Project: book design
ToNowWhere
Documentation and Exploration of Railways
in Athens, GA
Documentation and Exploration of Railways
in Athens, GA
This book examines the railways of Athens, Georgia, and how these seemingly vacant areas continue to influence the city’s landscape.
Once vital for transportation and industry, many of these tracks have fallen into disrepair. Though neglected, these areas tell a story of resilience, as nature reclaims them while the space also serves as a refuge or temporary occupation for those in need.I aim to raise awareness of these overlooked spaces and investigate their connections to Athens’s history and
present conditions. The book is divided into five sections, each focusing on a different aspect of this theme—
From the physical remnants of the tracks to how people and nature have adapted these spaces for new uses.
It reflects a narrative of change, exploring both the history of these places hold and their present-day significance.
My interest in this project comes from personal experience. While living on North Avenue, I often heard sounds from the nearby tracks—not from passing trains but from people moving through the area. This made me realize that although most railways were no longer operational, they still served a purpose.
That realization sparked my desire to document how these spaces, though abandoned by industry, remained relevant and meaningful to some.
Throughout this book, I capture the state of these railways through photography and objects I found along the way, always careful not to disturb each site’s
current state. This was accomplished by photographing five sites near North Avenue, Thomas Street, East Campus Road, Barber Street, and the Firefly Trail, as noted within the map.
This book is not just a visual exploration but also an invitation to reflect on how we perceive and engage with spaces that no longer serve their original purpose yet continue to shape the urban landscape in alternative ways.
To NowWhere
Copyright © 2024 Mia Malone Smitherman
ARGD 3060: Type & Image_ 100 Images
Fall 2024, Graphic Design
Lamar Dodd School of Art
University of Georgia