Church of the Assumption | Photo: Matthew Christopher
A new show opened Sunday at the Gershman Y’s Open Lens gallery with the imposing title Before and After Utopia: Images of Urban Abandonment, Absence and Aspiration. It features Matthew Christopher’s photos of abandoned places, several of which were shot in Philadelphia, including the auditorium of the original Northeast High School at 8th and Lehigh, and the interior of Church of the Assumption on 11th and Spring Garden Street. The show also explores utopian projects, with photo essays on Arcosanti, Paolo Soleri’s experiment in urban planning in the Arizona desert, and Masdar City, Norman Foster’s eco-city in Abu Dhabi.
Peter Woodall is the co-editor of Hidden City Daily. He is a graduate of the UC Berkeley School of Journalism, and a former newspaper reporter with the Biloxi Sun Herald and the Sacramento Bee. He worked as a producer for Radio Times with Marty Moss-Coane and wrote a column about neighborhood bars for PhiladelphiaWeekly.com.
Leave a Reply
Recent Posts
Cherry Street Pier Raises The Bar For Dynamic Public Space
Cherry Street Pier is officially open for business. The 99-year-old maritime warehouse blends a public park with artist studios, food vendors, a beer garden, and incredible views of the Delaware River. Michael Bixler gives us a look inside > more
Defending Philly History From 3,000 Miles Away
Joshua Bevan knew he had to act after discovering the architectural beauty of Belmont. From his home in San Francisco he mobilized to nominate a neighborhood landmark for historic designation. In this essay Bevan describes his journey between the Bay Area and Philly to protect the McGaw Mansion > more
Design Coalition Aims To Bridge The Old-New Divide
Move over Miami, the Philadelphia Design District is getting ready for some time in the spotlight. The coalition of gallery owners, artisans, and tech startups want to transform Old City into a hive of contemporary design, while preserving the neighborhood's historic character. Joe Brin takes a look inside the idea with co-founder Eugenie Perret > more
Germantown Boys & Girls Club Compromise Brings Peace To Penn Street
Owners of Germantown Boys and Girls Club reach an agreement with preservationists after two years of heated debate. Starr Herr-Cardillo has the news > more
Shakespeare & Co. Brings Old Bank Back To Life
Manhattan-based bookstore and café revives an old banking storefront in Rittenhouse Square. Michael Bixler takes a look > more
Historic Districts Make A Comeback
After nearly a decade of lost opportunities, creative new strategies emerge for protecting Philadelphia's historic neighborhoods > more
© 2011-2016 Hidden City Philadelphia |