Approaching Nowhere: Photographs

by Jeff Brouws (Photographer)

Evocative images of buildings and places, seen from the American road. Like many who grew up during the spread of sprawl--with its predictable landscape of housing developments, shopping malls, interstate highways, and big-box construction--acclaimed photographer Jeff Brouws is drawn to places that still embody the vernacular past as well as to those that starkly portray the soulless, franchised American landscape. What began as cultural geography of Main Streets became a visual critique of the myth of upward mobility that created this car-centered, paved-over universe. Some images look outward to the edges of suburbia where sprawl is encroaching upon nature. Others turn inward, documenting the devastated inner cities. All the stunning color photographs reflect the complex beauty and desolation of visual life in our time. 100 color photographs

Genres: Photography, Art, Nonfiction

160 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2006

Reviews

[Cody]

A beautiful meditation on neglected landscapes and built environments. With a decade or two between us and Brouws's photos, it's interesting to consider the locations in Approaching Nowhere that have since begun to gentrify. Does that alter or lessen the poignancy of his thesis? I don't think so. Rather, I'd argue it just leads to new possibilities for reexamining the places and ideas that Brouws introduced us to in the first place.

[Lisa McKenzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Allows your eyes to linger over landscapes we all tend to dismiss.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

My voyage into this summer's rabbit hole continues to spiral out with this exceptional collection of photographs which seems at least initially inspired by some aspects of Twentysix Gasoline Stations. It features a ton of photos from roads I've taken, places I've lived and, of course, a ton of places that seem so incredibly familiar because I'm a modern person who lives in the United States [this franchised life]. The photos are followed by two short, informative essays that I'll probably mine for further reading.

[Abbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful book! I've long been fascinated with urban decay, but what is remarkable in this book is how often it is difficult to tell from the photographs whether a place has been abandoned. Likewise, the inclusion of farflung thriving commercial enterprizes next to failed commercial establishments is exceptionally dramatic.
Truly beautiful--especially for one who wonders why she's never noticed abandoned structures. A poignant reminder that no, they are here, they just blend seamlessly into the landscape.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the work and purpose in this book. Love Love Love. Inspiring.

[Ig-88 · Rating 1 out of 5]

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