Stages of Decay

by Julia Solis

Stages of Decay is a collection of photographs of abandoned and deteriorating performance spaces. At one point, all of these spaces were places of entertainment and pleasure, hosting everything from Vaudeville musicals to rock 'n' roll concerts. The book focuses on the actual stages as they become disfigured by neglect, as the decay advances from mold to collapsing roofs. Stages of Decay is a glimpse at what happens after the final curtain has dropped.

The project depicts over one hundred stages in the US and Europe, relying on photographs shot over the last few years. Many of these locations no longer exist, though their historic, architectural, and metaphorical relevance remains intact.

Genres: Nonfiction, Photography

144 pages, Hardcover

First published March 6, 2012

Reviews

[Susannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a collection of photographs of abandoned stages and performance spaces. Solis is a talented photographer, who creates beautiful compositions of these decaying spaces with her framing of lines and colours. The book is also thoughtfully laid out, with complimentary juxtapositions of photographs of different spaces.

The performance spaces range from movie theatres, school stages, churches, community centres, theme parks, military bases, hospitals, ballrooms and theatres. For the majority of the book the photos are unaccompanied by text. Solis argues that allows for the spaces to better "speak for themselves" as the perception of a space can change when you know what its origin is. However, curiosity got the better of me, and I had to keep flipping back and forth between the images, and their details at the back. The details list the location of the building, what it used to be, and its status. Some buildings since the book's publication have been demolished, and others renovated. The section at the front of the book "Short reels" lists five notable locations, accompanied by their short histories. Fascinating stuff.

As a performer in theatre I found the images both moving and sad. It is amazing how many of the spaces still contain chairs facing an empty stage, waiting for a performance to begin. It is sad that such spaces that once were the source of joy and merriment now sit empty. Yet there is a strange beauty in their decay, and a kind of dignity. The decay, Solis argues, is part of the performances spaces' own performance. The continuation of its story.

[Leonard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a collection of colorful photographs of the interiors of abandoned theaters and concert halls. I liked it a lot even though it evoked some sadness.

[august · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting

[Zac Hawkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reject liminality, to preserve is to reject that all things will in time return to dust.

Embrace decay.

[GlenK · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's some excellent photos in this collection of abandoned theaters, auditoriums and other performance spaces but I wish there was more historical background on the places. And the thumbnail images in the back of the book are much too small to be useful.

[WaterstonesBirmingham · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful collection of photographs of abandoned theatres.

It is amazing that these spaces are so different when left to be reclaimed by nature and this book shows theatres from all over the world in various states of disrepair.

One for fans of urban exploration.

Grace