Remains of a Handmade Utopia

A poignant article from Aperture about Michael Schmelling’s recent work which “documents what’s left of the 1960s back-to-the-land movement”. It’s sad to see that these handmade houses and simple lifestyles are succumbing to the ravages of time.

“Schmelling’s project is driven by a sense of urgency. “These people are aging out,” he said. “We felt the need to get up there and document them before they are gone. Most of the people we photographed, like their sons and daughters, have moved back to cities. Most of these homes are empty already…”

Have a look at Lloyd Kahn’s substack & previous blog to see at least one of the original members of this movement whose still very active. Lloyd has published numerous books celebrating hand made houses. I was particularly taken by Shelter back in the day and I still have a battered copy on my shelves. More recently The Half Acre Homestead struck a chord.