Tree growing in rotting paper, former Detroit Public Schools book depository.

The story of what happened here
Blog post about the book depository here

Copyright 2008, Sweet Juniper Media, Inc.

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Comments

Chicamania says:

This is just unreal. Why is it allowed to remain in this state? I mean, it's already a tremendous waste of resources, but why doesn't someone clean it up? I have to say, I've been following your pictures of Detroit for a while now and I think this is the most breathtaking group so far. It's really, really sad, I don't know what else can be said to describe it.
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

two cups of tea says:

Like a phoenix. Beautiful.
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

(Danielle Combs) Life Photography says:

Wow
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

AmeliaMac says:

I just don't understand it all... I can barely wrap my head around what's in these photos.
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

Kimblah says:

I fear for your safety in some of these places. I hope some random crack head doesn't attack you one day.
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

sweet juniper says:

I have hobo stab insurance.
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

posthipchick says:

Wow; I honestly don't know what to say. This is just unbelievable.
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

Jana Tigchelaar says:

Is hobo stab insurance bundled with tetanus?
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

sweet juniper says:

All joking aside, there is a small shelter that someone had built for themselves on the far left side of this photo, mostly out of mattresses and piles of sealed books.
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

parapluiesdoux says:

seeing books in disrepair makes me want to cry, but the path of light from the windows is convincing me otherwise.
the structure made of books reminds me of David Byrne's chair made of phonebooks. (which i've been meaning to e-mail to you anyway, Dutch.)
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

iheartnewyork says:

what a contrast -- the beautiful light and the little growing tree among all those poor destroyed books...
--
Seen on your photo stream. (?)
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

Kimblah says:

My two year old made a chair out of phone books- I've got to get him a gallery show.
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

s_inthecity says:

this photograph just takes my breath away. it's obviously awful to think about all these books and all the brains they didn't get access to, but it's just so damn beautiful. there's something so fitting about the tree feeding off the rotting books ...
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

--Barbara-- says:

wow. i am so in love with your art. have you ever thought about making it avaliable in print? i would love to hang this in my house somwhere.
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

Monkey_Mac says:

There's this piece in the Best Science Writing of 2005 (edited by Atul Gawande) about what the world would look like if humans disappeared and nature took over our infrastructure.

It's beautifully written (at least, I liked it) in terms of the imagery. Your photos of Detroit really remind me of this article-almost constantly.
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

Amanda Banana says:

Cannibal!
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

jive turkey says:

Beautiful.
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

xenmate says:

Tha is just awesome.
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

porterlangley says:

Amazing photos. The tree growing out of the books is breath-taking and ridiculously poetic.
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

poyma1 says:

Usually books come from trees, but in this case, a tree comes from books!
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

ww_tucker says:

Isn't this a location shoot for the 2006 flick, "Children of Men"?
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

sweet juniper says:

no, but this building, across the street, has been used by Michael Bay in his films Transformers and The Island.
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

pavel_lishin says:

re: blet - yes, it's a tremendous waste of resources, but how would cleaning it up not be a waste of resources, too? So you clean out all the books, throw them all away because they've rotted and mildewed... and then you have yet another empty, abandoned building that nobody still wants.
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

joyork says:

You made it to the www.reddit.com homepage...congats!
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

J-ENGINE says:

I moved away from Detroit some time ago, but I periodically check back to see what has become of my homeland. Beautiful imagery, but very sad as well. I wish someone with great wisdom and influence would take an interest in Detroit and lift it up from being a running joke for late night comedy and restore it's pride and beauty.
Seems as if nobody cares sometimes...
Apologize for the rambling. Seeing the city like that gets me a little upset.

Again, great work.
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

sweet juniper says:

J-Engine, I hope you get a chance to come back and see that there are a lot of people here who are doing everything in their power to lift Detroit up and turn its negatives into positives. I understand you see these photos and they make you upset, but you should know that many people are able to find so much beauty and inspiration here, even in the decay.

I recently wrote this, which should give you an idea about the people who are staying (or even moving) here to create the kind of community you hope for in your absence.
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

tomtermite says:

Old Detroit has a cancer. That cancer is crime.
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

J-ENGINE says:

Thanks Sweet Juniper.
That puts a smile on my face and a feeling of hope in my heart.
If I ever return I hope to pitch-in and contribute as well.

Cheers
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

guzi4real says:

very nice contrast, thanks for sharing
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

Zlatko Unger says:

beautiful photo
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

kid fury says:

They're barely able to much at all there. I work there and they are slowly rebuilding a lot of the town but it's so big and rundown it's going to take decades. If we had a ton of money, we could knock down all the old and rebuild... but that's not going to happen for a very long time.
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

Rebelxtnut says:

holy amazingness awesome freaking coolness!
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

cixcell says:

this is the most incredible photo. this is pulitzer prize material.
it shows that no matter how bleak there is always hope.
whether we are here or not life will go on.
amazing. my hat is off to you and i NEVER gush like this over photos.
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

mpancha says:

Sad.. but a beautiful photo.
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

jrm brbr says:

Ill go with mpancha comment - sad but beautiful. salute
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

Jon Canady says:

Strangely beautiful.

Good luck with Detroit. As this picture shows there's plenty of potential.
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

tarditi says:

The circle of life is complete...
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

Mr. Yuk says:

I don't mean to come off as rude but this is nothing too surprising. given a suitable substrate and sufficient moisture, trees can grow anywhere.
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

Amanda Kamnitzer says:

The tree, growing in those conditions is beautiful... being able to take root in all that. It's unfortunate that the building and all of those books have become what they have. I guess there is hope in just about everything.

Great photo, be careful out there!
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

davefouchey says:

Sweet Juniper your series on Detroit is outstanding, having recently been forced by work to move away yet again, I have to say I am heartened by your vision. Until the tax base can be rebuilt the rebirth of Detroit is going to be held in stasis.

But the Spirit of Detroit remains as strong as ever. There is good steel in her bones, good water in her veins and a fresh cold wind running clean through her streets. As long as people of good heart continue to work towards bringing her back there is hope.Keep up the good work.
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

Taylor Blue says:

It's an amazing picture...moving really!
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

chocolate_lover_67 says:

I second Barbara Lee's comment. I would love to own a copy of the tree in the books print. Do you offer any of your images for print/sale?
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

heet_myser says:

Digg and Fark? And this isn't even close to being your best photo of Detroit. Interesting.
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

St. See has left the building says:

Oh, awesome. Just great!
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

road_ie666 says:

wow, thats a phenomenal picture. and a very powerful image.
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

vespadisco says:

So, that's the Botany section right?
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

Sharksurfer says:

WOW! Great pictures!

It is really unfortunate that the city has been allowed to fall into this state. I spent a lot of time in Detroit, and it is by far the worst place I have ever been. I felt disgusted at every turn. Everything is in ruin. No one gives a crap. I would think people would wake up and see that they need to elect new leadership.
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

samuelpablo says:

Very nice photo
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

brettwmorris says:

I have always been fascinated by urban decay. This photo is nearly poetic. Incredible.

I hope you will considering offering prints of this photo for purchase.
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

devilcreep says:

sad, yet beautiful
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

davidjonesuk says:

The yellow burn hurts my eyes, and pulitzer it isn't. Yet.
I want to like it, I really do. Can you go back and take a few bracketed RAWs? I feel HDR would bring something to the table.
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

heet_myser says:

"HDR would bring something to the table."

I hope you're able to fight this urge.

I love that intense light coming through the window; the photo would lose a huge narrative element if it were gone, IMO.
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

sam_ says:

I would love to explore that place
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

udateyourworld says:

It's FARENHEIT 451 :(
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

Aaron of NEPA says:

The light and tree give hope to a rather bleak scene!

Seen in your Detroit Public Schools Book Depository/ Roosevelt Warehouse set. (?)
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

brwnbettie says:

This photo is amazing. Thank you.
Posted 21 months ago. ( permalink )

James Depping says:

Love this
Posted 18 months ago. ( permalink )

SprittiBee says:

Just visited Detroit and took a few superficial shots from the car (too afraid to get out). I love these photos. That tree growing in those books is just amazing. Like the circle of literature and the circle of life combined.

Great shots. Be careful, man. There are some scary places there. I would take along a can of pepper mace and a bottle of peroxide with a first aid kit for sure!

sbees.blogspot.com/2008/05/texan-in-detroit.h tml
Posted 18 months ago. ( permalink )

luna.nik says:

Amazing
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

army71rich says:

What luna said.

Great photo
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

A V Z says:

excellent photo, makes me jealous! congrats on the win.
Posted 14 months ago. ( permalink )

estacey says:

just opened my email from vice and knew it was you from the second i saw the headline. good work!!
Posted 8 months ago. ( permalink )

chacal la chaise says:

thank you for this. i heard your interview on "The Story" from APR
Posted 6 months ago. ( permalink )

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Taken on January 20, 2008
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Tree growing in rotting paper, former Detroit Public Schools book depository.

Comments

Chicamania says:

two cups of tea says:

(Danielle Combs) Life Photography says:

AmeliaMac says:

Kimblah says:

sweet juniper says:

posthipchick says:

Jana Tigchelaar says:

sweet juniper says:

parapluiesdoux says:

iheartnewyork says:

Kimblah says:

s_inthecity says:

--Barbara-- says:

Monkey_Mac says:

Amanda Banana says:

jive turkey says:

xenmate says:

porterlangley says:

poyma1 says:

ww_tucker says:

sweet juniper says:

pavel_lishin says:

joyork says:

J-ENGINE says:

sweet juniper says:

tomtermite says:

J-ENGINE says:

guzi4real says:

Zlatko Unger says:

kid fury says:

Rebelxtnut says:

cixcell says:

mpancha says:

jrm brbr says:

Jon Canady says:

tarditi says:

Mr. Yuk says:

Amanda Kamnitzer says:

davefouchey says:

Taylor Blue says:

chocolate_lover_67 says:

heet_myser says:

St. See has left the building says:

road_ie666 says:

vespadisco says:

Sharksurfer says:

samuelpablo says:

brettwmorris says:

devilcreep says:

davidjonesuk says:

heet_myser says:

sam_ says:

udateyourworld says:

Aaron of NEPA says:

brwnbettie says:

James Depping says:

SprittiBee says:

luna.nik says:

army71rich says:

A V Z says:

estacey says:

chacal la chaise says:

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sweet juniper's photostream

Detroit Public Schools Book Depository/ Roosevelt Park Warehouse (Set)

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