At the end of the XIXth Century, mankind was about to fulfill an old dream. The idea of a fast and autonomous means of displacement was slowly becoming a reality for engineers all over the world. Thanks to its ideal location on the Great Lakes Basin, the city of Detroit was about to generate its own industrial revolution. Visionary engineers and entrepreneurs flocked to its borders.
In 1913, up-‐and-‐coming car manufacturer Henry Ford perfected the first large-‐scale assembly line. Within few years, Detroit was about to become the world capital of automobile and the cradle of modern mass-production. For the first time of history, affluence was within the reach of the mass of people. Monumental skyscrapers and fancy neighborhoods put the city’s wealth on display. Detroit became the dazzling beacon of the American Dream. Thousands of migrants came to find a job. By the 50’s, its population rose to almost 2 million people. Detroit became the 4th largest city in the United States.
The automobile moved people faster and farther. Roads, freeways and parking lots forever reshaped the landscape. At the beginning of the 50’s, plants were relocated in Detroit’s periphery. The white middle-‐class began to leave the inner city and secled in new mass-‐produced suburban towns. Highways frayed the urban fabric. Deindustrialization and segregation increased. In 1967, social tensions exploded into one of the most violent urban riots in American history. The population exodus accelerated and whole neighborhoods began to vanish. Outdated downtown buildings emptied. Within fifty years Detroit lost more than half of its population.
This fascinating photo series is shown for the first time as a solo exhibition in the Netherlands while it is still being widely applauded around the world by public and private collectors. The series was also recently shown at the Kühlhaus in Berlin.
During the exhibition, a selection of photographs will testify with a unique sense of aestheticism of Detroit’s tragic destiny. After playing a unique role in shaping our modern world, the story of “Motor City” reminds us those of the Great Empires: indisputable triumph and fall.
Feel free to stop by and admire this unique view on Detroit.
Until 30 June 2012 at Galerie Fontana Fortuna – Keizersgracht 105
1015 CH Amsterdam- www.fontanafortuna.com
Celine
This is a wonderful event. I really loved the pictures and will go to the exhibition. Thanks for putting it on Tonalités de Femmes. Nicolas.
Wouahou, its so realistic. Thanks for your great pix.