Senior thesis synopsis 2009-2010

Through exploration and research, I will bring new significance and purpose to things and places that are demolished, ruined, old, and forgotten. I want to show that nothing is useless, and even though it made have been done before, there is always another way to look at things. I know that the world has endless spaces containing these things and places, and that they are still important and have something to give. As the project evolves, I am discovering more and more physical remnants of a human presence that either occupied the space while it was still in use, or that occupy the space now. In exploring and photographing these places and things in this way, I will gain a knowledge of, and appreciation for, things that many take for granted. I hope to learn about new “old” places to research and wander through and all the potential for new significance they have. I want others to learn these things too, because I know that it is important to explore the world and environment we live in.
The research avenues I have taken so far range from simply looking at artists, books, and articles to asking strangers about their experiences with similar structures in and surrounding Cincinnati. A couple books I found most helpful, inspiring and motivating were Vanishing America, which includes works by Michael Eastman, Terra Incognita: Vacant Land and Urban Strategies, by Anne O'M. Bowman, and 

Bringing Buildings Back: From Abandoned Properties To Community Assets, by Alan Mallach.

 I have been shooting on an almost weekly basis and have enjoyed the ritualistic quality it has taken on. I will continue this schedule of shooting, and at the same time begin to make important decisions regarding presentation. I also plan to schedule critiques outside of class to get all the feedback I can get.
Here are some examples of my thesis work so far: