DETROIT - THE LOST CITY

So we've always had this fascination with Detroit. It's a strange one - something about the derelict suburbs, urban exploration and all the complete decline of population, leaving decay upon the city. 

We posted a while ago, these images that were discovered from Cass Tech High School, detailing the dramatic effect the economy had on this construction and essentially demolished the school, leaving ghostly outlines of adolescence. The images circulated wildly on the internet, promoting those of adventurous souls to capture and document the city and it's terrible rot into the 21st century. 

We watched Lost River the other night too, Ryan Goslings directing debut with a smashing cast and dreamy Drive-esque soundtrack from Chromatics. Listen, you'll be pleasantly surprised. Anyway the film is too realistic to some worlds and it encounters this suburban neighbourhood, on the edge of being 'damned' into a lost river. The citizens have moved away, there are no jobs and the slightly Twin Peakness of it all has hit the roof and next thing you know, Eva Mendes is showcasing some fetish-feline act towards the big city players, which hauntingly echo's that of the Laura Palmer theory behind those red curtains. It's pretty much like a sweaty nightmare - you know. Plus Matt Smith's in it too and performs a pretty shocking opposition to his well known Dr Who role (we didn't believe it was him, IMDB'ing instantly took place to clarify). 

So this fictional town, demolished and brutalized by society recalled all this research from Detroit. Now they say Detroit is on the up again, though almost 30% of it's current population are still unemployed. The 19th century, 8 bed mansions, dusty swimming pools and boarded up 7/11's can be revived once again, but it doesn't stop one thinking of the exploration and the deterioration that caused this once, vibrant city. 

Detroit was the hub of the motor industry back in the early 1900's thanks to the foundation of Ford and it's manufacturing and growth of industrial employment. It was known as the 'Paris of the mid-west' and was just booming with life, tourism and bussle. The city now hosts over 78,000 abandoned buildings after it's great depression and it's slowly taking off the band-aids to a rebounded, re-structured type of civilization. 

A while back we stumbled across photographer Philip Jarmain who's subject of 'American Beauty' heavily focuses on the decline of Detroit and it's aftermath of destruction. Jarmain states: 

“These are the last large format architectural photographs for many of these structures.”

Could the landscape of Detroit relish with the tourism from these ruins? This is an ongoing project, more to come. 


Words - Anna Jenkins
Images - Philip Jarmain & visual from Lost River, c/o The Film Stage. 

NYC

A little late but I went on a little vacation last month to New York & Brussels. I had only been to New York one month before 9/11 and it had been a connecting flight to visit the family in Colorado one summer. New York was beautiful. We stayed central for 5 days, toured the apple, got lost in Times Square, drank endless cocktails in BB Kings Bar, attempted portions of food that even I thought, was unrealistic and ventured out into the avenues and streets that hold hidden gems of flea markets and never ending poodle owners. The city was perfect, the expense of staying there unless commuting over the Hudson River would be challenging, but then any city is. Fall was a little late, Central Park was still awash in green and only a little breeze at the top of the Empire State hinted that summer had ended. Though it rained at the beginning of our trip, the city still held this sole presence, intimidating skyscrapers and little haunts down alleys of dated diners with gigantic pickle bars and waitresses with strong Italian roots. The stereotype of the Vinnies, the fat tony's and the true gangs of New York is not a misconception but only a minor interpretation of some of the communities I came across. Our bus tour guide even said ' We aint goin t'Queens today folks. Too many people gettin shot at and no one's carin'. He was kidding, kinda.

We did some research and stumbled across 'Hells Kitchen' a vintage flea Market that happens every Sunday. It had to be the best market I had ever been too. Endless supplies of brooches, garms, jewels, vintage porn, JFK memrobilia, faux fur, real fur, fixie bikes, records, furniture- everything. I got a $10 Levi Redtab, some $1 brooches and the boy a baseball jacket for his birthday which smelt like it had been through a few decades of fun. My mum bought some vintage porn and LIFE magazines on JFK, pristine for viewing and a beautiful collection of photographs, documenting the Kennedies and his last days.

Walking round New York, it's still haunting to be reminded of 9/11. It's clear to see that the city is still healing from such a disaster. Citizens walk round with t-shirts illustrating the fireman and patriotic slogans, representing the tragedy. Ground Zero was a lot smaller than I thought it would be, yet walking around Broadway, you feel this eerie sense, like your lost. When downtown, the buildings are so high they block out the sun and although spectacular, you can't help but feel caved into this new little man-made world.

Getting caught up in the Occupy Wall Street Protests

I got lost on one of the days looking for the Supreme and Mishka stores. I think Mishka was in Brooklyn, I had no idea. I walked about 50 blocks in my blazers and was bleeding furiously by the end but it was still such a calm and peaceful stroll. I stumbled across these little neighbourhoods, full of pugs and vegan cafes. Nice to see America held some sort of vegetarian optional areas. ( I have decided the UK is the best for veggie food, though I've still only witnessed like 8% of the world or something pathetic) I accidentally ate a Turkey burger in this (still) amazing restaurant called Bear Burger. The waitress didn't understand my accent and after not eating meat for about 17 years now, I could only politely spit it into a napkin. But I still ate fried gherkins and the biggest onion rings, larger than my head.

So after New York we head to Brussels for a show for a couple of days. Jet lagged and confused by such a short trip over the pond (5 hours..) we stayed at this amazing hotel which served a breakfast, true European style and each room was catered towards a part of the world. We braved the bitter air on the cobbled streets on the last day to explore what Brussels really had to offer. Visually and historically beautiful, the place is made of Chocolate. Beautiful patisseries and chocolate boutiques, it was like that Simpsons episode where Homer dances round his daydream of eating a town made of chocolate. Brussels is slightly dated however. All those shops from the 1990's that everybody has forgotten about still exist out there and every other shop was a HnM. But the place was still beautiful and our hotel in which our suite was 'Marrakesh' made me want to stay longer.

I need another little trip abroad now.

PARIS

A view on the Eurostar, Paris was in full bloom of spring . 2 hours from a grey duvet over London. So Paris last week was beautiful. Me and the boy cotched in Jaudres and just explored and lost ourselves in the wonders of the enticing city. I needed a break so much, It made me realise how much I am in need of a good travel- some new scenery, a new culture. Finding difficulty through translation is only an urge to want to feel more European! Visiting Paris, meeting fellow Parisians and stumbling across underground spots such as Bercy skate park, contemporary illustration exhibitions, drum and bass cellars and hours worming through the metro made me get city vibes. I'm a rural kid. Born and raised, fields and country lanes but with an urge for more faces, more noise- a bit more life!

Of course, we engaged in a proper tourist status, visiting Notre Dame which was beautiful. Europe still holds gothic architecture in prime maintainance, highlighting the history and traditional presence to it's appeal. Walking through Notre Dame and watching mass held a therapeutic surrounding. Everything is so admired, such a culture shock and reality hit compared to my linear routine. After Notre Dame, The Louvre and some expensive but tasteful eating in the city, we ventured to some hidden streets in Bastille to uncover some affordable vintage shops. American-inspired, this amazing shops was covered floor to ceiling in fur, double denim, Levi and Burberry galore. I purchased a see through, patterned white blouse ( unknown designer) and some vintage cut Levi shorts ( much needed) , both for 30e!

OH and the Vans shop in Bastille. Love Love Love.

So many writers in Paris. It seems more liberal, every van had been attacked and a territory had been marked by the European kids. We went to Barcy to do some reaches at the skate park. After heading to All City to get some tins, we weren't prepared to get arrested in France so we headed for the legal spots- though, the whole city was like this 'legal' bubble. Art seems to be praised in places like Paris & Berlin, while the Kingdom holds this clean and conservative approach to our streets.

Can't remember the shop, but they had an exhibition on New Era Hats. All weirdly and creatively molded. One looked like it was made of sugar.

And this one looked like a cupcake. Boom.

After lots of drinks with friends and a dodgy pina colada in a Jazz bar in Palais Royale, we decided amongst the 2am hectic crowds to have some of this bad boy ice cream that we stumbled across. Feeling sick already, I had Nutella Chocolate and Snickers flavour. Drunk and amazing flavours, perfect combo.

Oh! Bring me back, you beautiful city.

TRIPPING

GOOD MORNING JAPAN.

I have been researching flights, culture, EVERYTHING about Japan. I don't know why. I have no $ and can't even afford a trip to the cinema let alone leave the Kingdom. There is just something that is pulling me in and really wanting to go there. Avoid high polluted tourist trap area's and focus on the lands of sakura tree's, scenic architecture and cucumber flavour kit-kats. I just need a positive culture change. Life is too short on this baby marble.

H ST

San Francisco <3 br=""> Been to this beautiful city a few times now and living so far away in the small Kingdom, I miss it. Me and the boy have been talking about Haight St one of the most cultured streets in the world and as I remember it's like a different world. It spurred a revolution of liberating movement back in the naughty 60's and still holds this essence of spiritual ambiance today. Hello, I would like to own a diner and raise my family on this street please.