This collection of Detroit photos overlay recent images of modern-day Detroit with old photographs of inhabitants of the city from the 1900's. Detroit has gone through a lot of change, going from a booming, bustling metropolis to losing 60% of its population over the last 60 years. Flora Borsi's collection aims to show what it would be like for past upscale residents to see their largely abandoned city in its present state.
Flora Borsi captured the new background photographs and retouched the old ones herself, carefully adding color to the black and white subjects. Once integrated with her modern-day Detroit photos, the coloring allowed them to blend more naturally. The finished products are visually appealing as well as thought-provoking. They include a married couple saying their vows in a dilapidated, graffiti-laden church as well as a pair of gentlemen in bowler hats standing in a deserted parking lot.
What's Driving This Trend
- Urban Decay
- Opportunity for creative projects that contrast old and new urban environments.
- Nostalgic Photography
- Opportunity to create photo collections combining historical and contemporary images.
- Resurgent Cityscapes
- Opportunity to showcase the transformation and revitalization of once-declining cities.
Who This Affects Most
- Photography
- Opportunity for photographers to experiment with juxtaposing past and present images.
- Urban Planning
- Opportunity to use visual representations to engage communities in revitalization efforts.
- Art and Design
- Opportunity to create visually impactful pieces that provoke thought about changing urban landscapes.
