Honorable Mention
The Crimson Door of the Bittersweet Land
London, England
Aubree Brooke Topai, Lawrence University
Lawrence University - London Center, Fall 2008
This photo was taken during my visit to the Brick Lane Markets located in the east end of London. As I was walking through the side streets, I was instantly struck by the deteriorating quality of this flat. The vibrant, yet flaky red paint juxtaposed with the eroded, grey concrete seemed both desolate and beautiful at the same time. In addition to the unique contrast in color, I was moved by the location of the flat. Over the years, massive waves of immigration have transformed Brick Lane into a very heterogeneous district, with a variety of building styles, shops, and cultures. Yet the defiled quality of Brick Lane is strikingly different from its neighbor, Canary Wharf, informally known as London's new financial district. Therefore the "Crimson Door of the Bittersweet Land" represents both the thriving and dying quality of 21st century London.
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Photo by Aubree Brooke Topai, Lawrence University