| | Unexpected Chicagoland. Camilo José Vergara and Timothy J. Samuelson.
Photographer Vergara's collaboration
with Chicago historian Samuelson was published in 2001,
in conjunction with an exhibit at the Chicago
Architecture Foundation. His focus is the overlooked
pieces of cities and their changes over time, due to neglect,
gentrification, politics, commercialism, etc. Sections include
obvious choices like George Pullman's company town (its
administration building gracing the cover) and Frank Lloyd
Wright houses fallen into disrepair, but also many ordinary
objects taken for granted that gain a certain meaning over
time, like public service billboards, neon signs, 1950's
motels, and the ever-present corner turret in all it's shapes,
sizes and materials. Featuring over 200 color photographs,
the images don't strike me as beautiful, but instead they
document a place and time without glossing over the decay
of time nor the less-pleasing changes that have occurred
in cities. Mainly, the book makes me want to rent a car
and drive around the city, exploring all these places I
have yet to come across in my regular routine, before it's
too late.
. . or . . 
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