Urban Exploration

I'm completely fascinated by abandoned buildings, especially the ones that have been partially reclaimed by their natural surroundings. I can't recall when this fascination began, but it was firmly cemented years ago during a visit to a historic steel mill where the plant and animal life have developed an interesting harmony with the skeletons of industry. I found it both haunting and inspiring.

At the time, I was unaware of some of the brilliant, urban exploration artists that are out there documenting these places that most of us will never see. Slowly, but surely, I'm seeking them out on the web, so that I can live vicariously through their work. Here are a couple of links that I like.

Rana X - Sexy, derelict buildings with the occasional beautiful girl.
Mello Photography - Check out the power plant shots. Nice.
Sleepy City - Dsankt takes beautiful, mad photographs.
Infiltration - An urbex webzine with a lot of great links to urban explorers all over the world. This is probably the best resource that I've found.
Abandoned Places - The LJ community where I discovered Rana X and Bill Mello. Definitely worth checking frequently, as there are a lot of talented artists that post on a daily basis.

14 comments:

moif said...

I know what you mean Cyan. I love industrial decay, and that whole reclimed by nature look. I used to take photographs of it when ever I found it and have a particular fascination with rust.

Cyan said...

Beautiful, beautiful rust...and what is it called when bronze and copper turn green due to interactions with certain elements? Is that oxidization?

moif said...

Oxidation, but that includes iron rust as well.

Actually bronze under goes a series of colour changes because its raw state is a sort of pink colour. It becomes bronze/brown with age, and air corrosion and then green later on. I've even seen it turn blue and crusty white, but I don't know what causes that, whether its an external or internal process.

When I get a scanner up and running again, I'll scan some of my better rust images and make a post on my blog about them. That might be nice.

moif said...

I like the new site by the way. Its sort of cosy and secluded. Great title too. Very evocative.

Cyan said...

I'd love to see some of your rust images, and thank you for the nice comments about the new blog.

I was pleasantly surprised to see your comment this morning. The only thing that I've done so far to promote this page is update my listing in the AD resources and post a little note in my livejournal. How did you find me?

moif said...

I'm stalking you

=)

moif said...

Actually, you used your link here to my site and I saw it in the log.

Cyan said...

Cool. I just figured out how to do the log thing. :)

It's going to take me a while to learn all of the available features and add-ons for blogger.

moif said...

Your style?

http://www.edelmangallery.com/baril.htm

Cyan said...

Absolutely my style. Thank you!

Jess Haskins said...

Great links. I love abandoned places -- I've collected quite a few links on my blog.

http://bluewyverntea.blogspot.com/2006/01/urban-exploration-and-modern-ruins.html

http://bluewyverntea.blogspot.com/2005/07/more-abandoned-places.html

http://bluewyverntea.blogspot.com/2005/12/random-of-interest.html

I also found some great exploration games made using gorgeous photos of abandoned places.

http://bluewyverntea.blogspot.com/2005/05/abandoned-places.html

I also haven't gotten the chance to link to him yet (I'm saving it for the next round), but Shaun O'Boyle does some of the best photography of abandoned places and modern ruins I've ever seen.

Cyan said...

Thank you for all of the great links. I'll definitely be perusing them. Most of them are unknown to me with the exception of the 99 Rooms site which I frequently revisit. It's wonderfully atmospheric!

Also, I've been lurking at your blog for quite a while, but I've been rather shy. I just want to tell you how much I enjoy it. You post some of the most stimulating things, and I particularly appreciate the introduction to Judith K. McMillan. She's now one of my favourite photographers. :)

Laura Brown said...

I love abandoned buildings too. Just came across this post to your blog while looking for more photo galleries. I maintain a category for Urban Explorationat a web directory.

Cyan said...

Thanks for the link! I'll definitely check out the sites on your directory. :)