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Angels in the Architecture: A Photographic Elegy to an American Asylum [Hardcover]

Heidi Johnson (Author)
4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)

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Book Description

Publication Date: Jun 27 2002 | Series: Great Lakes Books
Angels in the Architecture is a photographic and historical study of one of America's last architecturally significant asylums, The former Northern Michigan Asylum, also known as the Traverse City State Hospital.

Author and professional photographer, Heidi Johnson photographed and studied the site for 3 years from 1997 - 2000. Johnson's photographs of the institution today are juxtaposed with rare images from private collections and state archives. The photographs are augmented by powerful firsthand accounts of former staff members and patients that reveal both sad realities and surprising acts of kindness.

The book takes readers on a rare tour through a nineteenth century asylum. Of particular interest is the hospital's "Building 50", a four block long structure topped with twelve castle like spires that is now on the National Registry of Historic Places

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About the Author

Heidi Johnson is a professional photographer whose clients have included The Detroit Free Press, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Mastercard International Inc. and Best Buy Corporation.

She is a former Artist-in-Residence and guest Marketing Photographer at Interlochen Center for the Arts. She makes her home in Traverse City, Michigan.

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Customer Reviews

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4.8 out of 5 stars
10 reviews
4.8 out of 5 stars
Most helpful customer reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars Nice book but short on photographs July 11 2004
By Mary Elizabeth Cook
Format:Hardcover
I was excited to receive this book as a present as I lived in Traverse City for several years and visited the grounds of the state hospital where the photographs from this book were taken quite often and have a great interest in the architecture of Thomas Kirkbride. I was especially hoping to be able to finally see the inside of Kirkbride's Building 50 (one of the most complete Kirkbride main buildings still standing), the gothic building that graces the cover (the building was closed and inaccessable while I lived in Traverse City). While there are photographs of the buildings on the ground prior to their recent conversion as multi use/mixed housing, most of the photographs were reprints of historic photographs, not the lovely work of Heidi Johnson and the pre-renovated buildings. There also were many pages of just words without any photographs (while the detail of the first 20 deaths of patients is "interesting" I would have enjoyed Ms Johnson's work a bit more). I was also a bit dissapointed by the size of the book. It appears to be a coffee table book but is quite a bit smaller. All in all, the book is quite lovely but for someone interested in the Kirkbride asylum architecture this book was disappointing.
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5.0 out of 5 stars Beauty=Miss Johnson's Photography Aug 29 2003
By kriss schrandt
Format:Hardcover
Miss Johnson shows the humility, the kindness, and insight: All three traits imbibing her as the Professional photographer of The Traverse City State Hospital. She has done justice for those gone; future generations shall grasp a better understanding of the hollow halls of antiquity.
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5.0 out of 5 stars This book was an experience Oct 6 2002
By David M. Heldreth
Format:Hardcover
The somewhat haunting photographs of the interior of the asylum makes one try to imagine how life was for those souls who lived there. The beautiful architecture of those majestic buildings and well-manicured grounds is a testament to an era of compassion. There is one photograph in particular that caught my attention, on page 185 that has what appears to be a ghostly image of a man standing in the doorway of room 50. A book you can look at over and over again and see new things in the detailed photographs.
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Most recent customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Spectacular!
This book should be required reading in Psych 101 classes. Photography classes as well.

The author gently uses her camera and prolific writing style to tell a story that both... Read more

Published on April 30 2002 by "topiony"
5.0 out of 5 stars Compelling
"Angels in the Architecture" is a first-rate homage to a former asylum, the Traverse City State Hospital of Michigan. Read more
Published on Feb 10 2002 by Michael Ramseur
5.0 out of 5 stars More please!
I just ate this book up! I didn't want it to end. I want to know more about the thousands of patients and employees that were there... Read more
Published on Feb 1 2002 by Bob
5.0 out of 5 stars Angles in the Architecture
To Heidi....What a beautiful and important history of the
Traverse City State Hospital she has complied...For her work
and due diligence...I offer this poem of gratitude. Read more
Published on Dec 7 2001
5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating, Insightful
One of the most fascinating books I have ever read. Historically accurate, beautifuly presented, enlightening, compassionate... Wonderful.
Published on Nov 28 2001 by Barbara
5.0 out of 5 stars a touching and true history...
As a former employee of this hospital, I give this book my stamp of approval. It is a great history because it is told through the voice of people that were there and their stories... Read more
Published on Nov 24 2001
5.0 out of 5 stars Photographs Speak Volumes
This is a beautiful book. Ms. Johson's photographs and interviews put in perspective the story of early American psychiatric care, warts and all. Read more
Published on Nov 15 2001
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