Ruin Porn and the Obsession with Decay [Hardcover]

This collection is the first book to comprehensively analyse the relatively new and under-researched phenomenon of ruin porn. Featuring a diverse collection of chapters, the authors in this work examine the relevance of contemporary ruin and its relationship to photography, media, architecture, culture, history, economics and politics. This work investigates the often ambiguous relationship that society has with contemporary ruins around the world, challenging the notions of authenticity that are frequently associated with images of decay. With case studies that discuss various places and topics, including Detroit, Chernobyl, Pitcairn Island, post-apocalyptic media, online communities and urban explorers, among many other topics, this collection illustrates the nuances of ruin porn that are fundamental to an understanding of humanitys place in the overarching narrative of history.

1. Ruin Porn and the Anthropocene (Siobhan Lyons)

Part I. American Ruin

2. Detroit Was Always Made of Wheels: Confronting Ruin Porn in its Hometown (Kate Wells)

3. Gods and Monsters: A Solastalgic Examination of Detroits Ruins and Representation (Christopher T. Gullen)

4. The Bronx Isnt Burning, Is It?: Ruin Porn and Contemporary Perceptions of The Bronx (Joseph Donica)

Part II.   Photographic Ruin

5. Take Nothing but Photos, Leave Nothing but Footprints: How-to Guides for Ruin Photography (Susan A. Crane)

6. Where the (Moving) Sidewalk Ends: Images of Wasted Americana in the Preapocalyptic World (Amanda Firestone, Stephen Crompton and Corey George)

7. Picturing Ruin in the American Rustbelt: Andrew Borowiecs Cleveland: The Flats, the Mill, and the Hills (2008) (Susann K?hler)

Part III. Alternative Ruinscapes

8. Diachronic Fetishisation: Ruinlã¶