nothing ever dies

Artist: blackoutangel
previous browse art next

Card: US$8.98
Print: from US$38.48

nothing ever dies

it’s easy to only focus on the sadness inherent in an old derelict building like teton.
when you know the misery in the history of a asylum, and you see
only the ruins of what it once was, you sometimes become blinded
by the macabre and morose, by thwarted hopes and unchecked corruption.
if this is all you see – in an abandoned building, in your own life, in the world around you
it’s easy to feel that perhaps it would be best to erase it all, to hide everything away
so deep that it can’t encroach upon your fleeting comforts and contentment.
but, in this place where such terrible, tragic things occurred
there is something else that resides there – sometimes in the brilliant green ivy
that works its way into cracks and crevasses the way lovers’ fingers entwine,
sometimes in the softness of the wind, or the stillness of untouched afternoon sunlight – or
the way gravity welcomes the falling rafters back to the earth and time
absolves its past in the oblivion of unmolested sleep. teton had such beauty – in
the sincerely charitable ambitions that built it, in the graceful forms of its architect’s true design,
in the naive hope of the many who genuinely believed it could bring a cure for the ill,
and in those confined who stole friendships and dignity from the greedy hands of
disgrace and neglect. if you can’t see these things, you’ll never understand why i do what i do.
photographs capture slivers of time. they preserve a point of view, a moment
that would otherwise be forever lost. if you seek truth through them,
maybe you can illuminate the soul of a thing, and maybe show someone else
the proud glory and splendor of the forgotten and forsaken.
the triumphs and frailties of human endeavor may now be heard only in echoes,
but i guarantee you if you are quiet and you listen
you will hear not screams of agony and anguish, but the sweet serenity of final release.
if you approach the past with humility and reverence in your heart you’ll realize that
immortality is not something anyone can ever capture – but if you are very lucky,
through a photograph perhaps you may capture a glimpse,
a fleeting moment of something that, in its own abstract and inexplicable way,
proves beyond a doubt that nothing ever dies.
—-—-—-—-—-—--

photo taken at teton state hospital
more of my work is on www.abandonedamerica.org
please check out my new book, filled with photos and text – the link is on my site’s main page!

nothing ever dies belongs to the following groups:

! Abandoned Asylums & Hospitals !, "Exceptional Ekphrasis", Abandoned Dark Creepy, All Things Poetic, Artistic, Philosophical, Art Inspired by Dreams, Dilapidated Buildings, Dirty pretty things., Eerie Lighting, Moody, Dark, Evocative (no nudes), Nature's Reclamation, Parallel Dimensions, POSTED: No Trespassing, Practising the Dark Arts, Rusty, Crusty and Falling to Bits - 2 Per 24 Hours, Unwanted , Abandoned & Saved Through Preservation. and Vibrant and Vivid Color Available for sale as

Greeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints and Framed Prints

Stephen Rowsell

brilliant. this is composed perfectly. the vine and the leaves are a very nice touch.
blackoutangel replied

thanks. i really liked the spot and was lucky to see it!
Kelsey Williams

This is fantastic! A wonderful image.
blackoutangel replied

thank you :)
ANNETTE HAGGER

wonderful images and words…...you can feel the memories lingering in the air…........you have created beautfiul atmosphere in this ….....and the lighting is superb…..........anna ; )
blackoutangel replied

thank you – believe it or not, there are a lot of photos of this hallway, i tried to make this one mine :)
ericseyes

This is a gorgeous hall of windows and sitting ledges. It reminds me of something out of a Harry Potter movie.
blackoutangel replied

thank you! lol… i could see that, actually.
Mark Heller

Beautiful light!
blackoutangel replied

thanks!
Steve plowman

Superb image.
blackoutangel replied

thank you!
justimagine

Captivating image and words a pleasure to view and read.
blackoutangel replied

thanks! i try to make sure they compliment each other :)
Larry Butterworth

great shot, and outstanding writing
blackoutangel replied

thank you, Larry – i am glad you like it!
DeviousLili

This is Superb.
blackoutangel replied

thanks, Stephanie :)
linda858100

stunning
blackoutangel replied

thank you!
Dafs

Fantastic light, love this shot
blackoutangel replied

thank you. i work hard on getting lighting where i want it!
Matthew Walters

Fabulous shot, perfectly processed.
blackoutangel replied

thanks! i spend a lot of time on that :)
Ann Garrett

Superb
blackoutangel replied

thank you!
Jared D White

What a gorgeous image!! Absolutely perfect!
blackoutangel replied

thanks, Jared! this was certainly one of the more picturesque spots i’ve been to!
michael byerley

such a strong and powerful image !!!!
blackoutangel replied

thanks, Michael!
Squealia

What a fabulous old walkway, just love the wood detail, the dead vines hanging and the autumn leaves collecting on the floor…. as I always say, so criminal….............
blackoutangel replied

thanks, friend. they are in the process of tearing it down now. saw photos of it shredded by demo equipment. that IS criminal.
Tracy DeVore

Fantastic shot! Thanks so much for adding it to the Abandoned Dark Creepy group! :)
blackoutangel replied

sure thing, Tracy! thanks for hosting it :)
Robert Berry

Very nice work! Excellent tone mapping and treatment! Love the way the light falls across this image and the wonderful perspective!
blackoutangel replied

thanks, Robert. i do a lot of work on these to hopefully make them not look worked on… lol
Laurie Search

Wow….I just love this…the light is so gorgeous.
blackoutangel replied

thanks, Laurie!
Geni29

A Fantastic image, I love the architecture in this place. Fabulous capture. They just dont make buildings like they used to
blackoutangel replied

no, they truly do not. and once the old ones are gone the junk we’ll be left with will be no compensation whatever.
GerryMac

outstanding perspective! fantastic treatment!
blackoutangel replied

thank you!
midzing

brilliant lighting,,, well done
blackoutangel replied

thank you!
The9thGoblin

Shades of “Session 9”
blackoutangel replied

hahaha… one of my favorite movies ever.
Amber Galvin

just stunning
blackoutangel replied

thanks, Amber
Jeff Stroud

beautiful!
blackoutangel replied

thank you!
Adam Bykowski

Beautifuly done. I like the spotlight on the floor and how the red bricked building gives the image some color.
It’s just like John Constable once said, “There is nothing ugly, I never saw an ugly thing in my life: for let the form of an object be what it may – light, shade, and perspective will always make it beautiful.”
blackoutangel replied

thanks, Adam – great quote too. i think nontraditional subjects just make things more challenging and fun. it’s sort of like a puzzle, figuring out the ‘right’ way to shoot and process something.
Richard Veal

Superb capture.
blackoutangel replied

thank you!
Babbler

great capture
blackoutangel replied

thanks!
David Craker P...

Beautiful tonal range, very mooving
blackoutangel replied

thank you, David!
AngelArtiste

It is reallz quite beautiful.
blackoutangel replied

thanks! i thought so too :)
linifer

awesome work! sorry im still catching up on all i missed over the weeks! oxo
blackoutangel replied

thanks, Linifer! no worries! i get so swamped, and then i don’t get a chance to reply right away either. trying to improve but there’s so much in life to do!
Julie Thomas

wonderful shot… the composition is excellent!
blackoutangel replied

thanks!
clarkey

You have captured the faded beauty of this building perfectly. It was probably a very grand building, but to appreciate its grandeur, you would have had to see it.I always feel sorry for buildings of beauty and gradeur when they fall into such states of disrepair. This is a wonderful image.
blackoutangel replied

thank you. i feel sorta bad for it too. what a shame that they’re tearing it down now. we certainly can never replace it.
Joy Grassman

absolutely gorgeous
blackoutangel replied

thanks, Joy!
Linda Bianic

Incredibly beautiful….the pink brick showing through the center windows draws your eye around the curve….you anticipate what could be there…..........

It must have been even more spectacular in its day…......though its beauty was only a facade for the reality held within…

Let us be grateful for the lives we live,in freedom, happiness and comfort…...
blackoutangel replied

thanks, Linda – the curve and the anticipation of the destination is what tied it into the writing. much like life, we know something follows but precidely what is the subject of speculation. when it was first opened it was done so with high hopes and great promise, but i wouldn’t have wanted to see it as it descended into squalor either.
DeviousLili

Very Cool! Please consider submitting this to Urban Explorers
blackoutangel replied

thanks for the invite, Stephanie. i will definitely make sure to submit photos to this group from here on out!
hiddenforests

Wonderful photograph, the curves and colours are fab, really nice work
blackoutangel replied

thank you!
DeviousLili

Awesome work! Please consider submitting this to Moody and Evocative
blackoutangel replied

joined, and noted. i will keep new ones going to this group and try to get older ones in too :)
Cliff Vestergaard

I love this Image !
blackoutangel replied

thanks, Cliff! i really liked your reimagining of it!
Lois Bryan

Stunningly beautiful and moving image … and your words enhance the eye’s feast … by feeding the soul as well. You are my new hero. Thank you!!!
blackoutangel replied

aww, shucks! you’re so sweet, Lois. thank you.
jeffrae

Very beautiful picture and thought provoking words…
blackoutangel replied

thank you! i’m glad you like them :)
Tim DeVore

This is absolutely awesome, great perspective and framing! Very creepy:)
†Tim†
blackoutangel replied

thanks for the feature, Tim! it’s an honor!
kristiane

Wonderful work. Superb composition…very moving – both image and words
blackoutangel replied

thank you! they both mean a lot to me!
Robert Armstrong

Absolutely fantastic image!
blackoutangel replied

thanks, Robert!
CraigsMom

What a fabuloous image!!! Congratulations on your feature!!!!
blackoutangel replied

thank you! it’s a pleasure!
DonnaMoore

Your work is fabulous and what a wonderful building with the rich ceiling and floors. The reflection in the windows from outside makes you want to look at what is out there.
Congratulation, Well deserved.
blackoutangel replied

thank you, Donna, it was an absolutely amazing place and i’m sorry to see it go.
TheBlindHog

What a fantastic old building and a glorious capture. It is very sad that something so grand could fall into disuse and disrepair. Thanks for sharing this!
blackoutangel replied

thanks! i would love to have seen it when it was operational, preferably at its heyday!
Barbara Morrison

Beautiful curved lines! Someone put alot of workmanship into building this!
blackoutangel replied

amen. and then we leave it to fall apart and then bulldoze it because we’re too lazy to do anything about it.
EarthGipsy

I love the curve
I love the glass
I don’t like the history!
blackoutangel replied

lol… yeah, i agree. asylums were built with good intent, but they didn’t turn out very well for those inside.
Robert Verste...

very powerfull image, great tones and light
blackoutangel replied

thank you!
David Tribby

love this shot, fantastic!
blackoutangel replied

thanks!
Ioanna Vourakidou

such an amazing shot n treatment !!
blackoutangel replied

thank you, Joanna!
Paul Davey

Gorgeous
blackoutangel replied

thank you!
hologram

Wonderfully brilliant !
blackoutangel replied

thanks
Scott d'Almeida

outstanding;
blackoutangel replied

thank you, Scott!
Wendi Donaldson

Brilliant work….. your writing and image are both amazing and so powerful.
blackoutangel replied

thank you, Wendi! glad you enjoy them.
jacqleen

WOW…..........so RICH in tones, comp, texture, mood, and details…..............just STUNNING!
blackoutangel replied

thanks!
BarbaraManis

Brilliant work!
blackoutangel replied

thank you!
LeannC

Incredible image!
blackoutangel replied

thank you!
Gideon Swart

this has a distinct movie feel . a sad story but also a littla bit of hope.
exellent work and a definite favourite for me.
well done
blackoutangel replied

thanks, Gideon – i’m glad i managed to catch both for you, that’s what i was going for :)
DJ LeMay

I am very moved by both your image and truthful words! Both are amazingly creative works of art… and together they are a brilliant masterpiece!!
blackoutangel replied

thanks so much, what a kind thing to say. it means a lot when other people can connect with something you do!
Malcolm Chant

This is an awsome Shot, One can think back to it’s early days, & wonder what it must have been like.
blackoutangel replied

i know. if only we had preserved it!
windwalker

An absolutely stunning shot – thank you also for your insightful narrative
blackoutangel replied

thank you! glad you enjoyed it :)
Heloisa Castro

amazing work
blackoutangel replied

thanks!
"Chris" Cristi...

Great work.
blackoutangel replied

thanks!
Karen Tillotson

Truly amazing work…both this capture and your articulate writing is superb!
blackoutangel replied

thank you, Karen – i always hope they compliment each other rather than being distracting!
Jodi Franzke

This is the most beautiful piece of architecture I’ve seen…you’ve captured it beautifully, stunning! Jodi x
blackoutangel replied

thank you, Jodi! it was very much an arduous process getting to see it but it was totally worth it :)
lorilee

WONDERFUL!!!
blackoutangel replied

thank you!
Poisonlolly

I agree with all the things you said in the description. You captured whats left from the memories. Hats up! :) cheers
blackoutangel replied

thank you, for the kind words and for reading it :)
Lauri7

Gorgeous image blackoutangel!! I love the colours too. This place has so much character and stories to tell. It stirs so much emotion. What you wrote is also very profound.
blackoutangel replied

thank you, Lauri – i agree. i think that’s why abandoned places are so intriguing, because there is so much you’ll never know about them.
adgray

☼ BRAVO!! ☼
Your writing is mesmerising and your vision is intriguing!
This is a stunning Exceptional Ekphrasis and I would be honoured to have it in the EEG
Thank you! ♥
blackoutangel replied

thank you! i joined the group but am curious how it would fit in, seeing as it wasn’t directly inspired by someone else’s work, save for the architect’s?
Rod Mueller

Awesome.
blackoutangel replied

thanks!
DeviousLili

Please consider this image (and others of its like) to Architectural Details
blackoutangel replied

joined. will put it in tonight.
Misty Lackey

bravo on the windows
blackoutangel replied

thanks! i put a lot of work into ‘em!
AmandaH

Brilliant work… :o)
blackoutangel replied

thank you!
AroonKalandy

beautiful!! fabulous work…..
blackoutangel replied

thank you :)
A.M. Ruttle

You have everything in one package, the incredible eye for a stunning photograph, the depth and sensitivity to pick up the feeling of the place, and the gift of describing the dark/the light/the greys in this place’s story and history. Beautifully seen and captured in every sense. If you had a personal flag, maybe the motto flying on it would be “Illuminate the Soul of a Thing”. I will carry that with me, thanks for the gift!
blackoutangel replied

wow, thanks so much – that’s a very kind thing to say and it is an honor that you feel that way about what i do. it is hard to know whether your arrows hit the mark sometimes, especially with the inherent bias of being the one who creates a thing – comments like this show that i am hitting close to the mark i aimed for. thank you, i appreciate you taking the time to tell me so :)
Ian Stevenson

cool photo
blackoutangel replied

thank you!
Gerardo Sánchez

Gorgeous light and framing. Congrats for this amazing work. The colors have a very beautiful range.
blackoutangel replied

thank you! i really liked this spot a lot, and this has always been one of my favorite shots, i’m glad you like them :)
ys-eye

Amazing find and wonderfully captured!
blackoutangel replied

thank you!
Kieran O'Connor

This is a beautiful photograph, well done indeed :)
blackoutangel replied

thanks, Kieran – i am glad you like it!
adgray

The treatise you wrote in the description box is an ekphrasis
and the way you photographed & presented the art is an ekphrasis of the architects artistic design – architects are artists too!
Chookas! ♥
adgray

PS ☼ Thank you for joining the EEG and I look forward to seeing your stunning art grace the gallery! ☼
Puggs

I have seen that shot UER, looks great, love the site mostly for the images…
armadillozenith

awesome, poignant, serene.. heartening overall.
thank you for this picture and your poetry that goes with it..
yes, I agree.
Jason Ruth

fantastic image, well done; guessing a bit of HDR came into play here???
Parapulse

Ah, Kirkbrides. How can you not love them?
Antoine Dagobert

Exquisite!!!
AsylumWitch

I love this asylum and this hallway is a fave. Your photo is gorgeous! I almost feel I could be there. All the fine details and spilling light are just beautiful. Wonderful work!
BlackHairMoe 24 days ago

Brilliant! Great shot mate!
Anthony Mancuso 23 days ago

fantastic mood and atmosphere
LaraWatkins 20 days ago

I love this peice its beautiful!
I wanted to refer to it in some of my coursework at college we need the artists full name could you let me know thanks !