Desolate Spaces
Many of these photos were taken while exploring in and around the shadows of the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges in Brooklyn. As I was organizing this section, I consider calling it “Liminal Spaces.” But, desolate spaces are not necessarily liminal. In liminal spaces, all sorts of potentialities are percolating, and while such spaces may be desolate, not all desolate spaces are liminal. However, as I continued to organize the photos, I began trying to figure out where these places were using Google Maps and Google Earth, along with clues from the photos. What I discovered was that a lot of these run down, desolate places are now thriving, hip places to be, with nice restaurants, coffee shops. and other places to hang out and shop.
A shelter in Prospect Park, Brooklyn.
Empty lot at twilight, Brooklyn.
A lot for a lot of junk.
Apartment building stairwells.
Cemetery near Prospect Park.
Dog desolation.
“Danger Attack Dog” … meanwhile, just hanging out by the garage door.
Side and front of Janus Iron Works on 3rd Avenue, Brooklyn.
East River.
Industrial canal system between Park Slope and Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn,
Cuban Flag and Cuban beach scene, along with two views of Danny’s Restaurant & Bar
Jay & Water Streets, Brooklyn waterfront.
In the Shadows of the Bridges
Waterfront Restaurant in the shadows of the Brooklyn Bridge.
Cadman Plaza (now Old Fulton Street) & Water Street
On the waterfront… Plymouth Street looking at the Brooklyn Bridge.
This part of Plymouth Street no longer exists. It’s now a small walking waterfront park.
The end of Plymouth Street, which is no longer there. View of the Brooklyn Bridge and lower Manhattan, with one of the Twin Towers on the right.
The end of Main Street coming into Plymouth Street facing the Manhattan Bridge.
The building on the left is still there, but the building straight ahead is no longer standing and is a waterfront park. The whole area is filled with offices, shops, cafes, and people.
A person looking at the Brooklyn Bridge, Twin Towers, and the rest of Lower Manhattan.
Peerless Paper Bag Company.
A mom with baby in carriage.
A woman reading while walking.
Rachman Bag Company.
Gallo wine truck.
Out of business & locked business.
Gravel yard at loading dock.
Woman with horses!
Empty lot near the canals with a rail bridge in the background.
“he’s being surrounded by
horses horses horses horses
coming in all directions
white shining silver studs with their nose in flames
He saw horses horses horses
horses horses horses horses horses”
Excerpt from “Horses” — Patti Smith (1998/2015). Patti Smith Collected Lyrics 1970–2015. (p. 47)
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