Urban Vacancy
Photographic research project
An empty storefront is an eyesore for many. It’s symbolic to the loss of the physical, the familiar nostalgia. Generations come to an end due to the growing domain of e-commerce. But an empty storefront also bring hope. It offers a blank canvas for a new perspective and a new development of the commercial city centre.
By using a long shutterspeed, I tried to capture the perspective of the passer-by. Life goes on, and so do the people in it, but the property remains. A dark hole is left in the vibrant shopping streets. By showing the other side of the perspective I tried to give a voice to the empty property. The windows turned into eyes, watching merciless as people pass by, surrendered to be ignored, left alone and forgotten.
This work is combined with a small booklet, covering the presence of building materials within empty stores. This is a commonly used method for extending the time a store can remain empty.
AKV St. Joost, Breda