| abstract |
This is a study of the current culture which surrounds modern ruin, often
expressed as Ruin Lust, and how it relates to an interdisciplinary contemplation of
modernist works of literature, film, photography, and video games that utilize ruin as a
theme. This study proposes theories on the rise in fascination with ruins through a
scientific analysis of the cognitive interest in subjects of ruin, decay, or abandonment.
These theories are referred to collectively as Ruin Lust Attractors. To study this
psychological interest, the Attractors are applied to slow ruins in the United States.
Modern Urban Explorers consider ruins of historic note and mundane abandoned
buildings to be worthwhile. Therefore, all types of modern ruin are examined in this
study.
This study introduces the terms of "ruin" and "abandonment" as they apply to
structures discussed in this study as well as the term Urban Exploration (Urbex) which is
used to denote the current practice of ruin tourism. The subjects of this study are mostly
Urbexers, but all types of ruin explorers and ruin voyeurism, is considered.
Common Curiosity, Historical Interest, Imagination and Nostalgia for the Past,
Architecture, Artistic Aesthetics, Return to Nature, and Contemplation of Self are
suggested as the foundational Ruin Lust Attractors. These Attractors are explored as
common reasons for interest in modern ruin.
The more obscure Ruin Lust Attractors are ones that are more deeply rooted in
human psychology or biology. These are: the Science of Fear, the Tragedy Paradox and
Morbid Curiosity, and interest in the Paranormal.
The ten theoretical Ruin Lust Attractors are comprehensively applied to case
studies of modern ruin preservation in an attempt to propose better methods of
preservation for ruins. The case studies include Eastern State Penitentiary in
Philadelphia, PA and Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital once located in Parsippany,
NJ. This thesis proposes that the same Attractors which generate interest in a ruin when
it is abandoned can be used to create a successful and sustainable model for its future
preservation.
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