The audacious Henry Ford, then the richest man in the world, built an American town in the middle of the Amazon in 1928 that was supposed to be a rubber plantation for his tires and car parts. It was a 10,000-square-kilometre disaster, despite the cute houses, square dances and company cars. Photographer Dan Dubowitz’s photo art of abandoned Fordlandia is part of the ScotiaBank Contact Photography Festival in Toronto. (Above: Brazilian manager’s houses, archival pigment print)
-The Power House
Ford never visited the outpost and had no idea how to run a horticultural project. Rubber was harvested improperly and both the Americans and Brazilians experienced severe cultural problems. Workers staged a revolt that had to be quelled by the army. By 1945, the town had been sold and abandoned.
-American manager’s house
-Fordlandia canteen
-“Sleeping Child”
-American Hospital
-Cemetery
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[…] Words // Staff Canadian Art Junkie […]
This is fantastic, a very interesting story with an even better catalogue of photography to match. Amazing work, love this!
It is amazing, really, isn’t it — the whole thing: story, pictures and legend. I knew nothing about this until the Toronto festival, and I find it as captivating as you do. Thanks for taking the time.
No, my pleasure, I very much enjoyed this. Thank you for sharing it with us.
This place was already photographed, I saw it in Montreal last year.
Yes that’s right. Exhibits often travel to many places. Or sometimes, several artists produce similar exhibits. This one is in Toronto, part of the Contact Photography Festival during the month of May, with dozens of exhibits.
Here’s the link to the Festival: http://scotiabankcontactphoto.com/events/681
Thanks for your comment, appreciated.
I love the shot with the hammock.
That one is brilliant, I agree. Thanks for the comment.
I never knew anything of this – what a fascinating story!
No, I didn’t know anything about it, either. Truly fascinating.
These art good photos, certainly tell a story…
The whole idea of transporting an American Apple Pie kind of town to the Amazon seems so bizarre, doesn’t it. Love the photos.
Just fascinating: both haunting and beautiful…thank you!
Haunting for certain, and one of the reviews called it post-apocalyptic, which isn’t too far off. Glad you enjoyed.