Dk Fliegel

Lost to Time Dk Fliegel

This is a photo book showcasing abandoned places along the east coast. Over the past two years, I have traveled to several states along the east coast to photograph buildings including former mental institutions, hospitals, churches, theaters, and homes. The majority of my photographs were taken in New York, but I have traveled as far as South Carolina for this endeavor. Several of these buildings are on the National Register of Historic Places, an official list compiled by the National Parks Service to denote sites worthy of preservation. Some of these buildings date back to the early-mid 19th century. However, this designation does not afford the sites protection from natural or political elements, and many are left to crumble with time or face imminent demolition. I chose to emphasize public spaces to show what happens when we leave behind places that were once meticulously governed and maintained. Once filled with grandeur, the passage of time and the absence of human influence have left these spaces to the mercy of nature. My photos offer a glimpse into the lives of those that lived before us. It is important to document these sites and remember the traditions and shortcomings of history; especially in the case of mental institutions. While some of these sites speak to a dark past, modern society continues to progress. We have learned from many of our past mistakes in the treatment of the mentally ill, the socialized enforcement of religion, and the rigidity of domestic designations. As a result, I aimed to frame my images with light rather than darkness, focusing on glimpses of exposure, intricate details, and color in eerie yet alluring scenes. A commonality across my photographs is color, often embodied by chipping lead paint, which ironically evokes life from these dead or dying sites. I have endeavored to contrast the decay of the present to the beauty, and decadence, of the past.