4500 Fait Ave.

A month later....

2011-07-28T22:47:00.002-04:00

Drive By

2011-06-26T23:04:00.003-04:00

I was lucky enough to be in the Greektown neighborhood a few weeks back. I am finding it more and more rare that I drive outside of a one mile radius of the hampden/remington area...

But on this rare occasion, I happened to decide to drive down Fait street, curious as to whether or not there was new progress from a year ago when I last checked the building and discovered it was finally demolished. Yes, it has already been another year. In fact, it might be two. Either way, I was lucky enough to pop in right when they were tearing up the original foundation of the building. I, the weirdo that I often can be, sat in my car taking pictures and videos. It was rather satisfying to be back on the site and reminded me of all the times I spent on that street..with the same hesitation of approaching the site. This time I decided to stay in and not get too close. I didn't want to disturb the workers..

By the end of the week, I should have shots from the aftermath and what is left..if anything..

CSN videos

2010-08-14T11:50:00.003-04:00

Documentary to check out!

Let the research begin..

2010-04-07T19:42:00.004-04:00

Now that the juices are flowing..I like to always begin my initial research by some basic photo searching. I found lots of images of CSN and wanted to post a few to share. I went to the Nantional Library today in Rio and am sad to say it is closed for renovation..so the written research I wanted to begin today didn't happen. I have to be more creative..

for now some pictures..

Volta Redonda

2010-04-06T17:01:00.005-04:00

I had originally written a proposal close to two years ago about investigating a steel mill in Latin America called CSN. It is located in a city called Volta Redonda which is located in Rio de Janeiro state, about 2 hours from the city of Rio. It is the next link to the 4500 Fait Ave project. With some time, this idea has been building and now this past week I was given some good contacts to visit the steel mill. Hopefully I will be able to begin some good research in the next few weeks. Here are a few pictures from my initial visit to the city...

Original proposal..

My most recent work involves researching and analyzing the industrial history of Baltimore. In my work I practice seeing as a way of rediscovering my environment. I have been investigating the history and space within an abandoned building in the city. This investigation has led me to a piece called 4500 Fait Ave. In this piece, through discovering a huge source of newsprint, I am addressing the issue of recycling and waste as well as the history of the material. Through my interaction with this newsprint I have become deeply involved in understanding the history of this empty space that is now only occupied by wasted materials. I have begun to gather and transport some of these discarded materials for use in installations. In addition to this exploration of the throw away material, I also intend to continue working on how the space could lead to a community based project. It is my intention to involve the community in discussing the history of this space and the importance of preserving spaces with a rich history. I've created a website called 4500 Fait Ave (http://4500faitave.blogspot.com) and have invited members of the community to discuss issues such as these. My involvement with this building has strengthened my knowledge of the history of the community the building resides in as well as the industrial history in Baltimore specifically in steel production.

Steel came to Baltimore in the 1880s, when Pennsylvania-based Bethlehem Steel created an outpost on the tidewaters of Sparrows Point in Baltimore County. With the rise of industry came the development of new jobs, businesses and the gentrification of land forming new communities. Once the industry began to decline there was a drastic shift in the use of land. Baltimore lost over 100,000 manufacturing jobs between 1950 and 1995. The collapse of industry led to a number of changes in the demographic makeup of the city and the surrounding region, contributing to a crisis in urban poverty that lingers today. As quick as communities formed around industrial businesses they shifted along with the trends and development of production over seas.
This production has prospered in places over seas such as Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Marburg Scholarship would fund my travels to Rio to learn about the global shifts of steel production and the history relative to the city of Rio and Sao Paulo. Volta Redona hosts the first steel mill in South America. The city is sometimes known as Cidade do Aco which in Portuguese means steel city. The steel mill is called Companhia Siderígica Nacional. It opened in 1941 and is still one of the world's most efficient steel production facilities. Each year they produce about 6 million tons of raw steel and more than 5 million tons of laminates. I am interested in making connections between Baltimore's steel production and this city as well as the boom of manufacturing in Sao Paulo.

Through this trip I hope to gather research and photographs that capture the production process. I am drawn to the concept of assembly lines and ways in which factories operate by producing masses of a product through planned processes. My intent is to create large-scale metal pieces in response to this trip and information I have gathered that reflect the connections between Brazil and Baltimore.

Old Pictures from the Space

2010-04-06T16:48:00.002-04:00

I've been meaning to post these pictures. These are a few more shots from the space that I like a lot. I will be moving back to Baltimore in June and am pretty eager to see what new development has take place on the site.

Update on site

2009-06-06T11:57:00.006-04:00

Alexandre Orion

2009-01-06T01:51:00.003-05:00

New Beginnings..

2008-12-14T19:50:00.010-05:00

I have been meaning to post these but have been gone the last few months in Brazil.
The only thing really I can say about my trip is that I learned a lot. I didn't nescessarily get to do and see everything that I had hoped but I definitely plan to go back. In terms of the connections with the warehouse, it is going to take some time. I need to do more research and better planning but it is totally possible. I am looking forward to the challenge.

These photos are from the space of the warehouse after it was torn down. I drove to check it out one day right before I left for Brazil. It was the beginning of September. I walked around to see if anything was left because part of the foundation is still seen. I found a few random things but nothing really worth saving. I took a few snap shots and hope to keep returning to the site to watch the redevelopment.

Photo my friend Tamara took of me walking on the site. The old Crown Cork and Seal Factory is pictured in the background.

I was in Baltimore a couple weeks ago but wasn't able to make it out to the site but I am sure they haven't started anything. Any construction involving housing is pretty slim right now. I was however able to make it to a meeting at Wind Up Space concerning abandoned and vacant spaces throughout the city. It was really helpful and I enjoyed hearing what everyone thought about these spaces. It expanded my own thoughts. It was however, more centered around the vacant spaces that are more residential but still equally important. I am hoping to get involved in a group project to revamp some blocks and create installations on the sites. I have to get back in to Baltimore though first, which is taking longer than I had hoped.

Onward

2008-08-08T19:54:00.002-04:00

As of September 11th I will be journeying to Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. One of my main missions is to learn about the steel industry that began in Rio. It is home to the first major steel mill in Latin American. My hope is it will be teach me more about the industry that once thrived in Baltimore. The picture above is from the warehouse in Baltimore. This is one of my favorite images and memories at the warehouse. The CSX railroad station still past the building.

2008-08-06T13:03:00.002-04:00

It's funny how you become attached to a space. How a space develops a history that is constantly changing. It seems as though no single space can stay the same. This building has character and a history that I am still trying to understand. Parts are still a mystery.

The history that I am interested in hearing now is from individuals. Stories.

I met an interesting individual one time I was in the building. (the one and only time I spoke to someone there) He lived just up the block in one of the row houses near Ponac and was looking for some wood to use for a fire. He seemed to be a loyal member of the community and had a great understanding of the communities history. Apparently his grandmother originally owned the house he lives in. We spoke a little bit about the building being torn down soon. He suggested it be used as a rail car museum rather than more houses. Apparently he has already heard a bit about the prices for the housing and felt it was going to be difficult to afford living there for people. I'm curious to hear more from people in the community about this development. Shouldn't there we more concern for the communities needs?

I personally think a community center would be a good solution. I've seen kids in the building several times. Just hanging out. Listening to music and chatting with friends. Perhaps it's because they don't have a space like that anywhere.

It's all coming to an end..

2008-06-06T00:05:00.004-04:00

I just received word from my connection at the Greek Development Corporation that the developers received their funding so demolition will start soon. The good news is that I am in the process of working on gaining access to the building the last final days to shoot some video work and create some installations. I also am hoping to get permission to document the demolition. Just waiting for the final say...so far so good...wish me luck.

Save the Date!

2008-05-30T14:37:00.006-04:00

On June 5, 6, 7, & 8, 2008, the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox community of Baltimore, Maryland hosts the Greek Folk Festival, Maryland's largest annual celebration of all things Greek - food, music, and dance. Join us for the SUPER-SIZED Greek Folk Festival 2008: "Passport to the Islands of Greece."

The festival happens not far from the warehouse..520 South Ponca Street. Check out it if you have a chance. I plan to attend sometime over the weekend if possible.

More info at the website- http://www.greekfolkfestival.com/home.html

Recent visit to the warehouse

2008-05-30T14:05:00.005-04:00

Yesterday I stopped by the warehouse to begin a new project of tracking the materials that are coming in and leaving the space. Recently a lot of people have been dumping trash inside the building. I did notice that there were a few things missing..rather large things- metal equipment.

I also discovered some recent graffiti found in a few spots throughout the building. My hope is within the coming weeks I will be able to utilize this space one last time before it is torn down.

There is still no solid answer on when it is going to be torn down. I am going away for a few weeks and I just hope it is still standing when I get back!!

If anyone has any stories, thoughts, suggestions, or historical reference to the building feel free to leave a comment in regard to my research and findings.

Entrance on Second Level

2008-05-26T13:37:00.000-04:00

Newspaper Reused

2008-05-20T13:33:00.003-04:00

This show contained the majority of newsprint that I found in the warehouse. The video is a walk through of my space and shows how I utilized the newspaper in a few different ways.

2008-05-07T16:17:00.000-04:00

Materials Left Behind

2008-05-06T18:04:00.002-04:00

Floor Plans

2008-05-03T07:37:00.004-04:00

2008-05-03T07:18:00.004-04:00

These images contain research regarding more recent use of the space. The Sanborn Map on the right shows the use of the space during the 1950s, shortly after it was built. The space was built in 1940.

The changing landscape of Baltimore

2008-05-03T07:03:00.002-04:00

These pages show research that was gathered regarding the use of the space prior to the building being constructed.

Wise Words

2008-05-03T07:00:00.001-04:00

“Cities need old buildings so badly it is probably impossible for vigorous streets and districts to grow without them.... for really new ideas of any kind—no matter how ultimately profitable or otherwise successful some of them might prove to be—there is no leeway for such chancy trial, error and experimentation in the high-overhead economy of new construction. Old ideas can sometimes use new buildings. New ideas must use old buildings.”

- Jane Jacobs

Paper. Lots and Lots of Paper

2008-04-27T02:28:00.006-04:00

My initial interest in this building was because of my discovery of a mass quantity of paper towards the back of the space. There were 13 pallets of newsprint about a Non-Smoking Campaign for the youth in the city.

130,000 pamphlets per pallet.

Full Shot of Space

2008-04-24T03:48:00.001-04:00

I recently became interested in researching the history of abandonded spaces around Baltimore. This interest led me to this space in Greektown. I was astonished that a space like this hadn't been restored and utilized yet. The structure of the building is amazing and holds information to the history of this city. Why aren't more spaces like this restored? The obvious answer would be it financially isn't realistic but couldn't some part of it be saved? We need to hold onto spaces like these instead of demolishing them because all it does is just creates more waste and destroys this history that can't be recreated.

Aerial Shot

2008-04-21T21:47:00.000-04:00