About
(from infiltration.org) urban exploration n. the investigation of man made structures not designed for public consumption, from mechanical rooms to stormwater drains to rooftops; usually such areas are off-limits
This is not vandalism. This is an appreciation for urban decay. This is a chance to experience the beauty of man made creations, from buildings to tunnels to factories, you name it.
This is something I've been interested in for many years. Actually I think I have my parents to blame for this. I think it's genetic. They'll deny it now, but they used to do this kind of stuff when they were young. They dragged me around to abandoned resort camps in the Adirondacks before I could appreciate it. Sharon Springs...Chautauqua...the list goes on....
The photographs on this site are not all meant to be high art. There are many which I use in my portfolio, many which I have showed in galleries, but this website holds ALL of my photos from the places I've been. They are on display for reference and documentation, not just "art for art's sake." A lot of them are crap artistically, but show the state the places are in. If you would like to view highlights of my work, please visit my photography page.
so you want to get in on it too...
I'm not going to tell you how to do it, or how to get started. Basically because I don't know what to tell you. If you're looking for a good place to start, I suggest you head on over to Infiltration.org. HOWEVER. There are many sites I've visited that offer public tours and I encourage everyone to support these historic sites by paying for their tours.
the technical aspect
pentax. nikon n55. minolta z3. minolta scandual III. nikon d80. ALL PHOTOS ARE COPYRIGHT TO ME.
what's the deal with the name
The site name comes from the green paint that must have been massively over produced and given out for free to all government buildings, hospitals, schools etc. Pay attention, you will never escape the institutional green. It's everywhere.
from an email:
Some answers for your pondering regarding the use of "Institutional Green" paint in hospitals, asylums, clinics and the like. The actual color is chrome green:
From the National Contractors Referral and Licencing Bureau
Chrome Green. Mixture of chrome yellow and Prussian blue, one of industry's most important green pigments.
Chromium Oxide Green. Green pigment which is extremely permanent in color and has good resistance to both alkali and heat.
It is an important color because old technology paint pigments were typically made from the chemicals which produce a desired color as a product of their reactive properties. Chromium oxide has a range of vivid colors from orange to yellow and to a lesser extent, green. Prussian blue (I believe) is a derivative of a iron oxide (not regular old Fe02, which is rust), I am not positive of the specifics that produce that color.
Chrome green was used for a number of reasons. It is extraordinarily tough, and resistant to chemical breakdown. This would protect certain body chemicals, like stomach acid, from harming finished surfaces in a given facility. Additionally, it's toughness lends itself to resistance from pathogens and other foul types of toxicology. It's natural hardness makes it an easy surface to clean. Lastly, it's color vividly contrasts with blood, both fresh and dried.
It was originally considered to be a soothing color, but given the nature of hospitals and other such institutions, it got linked to a color of insanity or medical incarceration. Once modern paint technology evolved to the point where we didn't have to rely on complex, and sometimes hazardous chemical reactions for durable finishes the color was retired.
