Readymades: American Roadside Artifacts

by Jeff Brouws

Jeff Brouws has crisscrossed the country for two decades, documenting an America that is at once quintessential and peculiar. Readymades is a quirky, multi-layered catalog of this ascendant photographer's partially painted pickup trucks, bowling alley signs, vibrant-hued houses that defy the monotony of the suburbs, abandoned drive-in movie theaters. Brouws treats his subjects as readymade art found in the landscape, brought together to create an idiosyncratic roadside panorama. Provocative essays by leading writers and cultural commentators such as Luc Sante, DJ Waldie, M. Mark, Diana Gaston, Bruce Caron, and Phil Patton are juxtaposed with these images of all that is unique in the uniform, and striking in the mundane.

Genres: Photography, Art, Nonfiction, History

272 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2003

Reviews

[Megan (ReadingRover) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a sucker for an American road trip and roadside attractions. This book is full of abandoned ordinary buildings, signs and oddities spanning the Midwest. It’s not so much the wonder of each thing but the desolation of it that’s so fascinating. The photos really capture the atmosphere and the loneliness of it all. 4.5 stars.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like what Chronicle Books did with this! Instead of a book with stuffy, pretentious essays accompanied by photographs I love - I got short, warm essays followed by photographs I love. But no matter how much I enjoyed seeing all these things, I feel like I'm now done with Jeff Brouws, abandoned gasoline stations, etc. for 2025. Not sure when I'll be ready for more...

[Ichor · Rating 5 out of 5]

The blurb on the back of Readymades describes Jeffrey Brouws's subject matter as the landscape of 'everyday America', but Walker Evans's wonderfully evocative term 'mellow Americana' fits much better. And so it should, given the clear influence of Evans on Brouws who presents us here with a selection of typological studies covering abandoned drive-in theatres, storage units, bowling alleys, trailer homes, abandoned gas stations, farm buildings, freight cars and advertising signs.

[Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Photographic meditations on form and type, with sharp essays. Partially Painted Pickup Trucks. Vernacular Typography. Dilapidated Drive-In Movie Theaters. Railroad Cars. Bowling Alleys. You want more? Twenty-Six Abandoned Gas Stations, retracing Fast Eddie Ruscha's ride on Route 66. Pick it up, pick it up.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Take a camera to the midwest and you can probably become a published author.

[Wes Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love delapidation photography!

[Loki · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating collection of Americana, reflecting the intersections between individuality, commerce and decay. A book full of the weird beauty of the suburban landscape.