German photographer Jorg Rubbert's "drive-by impressions" present his vision of economic decline in America's southern states.
"Abandoned rural flour mill" (2012) —
German photographer Jorg Rubbert's "drive-by impressions" present his vision of economic decline in America's southern states.
Jörg Rubbert
The photographer says that some of his photos present the hope of revitalization. "Back in 2007, I took a series of photos in Hawkinsville, Georgia. One of them shows an abandoned food store and in the background, a local cotton mill (pictured). When I came back in 2014, I took the same picture again. There was an Asian food store there and, in the background, there were new silos."
"Closed food store in front of the local cotton mill" (2007) —
The photographer says that some of his photos present the hope of revitalization. "Back in 2007, I took a series of photos in Hawkinsville, Georgia. One of them shows an abandoned food store and in the background, a local cotton mill (pictured). When I came back in 2014, I took the same picture again. There was an Asian food store there and, in the background, there were new silos."
Jörg Rubbert
"The pictures document orphaned and deserted places (but) at the same time, they point out the hidden potential of these country towns," Rubbert said.
"Asian food store in front of the local cotton mill" (2014) —
"The pictures document orphaned and deserted places (but) at the same time, they point out the hidden potential of these country towns," Rubbert said.
Jörg Rubbert
A closing sale takes place at a store in Georgia. Rubbert's ten-year photography project also took him to Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee and Texas.
ʺGoing out of business...ʺ (2013) —
A closing sale takes place at a store in Georgia. Rubbert's ten-year photography project also took him to Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee and Texas.
Jörg Rubbert
A number of Rubbert's photographs show closed businesses on main streets throughout the South. "I think the main streets are a very good symbol for the situation of the South," he said. "In many cases local authorities favor the large shopping malls on the periphery ... over the inner city areas."
"Closed branch of the Farmers State Bank" (2013) —
A number of Rubbert's photographs show closed businesses on main streets throughout the South. "I think the main streets are a very good symbol for the situation of the South," he said. "In many cases local authorities favor the large shopping malls on the periphery ... over the inner city areas."
Jörg Rubbert
Rubbert's photos were taken from the "height of a car door handle" in order to recreate his first impression from the driver's seat.
"Disused gas station" (2011) —
Rubbert's photos were taken from the "height of a car door handle" in order to recreate his first impression from the driver's seat.
Jörg Rubbert
Most of the photos featured in Rubbert's book are void of people, presenting an image of emptiness and abandonment.
"Empty shopping street" (2012) —
Most of the photos featured in Rubbert's book are void of people, presenting an image of emptiness and abandonment.
Jörg Rubbert
When individuals feature in the photos, they usually serve to remind the viewer of how bare the surroundings are. "The pictures should convey an atmosphere of emptiness and hopelessness; the few people in the pictures look lost," Rubbert said. "It seems that they have lost faith in a better future."
"Howard barber shop" (2011) —
When individuals feature in the photos, they usually serve to remind the viewer of how bare the surroundings are. "The pictures should convey an atmosphere of emptiness and hopelessness; the few people in the pictures look lost," Rubbert said. "It seems that they have lost faith in a better future."
Jörg Rubbert
With a full-time job in the IT industry, Rubbert organized his travels around business trips to the US. The photos in the book were taken between 2007 and 2016.
"Cans for Eddy" (2016) —
With a full-time job in the IT industry, Rubbert organized his travels around business trips to the US. The photos in the book were taken between 2007 and 2016.
Jörg Rubbert
A seemingly abandoned store at the junction Highways 14 and 183, Alabama.
"Middle of the road" (2014) —
A seemingly abandoned store at the junction Highways 14 and 183, Alabama.
Jörg Rubbert
A youth center in Selma, Alabama, offers a message of hope.
ʺHope, Love & Faithʺ (2014) —
A youth center in Selma, Alabama, offers a message of hope.
Jörg Rubbert
Most of Rubbert's photographs are composed of run-down buildings set against a blue sky.<br />
"Shaw's Enterprises (2014) —
Most of Rubbert's photographs are composed of run-down buildings set against a blue sky.
Jörg Rubbert
"It's the contrast that's important," Rubbert said. "The strong colors, especially the blue sky, should underline the blatant contrast with the grey reality of the rural South."
"Washington Street Supermarket" (2013) —
"It's the contrast that's important," Rubbert said. "The strong colors, especially the blue sky, should underline the blatant contrast with the grey reality of the rural South."
Jörg Rubbert
The use of shadows features prominently in Rubbert's work.
"Main Street Barber & Style" (2016) —
The use of shadows features prominently in Rubbert's work.
Jörg Rubbert
In his forthcoming book, "Days Gone By: Roadside Photographs of the American South," photographer Jörg Rubbert casts an outsider's lens on the Deep South.
"Cotton field on Route 49 East" (2016) —
In his forthcoming book, "Days Gone By: Roadside Photographs of the American South," photographer Jörg Rubbert casts an outsider's lens on the Deep South.
Jörg Rubbert
A jazz club in Mississippi, one of the five states featured in Rubbert's new book.
"Jazz club" (2016) —
A jazz club in Mississippi, one of the five states featured in Rubbert's new book.
Jörg Rubbert
Rubbert says that the photographs have a political purpose. "From my point of view the administration doesn't seem to care much about the rural South," he said. "They ought to do much more."
"Headquarters of the Republican Party" (2015) —
Rubbert says that the photographs have a political purpose. "From my point of view the administration doesn't seem to care much about the rural South," he said. "They ought to do much more."
Jörg Rubbert
"By showing the beauty of the objects from the past I try to pose questions about how these buildings can be refurbished and the local main streets can be revitalized," Rubbert said.
"Now open" (2015) —
"By showing the beauty of the objects from the past I try to pose questions about how these buildings can be refurbished and the local main streets can be revitalized," Rubbert said.
Jörg Rubbert
A lone figure makes his way down an empty street in Texas.
"Scene at 1:05pm" (2016) —
A lone figure makes his way down an empty street in Texas.
Jörg Rubbert