The foreclosure crisis seems to manifest itself through various forms and various degrees of violation of intimacy, of which the actual act of repossession is just one. It’s quite fascinating how this is possible the first crisis of our times that has a distinctive architectural aesthetic – empty, detached suburban mansions connected by deserted streets, or slum-like frame houses in varying states of dilapidation.

From a visual point of view, the way the foreclosure crisis was collectively experienced was actually through a series of visits (both on TV and in the papers) to domestic, supposedly intimate, architectural spaces.

There was a whole other layer to the crisis that involved a performative, ritualistic violation of intimacy.  I recently attended a foreclosure tour, which are realtor-arranged bus rides for prospective buyers to visit foreclosed homes in rapid succession, and bid on them at knock-off prices.”

One of the things I find most fascinating is the way in which these dwellings have been very carefully divested of all traces of the intimacy of the family that lived there, so as to not rouse feelings of guilt in the prospective buyers; on the other hand, details continue to emerge – doors that someone has punched a fist through, children’s stickers on the roof of the bedroom, etc.