On the 62nd day of our journey we had arrived at one of my 4-star destinations. This place was discovered on one of my many internet searches for places extraordinary and accessible. In Weston West Virginia stands the Trans-Alleghany Lunatic Asylum. It is not a secret nor is it hidden in the trees. This gargantuan edifice looms over the entire town like some sort of wraith-like guardian; part architecture and part gargoyle.
Many of you must wonder why this would be on anyone's list. Then there are those of you who have queried about how this trip will affect my art. Well, speaking only for myself (Susan's take later), this experience speaks directly to both. In addition to it's obvious architectural (largest shaped stone structure in the US) and impressive history, there are aspects of this exploration that reach far beyond what can be seen with the eyes.
Some artists say that their work is about color and light. Others talk about ideas and intellectual paradigms. Those of you who know my work and/or have heard my rants, are well aware of my desire to create work that has a strong emotional and sometimes spiritual core. This is a lofty goal only occasionally fully achieved. Given those aspirations, it should come as no surprise that I am drawn to locales and structures that serve as repositories for human emotions. The abandoned schools, hospitals and penitentiaries are among those places.
The asylum in Weston and the prison in Philadelphia were both experienced within the same week; astounding in every way. Purely for the photography potential they are both over the top/off the chart/endless. At the Trans-Alleghany I took over 300 photos -- all in one afternoon/evening. Imagine if I lived nearby and could come often. Oy! The visuals are truly beyond description. Then there are the most important and inspirational aspect of these places......
I defy anyone to walk through these halls and not be moved deeply by what they see, smell, taste in the air and sense from the remnants of the souls who lived within those walls. One cannot avoid wondering what it must have been like. Everyone just may find themselves wondering, "if not for the grace of God/Allah/Buddha, there go I." The light and color is haunting on a level far beyond anything found on a Discovery Channel show or paranormal discussion on a talk show. The physical realities of such institutions are unavoidable but it is the emotional ghosts that touch us. The shadows are not only those cast by sunshine and solo light bulbs; we can hear silent echoes in these places.
Wandering around the halls and into the rooms of such imposing and yes, haunting, structures is far more inspiring for me than any visit to an art museum or gallery. While in the Trans-Alleghany I heard whispers in my ears and something brushed the back of my neck. I am what can best be called a "hopeful" skeptic about the paranormal and occult -- translation: it seems to me there are things beyond our comprehension and current scientific understanding or organized religion's explanation. I found myself possessed (so to speak) by constantly wondering what it would have been like to live or work in such circumstances. It had to be fraught with constant emotional overload; some overt and some hidden just below the surface. Even the abandoned walls are dripping with memories. So, it should come as no surprise that an environment where the human condition was not merely a literary tool but rather the order of the day would touch artist Rodney. Maybe some day I'll visit (hopefully not as a patient) a still functioning institution of living souls; not sure I could handle it.
Below you will find a small smattering of the vast collection of imagery from our late afternoon and early evening exploration the buildings. There may seem to be recurring themes with the peeling paint, puddles on the floor, shadows and natural light coming from the outside. Well..... some of that will likely appear in future paintings.
More about Trans-Alleghany Lunatic Asylum in Weston, WV:
This place was functioning up until 1994 and has been guarded since. There have been guided tours for close to ten years. These two factors explain why some of the rooms have furniture intact. The electricity is still on and the occasional light bulb is working. On our tour, we were with another couple -- the woman had actually worked there as an intern years ago, added insight. The tour guide was quite informative and was very tolerant of the madman with the Nikon scampering around like a kid in the proverbial photo candy store. Note: We were on all four floors of the main building (over 800 rooms) and the main floor of the medical building. On the grounds there are three other large building including a tuberculosis center and prison for the criminally insane.
We were reminded that what might seem barbaric today was considered humane and effective not so long ago. The field of caring for the mentally ill is an ever-evolving process with many mysteries unsolved. This institution (along with hundreds across the US) was closed as the result of policies mostly enforced by the Reagan administration but including JFK's administration requests for change in mental health care institutions (and prisons). Sadly this process left many thousands of people with no healthcare or even a home. Like much within the field of medicine and health insurance of today, it is a very complex situation. Mental health has long been difficult to define and treat. The people working in the field of mental health are special indeed, the challenges are vast.
From the records of the hospital a list has been compiled of afflictions that led to past patients being housed within the walls of the Weston asylum -- keep in mind that the word "asylum" was then thought of as a place of safety and sanctuary.
Which of these might apply to you:
Asthma, Bad Company, Bad Habits & Political Excitement, Bad Whiskey, Bite of Rattle Snake, Brain Fever, Business Nerves, Congestion of the Brain, Death of Sons in the War, Deranged Masturbation, Desertion by Husband, Disappointed Affection, Dog Bite, Domestic Trouble, Doubt about His Mother's Ancestors, Egotism, Exposure and Quackery, Feebleness of Intellect, Female Disease, Fever & Loss of Law Suit, Immoral Life, Indigestion, Intemperance, Laziness, Menstrual Deranged, Novel Reading (huh?), Nymphomania, Over Study of Religion, Parents were Cousins, Political Excitement, Religious Enthusiasm, Remorse, Seduction & Disappointment, Severe Labor, Sexual Derangement, Suppressed Masturbation, The War, Time of Life, Vicious Vice in Youth, Sun Stroke, Gastritis, Gathering in the Head, Greediness, Grief........ and that's only about half of the list.
In closing, once again I find myself referring to an experience along this road trip's path as being life-changing. It really is absurd. How much can one soul and art heart absorb? Guess they should consider adding "Oddasee-Affected" to the list above.
Sorry for this long-running message seemingly dominated by Rodney's take; blown away I was and am still thinking about it.
Here's what Susan has to add: Rodney is so much more eloquent than I in expressing what seemed inexpressible and inexplicable to me. I wandered these vast halls and kept wondering what it must have felt like to be here knowing one could never leave. "Lunatics" scream, weep, despair, mutilate themselves, walk endless miles in the corridors staring blankly ahead, attack one another and the pipes (dents remain) in rages prompted by passing shadows, rock in chairs until the runner are worn flat, and more behavior I cannot even imagine. It all leaves traces that did not depress me but affected me on an emotional level I have not finished thinking through. Could I loose my mind some day and slip into that twilight place? I was touched deeply by the extent of the suffering contained within these so many rooms and by the effort made by so many others for many years to help. The builders wanted to bring as much sunshine and fresh air into these places believing it would be helpful in clearing the shadows from these poor people's minds; now only shadows of both that desire and their pain remain for us to walk through.
Love and shadows,
Rodney & Susan
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