There was a series of photos that really stood out to me on Tuesday when we went to the Museum of Contemporary Photography. They were by Brian Ulrich who received an MFA at Columbia in 2004. His series "Dark Stores" features buildings and store fronts that have been abandoned. It is possible that some of them are left behind when a store moves into a different location, but I'm assuming the majority of these stores went under as a result of our recent economic downturn.
In your opinion, what do you think was the ultimate cause of these stores going under? In what ways could this have been avoided? Lastly, how has this recession affected you personally?
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well i cant really answer this because i was not there. but i can draw a conclusion.. i think he was telling or showing the way he feels through these stories. i really dont no what to say
ReplyDeleteI think you're right about the economy being the cause of these stores going under. People just can't afford to buy stuff right now I guess. Finding jobs are really difficult and I can say that first hand. So if people don't need it, they aren't going to buy it. And if "it" is what you sell I guess you're just S.O.L. I think if something could've been done to prevent this it would have to start at the government. The recession really hasn't affected me personally. Well I'm sure it has but my parents are doing a good job of keeping that underwraps.
ReplyDeleteI believe that most of these stores probably have found their way into closure because of a hurting economy, but most I bet have just moved. Though the country as a whole is in a recession I dont think it has effected chicago as much as other places, from what I have seen. My mother lives in Decatur, IL and down there the economy has slaughtered local businesses. Both ADM and Catipilar have laid off a majority of its workers. They are two largest and pretty much the only employers in decatur. Because of so many layoffs alot of businesses in that town are closing their doors.
ReplyDeletethe economy plays a big role on local businesses closing down. the only way for companies to stop the down turn of closing i beleive is if they were already established with money that they can fall back on. it hard to find job right now so my mind set is to do the jobs that most people wouldn't do that is open to the public and also what ever little side hustle i can find like cutting hair and cutting grass.
ReplyDeletehonestly i think any store or place that has to do with the arts, that has been closed down is because Americans doesnt respect art, they dont appriciate it. When i was growing up my teachers have always told me if you want to get the most respect for your craft and actually earn a living off of something that you have worked your entire life to achieve, then the best option would be to go to Europe. Because Europeans really appricaite art, way more than American. and now that we are in a pickle, economically, the last thing Americans want to go do is watch a Ballet, Concert, or go to an Art Gallery. so i would be patient and hopefully the arts can be something taken seriously, instead of lazy kids.
ReplyDeleteAs for the personal recession question, it has affected me, but not as badly as other people. me and my family dont go out as much anymore, and it hurts me even more to fill up my gas tank. so i havent seen a dramatic change, hopefully i wont ever see a change. but i was listening to the radio a few weeks ago and the radio station i was listnening to said that a group of economists predicted that the recession should be over by the end of the year, so we shall see if they are right.
the recession has affected alot of people horribly and i didnt really feel or see the magnitude of ho whard it has hit until i was walking down halsted going to 87th from 94th yesterday and saw a whole block of foreclosed homes it was so horrible and the crime rate definelty has gone up in those areas as well. the stores probley went under because people have decided to spend less money becuase they heard that were in a recession . i think a good example of that is on south park when i think it was kyle was telling evreuybody that the only way to save the econmoy is byt spending money which is true becuase thes e stores are going under because noone is investing in them any more were all pinching pennys trying to survive. the recession hit my family hard as well but thats mostly because since before i was born we have been attempting to bring up our wealth my grand father owned a total of 3 properties befor he died but because of his old age 2 of the properties begin to deteriotate and one was under investigation by the city when he did die ( earlier this year) my mother was left with his 3 properties and the 3 she already owned and none of them are in any condition to be able to generate income. the problem now is my mother has 1 job 6 properties and no money because of the recession ( at least thats what she told me lol) but my question is why dont we just follow that idea and spend more money to generate more money into circulation isnt that what the stimulus plan was supposed to do?
ReplyDeleteThink a little bit deeper about the recession--what does it mean that we are using this language? I mean, the fact that the economy has its own language and every experience we go through and study that we study has its own language, what is the purpose of that specialization? Do we feel comfortable knowing that we can call our poverty something? Knowing that there is a cause we can identify?
ReplyDeleteI'd like to see more proof that art is appreciated more in other countries. I think certain arts are more "American"--jazz for instance.
Have you heard of Marfa, TX? Do you know what kind of art scene is happening there?
Do you think academics and art, the whole stereotype that art is overly complicated and academic, plays into this issue?
I know that my art has been really hurt by the economy. I had a press go under and my full length cannot come out because the press is not sure if it can pay its rent. Also, I have had to pick up more classes and I have less time to write in general.
I believe that art is appreciated in a lot of places in the United States, while it is ingnored in many places too. I think it is all about the demographic your surrounded by. For example in Chicago, I believe most of the population is very interested in the arts. While in Southern Illinois most people could care less because they are less exposed.
ReplyDelete@ Pity Reached by Sound..
ReplyDeleteokay, so im having a hard time finding some, proof, but i will, promise, when i get home.
Appalachia, which I'm obsessed with, has tons of art. We don't always value folk art and America is filled with folk art.
ReplyDeleteTry and make a list of what it would mean if someone said, "what is 'Americana' art?"
again @ Pity Reached by Sound
ReplyDeleteis this it??
http://www.chicagotribune.com/travel/chi-0308-tr-marfa-frontmar08,0,7760956.story
i think the reson for most stores closing down ,maybe because there are 2 may walmarts.lol or because there stores lost intrest in the people, so they lost busness.like 2 of my favorite stores was closed down last year called tower records and vergin records,the reson for them to close was because people download to much and stop buying there cds.it pissed me off because i dont even download songs!
ReplyDelete