects an underlying reaction against ordinary life, a wish for the usual rules to be suspended, a desire to be outside of social norms?
Abandoned places also have elements in common with churches: solitude, silence, reminders of the cycle of life and death.
I agree with you - the frisson you get from a decrepit building does have something to do with solitude and silence. You've made me think... it would be quite an interesting exercise to experience noisy and quiet abandoned buildings, to find out how sound(s) affect the human connection to place.
Good idea. I remember walking into a decrepit, empty building on an industrial estate, and a workman's radio was blaring out at full blast even though there seemed to be nobody there. I felt a very definite sense of the building being in a state of transition.
I've come across a number of stories (podcasts, fiction, and nonfiction) in the past month which focus on one house and its inhabitants. A home is a lovely container metaphor, isn't it? I'm also reminded of @Christopher Brown who has a fabulous new book A NATURAL HISTORY OF EMPTY LOTS which I found fascinating.
As a structural engineer there's nothing I like more than 'poking' around decrepit (and not so decrepit!) buildings. If one takes a while to study the details, the materials and workmanship, then a history of sorts will present itself, in many cases this is almost palpable ! I'm a huge fan of Ballard, and Shanghai is one of my favourite cities for it's special architecture and its rich and seedy history. Thankfully, despite much redevelopment, many old structures remain, even the old dens of iniquity !
I'm pleased to bring you a bit of Ballard, since he's a favourite! And good to know that some of the old buildings remain.
The bones of a building are revealed when it starts to deteriorate and I find it so interesting. When I restored and converted an old barn for human habitation I secreted a time capsule in the wall. I would love to think it will provide someone, one day, with a glimpse of what life was like in the 2000s.
I love abandoned places, that are not totally dilapidated. And of course, pyramids are 'abandoned' places, so maybe that's a trend of mine. Very interesting post, Yasmin.
Thanks Jeanine. I hadn't thought about pyramids being 'abandoned' but, of course, you are right. They are abandoned places, and perhaps we can think of all tombs this way.
A few years ago I visited a place with broken windows. Inside the paint was peeled and the rooms dark despite the remnants of what was bright southwest paint. I knew the history of this abandoned building and stood in the main room, squatted to listen to conversations long forgotten and the scent of chocolate cake.
Do abandoned places hold emotional value for you?
Yes, I'm also fascinated by abandoned and decrepit places, and I have not entirely been able to articulate why that is. I was struck by your comment that Ballard considered the deserted casino more real and more meaningful than when it was in operation. As you say, there is a powerful element of mystery.
I wonder if our fascination also reflects an underlying reaction against ordinary life, a wish for the usual rules to be suspended, a desire to be outside of social norms?
Abandoned places also have elements in common with churches: solitude, silence, reminders of the cycle of life and death.
Caroline, thank you for your comment.
I agree with you - the frisson you get from a decrepit building does have something to do with solitude and silence. You've made me think... it would be quite an interesting exercise to experience noisy and quiet abandoned buildings, to find out how sound(s) affect the human connection to place.
Good idea. I remember walking into a decrepit, empty building on an industrial estate, and a workman's radio was blaring out at full blast even though there seemed to be nobody there. I felt a very definite sense of the building being in a state of transition.
I've come across a number of stories (podcasts, fiction, and nonfiction) in the past month which focus on one house and its inhabitants. A home is a lovely container metaphor, isn't it? I'm also reminded of @Christopher Brown who has a fabulous new book A NATURAL HISTORY OF EMPTY LOTS which I found fascinating.
Thanks, Jill, the container is a great metaphor... so empty, yet full, of potential.
And I'll look up the book you mention as well.
Thanks for the recommendation, it looks interesting.
I recently wrote about urban decay at https://www.juke.press/p/decay-a-creative-prompt. Decrepit building and places fascinate me. Thanks for reminding me to keep looking.
Thanks Fran. I loved reading your creative prompt.
As a structural engineer there's nothing I like more than 'poking' around decrepit (and not so decrepit!) buildings. If one takes a while to study the details, the materials and workmanship, then a history of sorts will present itself, in many cases this is almost palpable ! I'm a huge fan of Ballard, and Shanghai is one of my favourite cities for it's special architecture and its rich and seedy history. Thankfully, despite much redevelopment, many old structures remain, even the old dens of iniquity !
Hi Ben.
I'm pleased to bring you a bit of Ballard, since he's a favourite! And good to know that some of the old buildings remain.
The bones of a building are revealed when it starts to deteriorate and I find it so interesting. When I restored and converted an old barn for human habitation I secreted a time capsule in the wall. I would love to think it will provide someone, one day, with a glimpse of what life was like in the 2000s.
Lucky you, getting to poke around decrepit buildings for your day job!
I love abandoned places, that are not totally dilapidated. And of course, pyramids are 'abandoned' places, so maybe that's a trend of mine. Very interesting post, Yasmin.
Thanks Jeanine. I hadn't thought about pyramids being 'abandoned' but, of course, you are right. They are abandoned places, and perhaps we can think of all tombs this way.
Yes, I guess so. There are so many ancient places in MX where things are left as they were.
A few years ago I visited a place with broken windows. Inside the paint was peeled and the rooms dark despite the remnants of what was bright southwest paint. I knew the history of this abandoned building and stood in the main room, squatted to listen to conversations long forgotten and the scent of chocolate cake.
A lovely piece of reminiscence, Stacy. Such buildings deserve our attention.
Or at the very least the remembrance of their significance.