Geoffrey George: Detroit, Surveying the Ruins
Posted: 6/22/2009

It’s often said that a picture is worth a thousand words, but for Geoffrey, his photos are worth a million. Once a prosperous, thriving metropolitan area, Detroit has became a city of urban decay. Historic ruins dispersed throughout the city are considered eyesores to many, however, it’s aesthetically pleasing for Geoffrey and serves as an incubator for his artistic talent.

Geoffrey George, a University of Michigan graduate, is a Detroit-based freelance photographer and filmmaker. At U of M, he studied film and video, where he received a B.A. with highest honors in 2008.

Aside from writing and directing award-winning short films, he is working with UnionDocs, a non-profit documentary arts space based in Brooklyn, New York. He was selected to unveil his photos at the Detroit: Surveying the Ruins exhibit on Friday, June 26, 2009 at the UnionDocs gallery.

This exhibit will explore Detroit’s post-industrial neighborhoods affected by the economic crisis. George photographs abandoned, dissipated infrastructures of times past, but in his eyes, he’s capturing the best kept gems --the city’s ruins.

With recent media attention focusing on the dwindling effect of the auto industry and the country’s highest unemployment rate, is no stranger to the recession.

“Despite the bad press that Detroit gets, people will see that it’s an interesting city,” George said.

He also added, “It’s a unique American city and the ruins serve as an introduction to the city. I take pictures of the ruins because we have so many and I take pictures of them in a way that they become an asset.”

One example in particular is the Michigan Central Station located in Corktown. While others see it as a morbid reminder of the city's decay, it’s a tourist attraction to visitors. George mentioned how visitors are fascinated with the ruins.

“We have tourists coming in from states that are thousands of miles away just to see the station that otherwise wouldn’t be coming here,” he said. “The ruins serve as an introduction and once they get here, they find out about other things to do in the city.”

Just about a year ago, George was ready to move to Los Angeles, the entertainment capital, in pursuits of his film career. Due to his photography getting widespread attention and Detroit’s gravitation towards the movie industry, George had a change of heart and continues to reside in Michigan.

In addition, he worked on feature films as an assistant director and assistant cameraman. He briefly lived in Los Angeles, and worked at independent film production companies.

As a photographer, Geoffrey has worked with publications such as Slate Magazine, Big Ten Network, Blue Guides UK, Detroit Fashion Pages and even Getty Images, a stock photo company, bought photos from him.

Simplicity and comfort describes George’s personal style in a nutshell. “I like to wear what I’m comfortable in and I also tend to wear darker colors,” he said. “I only have two pairs of black jeans and two pairs of blue jeans and those are the only pants I wear.”

As an avid Detroiter, he wished the city took better care of reserving its historical landmarks, such as the old Tiger’s Stadium.

“It’s so unfortunate that Detroit [officials] always brush aside the history and architecture and are so quick to knock things down and allow things to go to ruin before they look at them as an asset.”

 

For inquires or sales, please visit www.gsgfilms.com

 

Asia Willis

asia@detroitfashionpages.com

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COMMENTS

Submitted by Kiana German on 6/25/2009 8:18:06 AM
Geoff is a great photographer!

Submitted by Marilyn on 6/23/2009 4:46:29 PM
Great article, and beautiful photographs of our city!

Submitted by Marcel on 6/23/2009 2:24:33 PM
Great story, Asia!

Submitted by Asia on 6/23/2009 12:31:22 PM
Geoff: Good luck with your exhibit this Friday :)

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