Camilo Jose Vergara and Detroit
For over two decades, photographer Camilo José Vergara has meticulously documented the evolving landscape of Detroit, capturing its decline, resilience, and unique character through a long-term photographic project. His work offers a stark, realistic portrayal of the city, focusing on the changes within its urban spaces and the lives impacted by them. Vergara’s approach, characterized by revisiting the same locations repeatedly, provides a unique “tracking of time”[1] and a visual record of Detroit’s transformation.
History
Camilo José Vergara was born in 1944 in Santiago, Chile, into a privileged family whose fortunes reversed during his youth[2]. This early experience with economic hardship and societal shift profoundly influenced his later work, fostering an interest in documenting spaces undergoing change and decline. He studied sociology at both Notre Dame and Columbia University, providing a theoretical framework for his photographic investigations. His interest in photographing urban environments stemmed from a lack of similar conditions in his early life; he “did not have large ghettos” where he lived, which drew him to areas like Camden, Chicago, New York, and ultimately, Detroit[3].
Vergara began cataloging Detroit over 25 years ago[4], a period coinciding with the city’s most significant economic and population decline. His work distinguishes itself from simple documentation of decay through his commitment to revisiting locations repeatedly, often over years, to record subtle and significant alterations. This method allows for a nuanced understanding of how urban spaces are repurposed, abandoned, and ultimately transformed. He is known for his photography series documenting continuity and change in American urban spaces[5].
Culture
Vergara’s photographs of Detroit present a rawness and realism that challenges conventional perceptions of urban decline[6]. Rather than framing Detroit as a “failed” city, his work suggests a unique position outside of typical urban classifications, acknowledging the city’s enduring culture and drive. He captures the stories embedded within the buildings and streets, recognizing that these spaces are continually “used for different people and purposes”[7]. This includes documenting the adaptation of abandoned structures – old warehouses, vacant houses – and the encroachment of nature into the urban fabric.
His book, “Detroit is No Dry Bones: The Eternal City of the Industrial Age,” exemplifies this approach, presenting a visual narrative that acknowledges the city’s hardships while simultaneously highlighting its resilience[8]. The book’s structure, beginning with paired photographs taken from the same vantage point years apart – such as those taken from the roof of the former Carlton Plaza Hotel in 1998 and 2003 – powerfully illustrates the city’s transformation. These juxtapositions emphasize the shifting nature of urban landscapes and the stories that are “completely un-protectable”[9], as a building’s function and meaning evolve over time.
Notable Residents
While Vergara is not a resident of Detroit, his extended engagement with the city over decades has made him a significant observer and documentarian of its culture and changes. His work provides a unique perspective, informed by his sociological background and his personal history of economic hardship[10]. He approaches his subject matter with a keen eye for detail and a commitment to long-term observation, setting him apart from photographers who might offer a more fleeting or sensationalized portrayal of the city.
Vergara’s interest in the “rougher parts” of cities, including Detroit, stemmed from his own experiences and a desire to understand the forces shaping urban environments[11]. He actively sought out stories of places where conditions seemed at their worst, driven by a curiosity to discover what would come next. This dedication to understanding the evolution of urban spaces has resulted in a substantial body of work that offers valuable insights into the complexities of Detroit and other American cities.