Christopher Payne (Penn MArch'96), who spoke at PennDesign last spring about his photographic series "Asylum" is currently exhibiting some of the work at the Drexel University Leonard Pealstein Gallery through October 29th. Continuing Payne's interest in architecture, the series of photographs documents years of research into the history of the little seen public mental health system from the early 20th century. His new images are in stark contrast to popular media images of institutional squalor, terrifying environments that make fodder for horror movies, and systematized abuse against patients typically shown of state mental institutions. Instead Payne looks a lost trend of opening large public institutions in small rural towns with expansive properties, fresh air and gardens (for effective treatment) and world class architecture that was meant to cheer patients and create an environment for rehabilitation. These buildings were made by preeminent architects, but proved expensive to manage with state funds and exorbitant with a waning interest in the importance of mental health. Each institution was designed to be an entirely self sufficient community with the labor of the patients, providing their own clothing, food, and needs from within the institution making them architectural novelties.
The abandoned ruins in Payne's photos show a historical moment, both cultural and architectural, that changes the way we look at the history of mental health in our country. The work took nearly a decade to complete, with Payne getting unrestricted access from numerous states to document their history. 22 of his large format images are on display at the Pearlstein Gallery and it is worth the quick walk over to Drexel to see his technically fabulous and provoking images in person.
The gallery is located on 3215 Market Street and is open from Monday to Friday from 11am to 5pm. Free and open to the public. More info here
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