Destroy This Memory

by Richard Misrach (Photographer)

The photographs in Richard Misrach's Destroy This Memory are a stark, affecting reminder of the physical and psychological impact of Hurricane Katrina as told by those on the ground, and seen through the lens of a contemporary master. Rather than simply surveying the damage, Misrach found himself drawn to the hurricane-inspired graffiti. At turns threatening, desperate, clinical, and even darkly humorous, the phrases he captures are revealing and unique human perspectives on the devastation and shock left in the wake of this disaster.

Genres: Photography, Art, Art and Photography

140 pages, Hardcover

First published September 30, 2010

Reviews

[Terence]

Moving, I wish there was some context from Richard about this series and his other work in the area. I think some of it is clear but it would add more. However the images are so powerful and heartbreaking. Looking through this after Sandy too is a difficult view.

[Bunny]

So, this book ripped out my heart, put it back in long enough to make me giggle, then ripped it back out again.

This book is enormous. Not in page numbers, but in actual physical size. I sat outside and looked at the pictures in my backyard that was, before I owned it, flooded and destroyed by Katrina. Two houses down from me, up until about 5 months ago, a still ruined house had yet to be properly repaired, meaning it still stated that the occupants Shoot Looters.

I want to own this book, yet a part of me doesn't. It's heart wrenching. But alongside the pictures stating RIP and "Dead cat under porch", there is also, "Garage Sale: Everything 50% off", and "We will rebuild, and vote out dirty politicians!"

My personal favorite: A spray painted sign in front of a car that unceremoniously landed on top of a boat:

"Please remove your car without damaging my boat. - Boat Owner"

Is there enough amusement to counteract the horror and sadness? I don't know. But I do want to own this.

[Chris Schneider]

I completed two photo art books recently, and they are on polar opposite ends of quality and importance. This one deserves heaps of praise, showing the devastation of a natural disaster but also the heartbreak, humor, and anger of the people affected (without showing the people themselves). One thing I try to teach my students is to try to show your meaning without having to spell it out.

By contrast, Andrew Moore's "Detroit Disassembled" is exploiting, pandering, and quintessential ruin porn. You can see Misrach's noble intentions to remember a tragedy and respect those involved, but with Moore, you see no empathy, understanding, or even fairness.

It is actually a great study in contrast and I intend to use this as an educational opportunity for my students. Kudos to Richard Misrach! The images are beautiful, devastating, funny, smartly composed, and reflective of someone with a master's eye for composition. Moore's images are not any of these things.

[Anna Sellheim]

This book is amazing but I subtracted a star because there is no write up of the photos. I took this out from the library and assumed (after briefly skimming) it was going to be a collection of weird graffiti. It actually is a collection of photos from Hurricane Katrina where the graffiti is listing 1) people and animals that died 2) people's contact information so they can tell other residents that they loved where they moved to 3) messages of grieving 4) telling looters to stay away or they will be shot 5) messages of rage over the political system that let this happen and insurance companies that refused to pay out what they are owed for the damages.

I only found this out by looking at the publication information on the back and seeing where the photos were taken, that it was published in 2005

[Theremin Poisoning]

Powerful.

[Brook White]

It is really gutting to look through these images. I only wish that the photographer had added more context about his work to the book.

[Ellen]

Haunting pictures of the graffiti in Katrina New Orleans. It's amazing that spray painted phrases could be as chilling as the devastation that surrounds them. These photos force you to imagine the lives that were lost or changed forever.