The Ancient World in America

http://rayewing.com/projects/the-ancient-world-in-america-current/

https://www.blurb.com/b/9455056-the-ancient-world-in-america-vol-i

This project represents six years of travel back and forth across America in search of roadside architectural replicas of, or homages to, ancient places. While traveling for work and school from 2013 to the present, these structures began to stick in my mind. This is more than stylized revivalist architecture, this instinct to create direct replicas or comical homages speaks to a greater spiritual connection to the land and traveling across it.

In America, we have created our own versions of spiritual pilgrimage. We want our grand tour, to see the wonders of the world, but we want them connected by interstates and with fast food restaurants in between. This beautiful escapism and its astounding willful ignorance is fascinating. I can't stop looking for these places and I am struck at how much I am let down whenever I get a chance to visit the original. I always prefer my concrete and fiber-glass American version.