Foreclosures

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Foreclosures

Bruce Gilden

American, born 1946

Bruce Gilden specializes in observing urban behaviors and customs, from the beach at Coney Island to the shacks of Haiti. After joining Magnum in 1998, he tackled the streets of New York City, culminating in “Facing New York” (1992) and “A Beautiful Catastrophe” (2005).

Bruce Gilden's portfolio

Bruce Gilden's books

Very moving. Very troubling. Very precise. Very raw. Brilliant work. Also love the choice of audio, a simple piano, really helps emphasise the desolation of empty, boarded-up houses. Great interviews, and of course, stunning portraiture.

Comment posted by Op (not verified) on July 21st, 2010

Just Wouha !...

Comment posted by Rasta Tof (not verified) on June 1st, 2009

the photographs of a prophet on fire this is it.

Comment posted by Benjamin (not verified) on April 7th, 2009

Comment posted by Op' (not verified) on November 20th, 2008

There are some GREAT images, but for me this essay could have been stronger if the interior images of the people (close-ups) would not have been included. It makes the essay more like a tabloid. It is Bruce looking from sidewalk, and that is very strong already and beautiful. Mehdi

Comment posted by Mehdi (not verified) on November 19th, 2008

When I lived in Denver in the late 80's, there were many many houses on my block that stood empty - not even for sale, as there were no buyers... How long until all these foreclosed homes become squatting grounds for their former residents? If there is no one to buy them, and the banks aren't going to do much beyond put a sign on the front, what would stop the 'homeless' from re-entering? I would hope America changes from "adverse possession" rules to "squatters" rules such as in the UK, where possession IS 9 tenths of the law! But no, according to a Times article I read, the government merely changes the definition of homeless in order to hide the depths of this problem...

Comment posted by bcgrote (not verified) on November 7th, 2008

How true. Juste un constat. Simple, efficace, à diffuser. Il manque un lien facebook.

Comment posted by Anne Bourguignon (not verified) on November 7th, 2008

marvellous essay from Bruce, just what you'd expect,it makes a change to see the real effect this issue has on real people, lets hope Obama can deal with these issues but im sure its going to be tough for him, where im from in Scotland there are plenty of estates looking like this with people on the border line, it becomes very depressing, but credit to Bruce Gilden for bringing it to the public's attention, Its good to know someone cares.

Comment posted by scott (not verified) on November 6th, 2008

Man, Bruce, you gotta get outta New York more! This story is a Beauty! One of the best multimedia pieces that I have ever seen (anywhere). I'd love to see you do a road trip across the States. I reckon it would be monumental. You have an honesty with people and a dead straight approach that makes it all so open and honest and engaging for the viewer. I could feel how open all the interviewees were with you. MORE MORE MORE! Excellent recordings, editing, and photographs. Amazing how powerful the still life landscapes can be of boarded up homes and desolate streetscapes. Very worrying and sad for the thousands upon thousands affected. Hats off to BG tho, I love his interview technique, its crazy how much his voice sounds like his photos from New York look.

Comment posted by Sean (not verified) on November 5th, 2008

superb what a wonderful essay, magnum have always inspired me, and they keep on doing so. forclosures is a fantastic insight to the mighty america, the type of insight the world wants to see, the real america.

Comment posted by jason hurst (not verified) on November 3rd, 2008

Bruce Gilden is a photographer I have known for over twenty years. His work here is consistent with images he has created in the years that I have known him as always raw, honest as you can see from this interview with a unique Gilden perspective of people in their environment.

Comment posted by Yetish Yetish (not verified) on November 2nd, 2008

AWESOME... I so should be working, but this is absolutely riveting stuff... Wonder whats going to happen over the next couple of days...

Comment posted by Lisa Hogben (not verified) on November 1st, 2008