Model T Headquarters, Highland Park, Michigan Possibly 2009 - 2014

Andrew Moore’s photograph, “Model T Headquarters, Highland Park, Michigan,” presents us with a haunting image of industrial decay. Made in the 21st century, the photograph depicts an interior space reclaimed by nature, highlighting the transience of human endeavors. The vibrant green moss overtaking the carpet creates a stark contrast with the decaying walls, symbolizing nature's persistent power over industrial structures. This image speaks to the history of Detroit, once a symbol of American industrial might, but now marked by urban decline and economic hardship. The Model T, a vehicle that epitomized American manufacturing prowess, now stands as a relic, and its headquarters, a forgotten space. As a historian, I see this photograph as a commentary on the cyclical nature of progress and decay. To understand this image better, one might delve into the history of the American automotive industry, urban decay, and the role of photography in documenting social change. It reminds us that art is deeply intertwined with the social and institutional contexts in which it is created and viewed.