The Beauty of Desolation

For most people these images may be sad, but I find there is something beautiful to forgotten places. I love the patch of concrete where grass is starting to show through the cracks. I love buildings with trees growing through their windows. It reminds me how easily the earth forgets and helps me to feel at ease with a larger universe. I thought I would share some links I've come across lately.

This one is one of my favorites. It shows the city of Ochamchira in Abhkazia. Once a great Soviet city, It saw heavy fighting during the Georgian-Abhkaz conflict that took place in 1992. Most of the population fled and never returned.

http://englishrussia.com/index.php/2010/06/02/welcome-to-abkhazia/#more-13608



These images got me thinking about Detroit. Detroit, having been financially devastated, is ripe with abandoned infrastructure. I've seen a lot of good photography on this subject matter. Here is one image gallery I came across. Do a Google search and you'll find many more.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sweetjuniper/sets/72157603302647339/



Of course no post about forgotten places would be complete without mentioning Chernobyl. I doubt this city needs much introduction.

http://villageofjoy.com/chernobyl-today-a-creepy-story-told-in-pictures/



This is a pretty cool site I found about a woman's travels through Chernobyl and the surrounding area. If you can get past the ninety's aesthetic it's pretty sweet

http://www.kiddofspeed.com/chapter1.html


This is how the earth will unlearn us. It is not sad. It is just nature.