Hiroshi Sugimoto: Abandoned Theaters
“People misunderstand that the end is not coming. It has already begun.”
– Hiroshi Sugimoto
Sugimoto’s Abandoned Theaters continues the artist’s exploration of theaters, which he began documenting in the 1970s. This series captures the state of disuse and disrepair of his longtime subjects. A rumination on time, Sugimoto creates each image using a long exposure based upon the length of the film the artist chooses to screen at the theater. Abandoned Theaters exemplifies Sugimoto’s multilayered practice: the films he chose reflect on the theaters themselves, allowing for a site-responsive form of curation.
![Black-and-white photograph of an empty abandoned theater with a glowing blank white screen](https://fraenkelgallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/SUG-36.005-1118x900.jpg)
Hiroshi Sugimoto, Michigan Theater, Detroit, 2015
gelatin silver print, 20 x 25 inches (mount) [50.8 x 63.5 cm], edition of 25
![Black-and-white photograph of a glowing blank white screen against a water tower and city night skyline](https://fraenkelgallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/SUG-36.001-1117x900.jpg)
Hiroshi Sugimoto, Wolf Building Rooftop, New York, 2015
gelatin silver print, 20 x 25 inches (mount) [50.8 x 63.5 cm], edition of 25
![Black-and-white photograph of an derelict abandoned theater with a glowing blank white screen](https://fraenkelgallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/SUG-36.002-2-1121x900.jpg)
Hiroshi Sugimoto, Paramount Theater, Newark, 2015
gelatin silver print, 20 x 25 inches (mount) [50.8 x 63.5 cm], edition of 25
![Black-and-white photograph of an empty abandoned theater with a glowing blank white screen](https://fraenkelgallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/SUG-36.003-1121x900.jpg)
Hiroshi Sugimoto, Franklin Park Theater, Boston, 2015
gelatin silver print, 20 x 25 inches (mount) [50.8 x 63.5 cm], edition of 25
![Black-and-white photograph of an empty abandoned theater with a glowing blank white screen](https://fraenkelgallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/SUG-36.004-1122x900.jpg)
Hiroshi Sugimoto, Everett Square Theater, Boston, 2015
gelatin silver print, 20 x 25 inches (mount) [50.8 x 63.5 cm], edition of 25
![Black-and-white photograph of an empty abandoned theater with a glowing blank white screen](https://fraenkelgallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/SUG-36-1118x900.jpg)
Hiroshi Sugimoto, Palace Theater, Gary, 2015
gelatin silver print, 20 x 25 inches (mount) [50.8 x 63.5 cm], edition of 25
![Black-and-white photograph of an empty abandoned theater with a glowing blank white screen](https://fraenkelgallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/SUG-36.008-1121x900.jpg)
Hiroshi Sugimoto, Metropolitan Opera House, Philadelphia, 2015
gelatin silver print, 20 x 25 inches (mount) [50.8 x 63.5 cm], edition of 25
![Black-and-white photograph of an empty abandoned theater with a glowing blank white screen](https://fraenkelgallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/SUG-36.009-1123x900.jpg)
Hiroshi Sugimoto, Proctor’s Theater, Troy, 2015
gelatin silver print, 20 x 25 inches (mount) [50.8 x 63.5 cm], edition of 25
![Black-and-white photograph of an empty abandoned theater with a glowing blank white screen](https://i0.wp.com/fraenkelgallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/SUG-36.005.jpg?fit=675%2C543&quality=90&strip=all&ssl=1)
Hiroshi SugimotoMichigan Theater, Detroit
2015
gelatin silver print, 20 x 25 inches (mount) [50.8 x 63.5 cm], edition of 25
![Black-and-white photograph of a glowing blank white screen against a water tower and city night skyline](https://i0.wp.com/fraenkelgallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/SUG-36.001-scaled.jpg?fit=675%2C544&quality=90&strip=all&ssl=1)
Hiroshi SugimotoWolf Building Rooftop, New York
2015
gelatin silver print, 20 x 25 inches (mount) [50.8 x 63.5 cm], edition of 25
![Black-and-white photograph of an derelict abandoned theater with a glowing blank white screen](https://i0.wp.com/fraenkelgallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/SUG-36.002-2.jpg?fit=675%2C542&quality=90&strip=all&ssl=1)
Hiroshi SugimotoParamount Theater, Newark
2015
gelatin silver print, 20 x 25 inches (mount) [50.8 x 63.5 cm], edition of 25
![Black-and-white photograph of an empty abandoned theater with a glowing blank white screen](https://i0.wp.com/fraenkelgallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/SUG-36.003.jpg?fit=675%2C542&quality=90&strip=all&ssl=1)
Hiroshi SugimotoFranklin Park Theater, Boston
2015
gelatin silver print, 20 x 25 inches (mount) [50.8 x 63.5 cm], edition of 25
![Black-and-white photograph of an empty abandoned theater with a glowing blank white screen](https://i0.wp.com/fraenkelgallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/SUG-36.004.jpg?fit=675%2C541&quality=90&strip=all&ssl=1)
Hiroshi SugimotoEverett Square Theater, Boston
2015
gelatin silver print, 20 x 25 inches (mount) [50.8 x 63.5 cm], edition of 25
![Black-and-white photograph of an empty abandoned theater with a glowing blank white screen](https://i0.wp.com/fraenkelgallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/SUG-36.jpg?fit=675%2C543&quality=90&strip=all&ssl=1)
Hiroshi SugimotoPalace Theater, Gary
2015
gelatin silver print, 20 x 25 inches (mount) [50.8 x 63.5 cm], edition of 25
![Black-and-white photograph of an empty abandoned theater with a glowing blank white screen](https://i0.wp.com/fraenkelgallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/SUG-36.008.jpg?fit=675%2C542&quality=90&strip=all&ssl=1)
Hiroshi SugimotoMetropolitan Opera House, Philadelphia
2015
gelatin silver print, 20 x 25 inches (mount) [50.8 x 63.5 cm], edition of 25
![Black-and-white photograph of an empty abandoned theater with a glowing blank white screen](https://i0.wp.com/fraenkelgallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/SUG-36.009.jpg?fit=675%2C541&quality=90&strip=all&ssl=1)
Hiroshi SugimotoProctor’s Theater, Troy
2015
gelatin silver print, 20 x 25 inches (mount) [50.8 x 63.5 cm], edition of 25