Coming Soon! 'Icons Of The Highway- A Celebration Of Small Town America' By Eva & Tony Worobiec
Often when we think of America we remember the decades which visually set it apart, the flamboyant and over- sized automobiles, the ubiquitous diners, the large city hotels immortalized by Edward Hopper and a concept which until recent years strangely remained unique to America, the motel. In a spirit of true enterprise, each establishment would tout for custom by installing brightly coloured and visually arresting neon lighting. Whilst this was a tradition that was later adopted by Europe and other parts of the world, it could never match the audacity and enthusiasm of the Americans who completely fell in love with it. The 50’s, a decade immortalized by the classic cult movie American Graffiti was perhaps the pinnacle of this fabulous indulgence; sadly, much of what we associate with this aspect of America is now in steady decline. Changes, of course, occur everywhere. Some may regret the passing of our telephone boxes and red-route buses, but most tourists revisiting the UK after a gap of 20 years will no doubt feel reassured that little has really changed in that time. By way of contrast many American towns are being transformed, and in the process quintessential American icons risk being lost for ever.
Cinemas, as well as motels, are particularly vulnerable. Speak to the older citizens of any town and they will tell you how the movie theater could be seen for miles because of the dazzling display of neon. But as habits change, with audiences preferring to visit out-of-town multiplexes or to hire DVD’s, the character of down-town is rapidly changing. There are still a number of independent cinemas surviving, but many are doing so because of a committed group of local people prepared to keep this old tradition alive. It is wonderful to meet individuals who have fallen in love with the movies and are willing to make personal sacrifices to ensure that the town still retains its theater.
Regular visitors to the USA over the last 14 years, photographers Eva and Tony Worobiec have been alarmed by how rapidly many of these independent establishments are disappearing. Motels they used only several years ago have closed down, been bought out by one of the franchises, or perhaps their role has changed. Furnished with refrigerators and microwaves, some now offer cheap long term accommodation. Consult a guide book printed only 5 years ago, and areas of downtown famed for their neon now barely exist.
For the last three years these photographers have methodically scoured the old American highways in search of these hauntingly beautiful places, capturing the dwindling glamour of many of the independent diners, motels, hotels, launderettes and theaters that continue to survive despite the odds. This work is an attempt to celebrate these iconic beacons which epitomize the American dream and to ensure that they do not become a fading memory.
Tony and Eva's previous book 'Ghosts in the Wildness' is now out of print, but you might be able to track down a copy at Abebooks.