Present
Present explores the aftermath of unchecked consumerism through photographs of abandoned malls in America. Once monuments to endless consumption, these structures now sit hollow and forgotten, their singular purpose leaving them without use or future.
The rise of mass consumerism, accelerated by early 20th century advertisers who centered holidays around presents and shopping sprees, fueled the creations of malls. Built to serve a culture of constant buying, these places now remain empty as testaments to the deceptive nature of capitalism.
Alongside my images, I display found photographs from the 1980s-1990s. These images show the malls at their peak, packed with people and life. These glimpses into the past serve to sharpen the contrast between the unfulfilled promise of endless growth and the stark reality in front of us.
These abandoned spaces stand as scars in the landscape. Silent warnings of a system built on short-term profit without regard for sustainability or long-term community need.
