Beautiful Decay

Is that an oxymoron? Is there such a thing as "beautiful decay?"

Nothing pains me more than watching old buildings being demolished. Abandoned homes. Theaters. The most beautiful architecture is being replaced with, in most cases, cheesy modern structures, strip malls and the like.

So tell me, why do I see some sort of beauty in these images? Do you? Perhaps it's the photography, or is there some sort of beauty in decay?

Some of these images are from Beauty of Decay; a special photo community site dedicated to all who are addicted to urban exploration and art. Its main focus is not the location itself, but the outstanding photos.

Most of our communities have preservation groups where we can donate money or volunteer our time to protect, preserve and celebrate the beautiful workmanship of the past. Let's keep the beauty alive before it becomes decay...

Cheers to the wonderful photographers! 1. never ends 2. Rosita Moerkens 3. Roman Solowiej 4. Raymond Larose 5. Diane dc 6. Jon DeBoer 7. Daniel Cheong 8. Alain Dejealfve 9. Rosita Moerkens 10. Sven Fennema 11. antitude 12. Noel Kerns

The Most Ornate Parking Garage

The former Michigan Theater in Detroit (built in 1926) is now an indoor parking garage. That's right. After a period of closures and re-openings, the Michigan Theater was permanently closed and partially demolished in 1976. Due to problems with the structural integrity of adjoining office building, the main hall and lobby were gutted and converted into a parking structure.

The ceiling is still the same, so one can get out of the car, look up and see the gorgeous inlay. Sad isn't it? I just hate to see old buildings destroyed, and yet in some way I appreciate the beauty of it.

image 1; Sean Hemmerle via Pinterest, image 2; Wikepedia

Speaking of Signage...

I just stumbled upon this old photo of my grandfather's camera shop on Post Street in San Francisco. I love the old neon sign.

He retired and closed the shop in 1978 after decades of being part of the downtown scene. In fact, you can see the "retiring" signs in the windows. Now his shop is a "memory" in the Crocker Galleria. Sad but true.