Abandoned mall becomes unexpected art mecca: a detroit story
The ghosts of consumerism aren’t haunting the halls of the former Hudson Valley Mall; they’re being resurrected as the centerpiece of a radical art project.
Detroit’s forgotten shopping center transforms into a pop-art paradise
Just north of Kingston, New York, a once-thriving retail hub is undergoing a stunning transformation. What was once a landscape of fading storefronts and echoing hallways is now a vibrant exhibition space, thanks to a collective of artists and curators who’ve found beauty in decay.
Curator Marly Hammer and her team – Jasper Richmus, founded by Kate Asmus and John Richey – are breathing new life into the skeletal remains of the mall. They’re not simply documenting the decline; they're actively curating a narrative of identity, nostalgia, and community – a story etched into the very Architecture of the space.
From teen angst to high art: a mall’s unexpected legacy
The project, dubbed ‘The Mall,’ inserts contemporary paintings, sculptures, and installations into the mall’s forgotten corners, turning vacant spaces into temporary galleries. Think 1990s pop culture tributes, miniature ceramic Tamagotchis, and a wall of meticulously hand-painted VHS cases – a nostalgic trip for anyone who spent their adolescence navigating the fluorescent-lit aisles of these malls.
‘We wanted to lean into the history of the mall,’ Hammer explains, ‘Consumerism, pop culture, nostalgia, and community.’ It’s a remarkably astute observation: these spaces weren’t just about buying goods; they were vital laboratories of self-discovery, places where teenagers experimented with their identities before social media ever existed.
A conversation between art and everyday life
The team meticulously restored the building, embracing the existing “ghosts” rather than sanitizing them. A former GNC now hosts “Gallery New Contemporary,” showcasing works that interrogate consumer culture. Lines of vibrant sculptures by Hadi Falipishi, juxtaposed with Linda Colletta’s recreations of a 1984 childhood living room, create a surreal and thought-provoking experience. Stuart Lantry’s Ferris wheel of food and consumer goods, a nod to President Trump’s infamous banquet, serves as a stark reminder of the mall's complicated past.
More than just a store: hot topic’s enduring influence
The former Hot Topic space, a haven for alternative subcultures, has been reborn as ‘Off Topic,’ a celebration of 1990s teen angst and music. The space now hosts pop-ups from local boutiques like Lagoon and Everywhere Shop. Richey notes that Hot Topic held a unique position, attracting those who saw themselves as outside the mainstream. ‘It was a space for identity research and for subcultures and countercultures,’ he says. And the exhibition doesn't shy away from the mall's darker side – a playful, yet poignant, exploration of youth culture’s complexities.
The ambition is simple: to collapse the boundaries between art and everyday life. Visitors will encounter artists alongside families, teenagers alongside art collectors – a dynamic mirroring the mall's original, democratic spirit.
Ultimately, ‘The Mall’ isn’t just an exhibition; it's a testament to the enduring power of place and the surprising beauty that can be found in the ruins of the past.