I took a ride up to the urban decay that is Downer Shops on the weekend … and took some photos … the shop side is truly derelict.
One of my first group houses in the early 90′s was a weatherboard affair in Durack Street (which incidentally was the coldest house I’ve ever lived in) and Downer Shops was my local. The centre was in decline even back then. There was a dark supermarket (literally dark and dingy and not of the supernatural bent … well, not that I ever saw…) a Chinese Restaurant which was passable and an Italian which was dire. There were some others too but I’m unable to recall them.
There were people around. Over at the Community rooms on the other side of a little park (with attendant rock sculpture) in the middle of the complex a groups was packing up after a meeting. The community rooms are by contrast clean and swept … and the end of the building features a mural by Byrd. There was a little post-it note stuck onto some fresh graffiti staking a claim on what’s otherwise a remarkably graffiti-free building. The carpark was more or less subscribed and the two sporting fields were both full of soccer and families enjoying the late afternoon autumn sunshine.
The shop side is just sliding into decay and I loved the irony of the boarded up security company shopfront. The community noticeboard lies vacant and the hand-carved bicentennial logo (someone took ages making that … with it’s little Tasmania) still stands proudly beneath a dead clock. So, while there were folks about … the centre felt truly abandoned. I understand that new development is slated for the area … maybe that’ll start this dead heart?
What a cool place, I would love to photograph there! Possibly with models dressed in vintage clothes 🙂
I’d love to see what you would do with place Crina 🙂
Well, my dear young man, there are times that returning to a time past does help to mend a broken hear or even rerstart a heart which feels dead to the world around and sometimes it is good to just have a look-see at what was and take stock of how much of that around you and you have changed, how far you have come and how much coming through that past experience has given you the strength, the wisdom and stamina to go through anything you have to face at this present time!! Thank you for you piece and be happy!!
Thanks … taking stock is always worthwhile 🙂
Sneaking around abandoned houses? I don't know where you get these ideas 🙂 I'm surprised that the complex still looks more or less intact, not that much graffiti either but certainly interesting. My favourite picture is the second one of the chained and locked gate with the wire of the fence bend open. I think it's mainly because of the colours, red meeting grey-blue, but maybe it's also a bit the forbidden, the things that might be hiding behind it, what makes it so appealing 🙂
I can also see from they fallen, withered leaves and bare tree that autumn reached you already and winter is coming slowly. Though the sunlight peeking trhough the leaves in the fourth picture tricked me for a second as it looks so warm I thought it spoke of summer.
I know! What has become of me? Searching the derleict for meaning!
There wasn’t much warmth left in that sunshine either let me assure you 🙂
love these. I have a thing for decay and ruins! how are you xxx
Thought they may have appealed to you … life continues on and I find myself taking more photographs once again … my life doesn’t sound half as glamorous and jet-setty and romantically frustrating as yours does though 🙂
xxx
The yin/yang of human construction and deconstruction, and the mirroring of humanity's need for progress or not.
Wow Sally … plenty to unpack in those short sentences! Thank you 🙂
If you don't mind me saying Geoff, there is something rather bright and cheery about these great scenes of decay. The sunshine through the wisteria, with the line of autumn leaves is so touching.
Thanks Patti … I can’t seem to help imbue my pictures with ‘bright & cheery’ 😉
You're inspiring me to get out my lensbaby and play. I – too – have one..but use it rarely. Now – I'm asking myself – why not??? Thank-you for the gorgeous images and inspiration!!!
Hi Marcie … you’re welcome and I’m glad to have provided some inspiration! I look forward to seeing you creations!