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August 2016 to November 2016
Paenulimus, in Latin, translates to "almost last."
I wanted to capture the second-to-last chance of beauty, as it's found teetering on the abyss, within the destruction of abandoned and distressed areas of the Tri-state region. Within the next ten years, I believe that most of these buildings and locations will either no longer be standing in their present state or will be repurposed. Every room in each of these buildings has such a clear, distinct voice, leaving it easy to imagine the space as it might have been when thriving. It is an absolute privilege to be able to explore various spaces and learn from their history, from buildings that were once designed for the care of mentally ill to spacious resorts designated for the retreat of the middle and upper class. I sought to document the instability of the spaces I visited and to show their beauty through the power of the natural light that now leaks through the walls, ceilings, and crevices of the structures. In doing this, I hoped to capture the visceral experience of beauty in destruction with photography.