Unveiling the Hidden Stories of America's Deserted Homes: A Photographer's Journey
Uncover the secrets of America's forgotten homes through the lens of photographer Bryan Sansivero.
For over a decade, Bryan Sansivero has been on a captivating journey, capturing the essence of America's abandoned homes. His work, featured in the book "America the Abandoned: Captivating Portraits of Deserted Homes," offers a unique portal into the lives of those who once inhabited these spaces. But here's where it gets intriguing... Sansivero's passion lies in the mystery and the untold stories behind these deserted homes.
A Journey into the Unknown
Sansivero's interest in abandoned spaces began during his college years as a film studies major. He started with the Kings Park Psychiatric Center, a disused psychiatric hospital on Long Island, which served as the setting for his documentary thesis. Over time, he became drawn to the allure of private residences, millions of which are left abandoned across the country. He describes urban exploration, or "urbex," as a highly monetized form of social media content, almost like a competitive sport. But Sansivero takes a different approach, opting for the slow and deliberate methodology of medium-format film, though he still shares his stunning images with over 100,000 followers on Instagram.
The Search for the Unknown
Sansivero's quest for these deserted homes is a blend of chance and research. He often finds houses by chance, or with the help of Google Earth, taking week-long trips to areas impacted by economic or environmental pressures. His treks come with risks, from inhaling mold to walking through decaying floors, but he's drawn to the dramatic architecture and eccentric collections these homes hold. He's interested in the stories behind the abandonment, the lives once lived, and the reasons for their desertion.
A Window into the Past
In his book, Sansivero shares limited details about the homes he photographs, giving a sense of who lived there but anonymizing them to avoid exploiting tragic stories. Among the homes he has discovered are former residences of a local politician, an important fashion and textile designer, and a Pulitzer-Prize-winning author. He even found a house filled with life-sized mannequin mermaids, which had a disturbing history of a serial killer with victims in the basement. The origins of the mermaids remain a mystery.
A Global Expansion
Recently, Sansivero has set his sights overseas, exploring chateaus and castles in Europe with histories stretching back centuries. His decade-long exploration of US homes may be coming to a pause, but it's likely more a temporary halt than an end. After all, as Sansivero notes, with time, there will always be more to discover. So, will Sansivero's journey continue? Stay tuned, and feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below!
