On this mission, we were equipped, each with our own camera and notepad. We were to take as many images as possible at each location (without looking through the view finder to incorporate chance) and make notes on how we felt about each location, as well as basic sensory observations.
LOCATION ONE
The first place we visited was the blood bank (a Red Cross Donation Center located in Berkley, Michigan), and our "IN" was through a great and brave friend, Ani Alexanian, who had volunteered to give blood.
Written Observations from Red Cross Donation Center:
clinical
sterile smell
bur-bur carpeting/fluorescent lighting
2 sections: waiting room and clinic with closed off interview rooms
nurses in lab coats
asked 5 times if i was donating blood--pressure
questioned about camera 4 times
"are you taking photos? you can't take photos in here. people have sign release forms."
"this is a medically secure place. hippa act"
not allowed to take pictures of any documentation or paperwork
not a particularly friendly environment
windows look out toward woodward avenue
receptionist at front with paperwork
colored tabs on interview rooms to indicate what point in the process the patient is at
red coolers labeled "human blood"
platelett collection
"Ok, you're gonna be saving a few lives today"
LOCATION TWO
The second place we visited was the Detroit Antique Mall, which was probably my favorite and the most surprising location. It is a two-level antique store, stuffed wall-to-wall with relics.
Written Observations from the Detroit Antique Mall:
customer arguing with seller about prices
middle of nowhere/off highway
ice-covered parking lot
painted sign on brick
buzz to get in
like an attic--room after room of stuff on shelves, in cases, on the floor, tables
freezing cold-- nonheated building
small, handwritten price tags
overwhelming
musty smell
two floors-- upstairs "parts"
bay windows gated off upstairs-- line shines in like an attic (no other light)
bargain table "clusterfuck"
instrument room
LOCATION THREE
The third space we explored was R Hirt Jr., a store in Detroit's eastern market. Known for selling of hundreds of different imported cheeses and specialty foods, it is 3 floors tall. The staff was welcoming, and the atmosphere was extremely eclectic and positive.
Written Observations from R. Hirt Jr:
"Sure. Take as many photos as you want."
creaky wooden floors
vaulted ceilings
flats of food on the floor
sealed off cash register
first floor- local foods/imports/appliances
second floor- wicker/garden
third floor- toys/gifts/wicker/garden
wooden staircases
soft, yellow lighting
smells of spices
friendly staff/free samples
hand-drawn signage
"family environment"
LOCATION FOUR
Our last location to explore was The Detroit Humane Society, a place I am already quite familiar with, as I have adopted a pet from this facility before and still is my cat's vet. After explaining that we wished to find a cat for our grandma, we were allowed to take our cameras into the facilities. We tried not to focus entirely on the animals and get a feel for what the environment itself was really all about.
Written Observations from The Detroit Humane Society:
back parking lot
barbed wire fencing enclosing the building
police officers patrolling
burgundy banners hanging from side of building
right off the highway, secluded
clinical smell + wet dog
entry=reception
asked what we needed right away
"have a look around, right through those doors"
adoption area broken off into three rooms
hallway with dogs in cages
doggy doors to small outdoor cages
loud barking coming from back hallway-- can't see
wet linoleum floors
warm (temperature)
most dogs sleeping-- come to greet you when you walk by
adoption papers on cage doors-- info about animals/fees
kitten room-- smaller crates that are stacked
two playrooms-- paperwork needed to play with an animal
puppyroom-- smaller crates, most crates empty
fluorescent lighting
vet area-- waiting room, like a doctor's office
closed off receptionist with window
dog treats offered to public
staff--unseen and unavailable
vending machines
bulletin boards
This process of documentation was a lot of fun, but quite exhausting. Most of the time, we felt very intrusive and uncomfortable with our cameras, particularly at the Humane Society and Red Cross.
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