In this post, I want to share the timeliness that is essential to my work. As soon as I discover new sites, they seem to disappear. That fear drives my need to capture as many of these places as possible before all is lost. It’s a race against the “homogenizing” of America.
This post is typified with new work by another new St. Louis-based model – Jason.
After working in so many different decaying cities, St. Louis was my most far-reaching Rust Belt destination. I was unaware of the unparalleled history of this city and how it influenced the growth of our country. Filled with many abandonments reminiscent of their past significance, these structures are incredibly grand and elegant. And much of it rots away from apathy.
Jason was a wonderful muse though. He approached each place with an open mind eager to create. And, as with several of my other new models, he was relatively unfazed by the crazy destruction surrounding him.
We worked primarily in schools and churches. You could sense the amount of money and effort that was used to build these structures. I know my high school never had a pool or a fireplace in a oak paneled library!
Jason’s beautiful figure contrasts with these ruins suggesting the youth and vitality of those who built, worked and lived in these halls. He’s a specter of both past and present.
It’s been suggested that I show too much of the environment and not enough of the model. I feel that it is important to show that man AND the location are essential to one another. One creates, the other is the creation. And their coexistence in these pictures offers insight into our lonely disposable world.
This model is an important element in my work. He, along with so many other great models, has welcomed my quirky desire to shoot in these tough architectural settings. As a result, we construct wonderful visuals which have the distinction of being unequaled! I appreciate models like Jason and are immensely grateful for their work. It’s not an easy job.
I end this post with an image emblematic of this continuing pursuit. One of our last locations was an amazing church. Last winter, it burned to the ground. An arsonist or perhaps a homeless person trying to stay warm. Now just a memory.
And the process continues…
Jason is on Instagram @mgreyjason