Saturday 9/15/2007

Ferguson St. - Candler Park "Yard Sale"
I was almost ready to call off going to yard sales this week but I gave in hoping to capture some quality images of people divestments. At this sale in the overgrown yard of a craftsman bungalow I found here a multitude of toys related to wrestling. In a plastic cabinet the seller searched in vain to show me a plastic figure of the late Chris Benoit. Benoit was the steroid enhanced grappler who recently murdered his wife and child then took his own life here in Atlanta. She shifted through a large collection of muscular figured but could not find the notorious Benoit’s likeness captured in plastic. Other stuff here included a plastic bin filled with building from a fantasy playscape, A large plastic model of King Kong, some small plaques with kittens on them, a board game entitled “The Age of Exploration”, a plastic bin filled with assorted fantasy creatures and figures and some books. Among the books I found “The Hillside Strangler”, “The Vampire Book”, “Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone”, “The Dracula book of Great Vampire Stories”, “Nightmare Hour”, “Werewolf”, “Creepy Classics III”, “Paranormal Phenomena” “Tom Sawyer” and “The Good News New Testament”.
I bought nothing.
Model of rampaging Kong in Candler Park.
















Lots of wrestler but not Benoit.















Oakdale Ave. – Druid Hills “Yard Sale”

A little later in the morning while on my bike I came across this sale in front of a stately manor house in this upscale neighborhood. The sale was held on the drive way in the rear of the home. Among the usual old electronics, clothing and household items were a large number of things imported from India. While I was there the seller talked of traveling to Goa to study yoga. Among the stuff from the subcontinent was a large framed silk print of a dancer, a box of hand made paper and small picture frames, two large fabric fish and some assorted hand printed fabrics. One large piece of artwork there featured the image of a sultry Indian woman with the single word Lingam written in a large vertical script down the painting. I also found what appeared to be a cracked paper mache egg filled with feathers.
I bought nothing.



Egg with feathers.















Art with an Asian accent found in Druid Hills.

Sunday 9/9/2007

Hardendorf Ave. _ Lake Claire “Yard Sale”

I wandered from my house down the street still groggy from Saturday’s opening, on Sunday morning to check out this sale. In the yard of this brick bungalow two TV’s and a CRT monitor that attracted no buyers greeted me. Across from the soon to be obsolete cathode emitting devices were two miniature motorcycles that could only be classified as a pair of death wishes. Among some books I found “Contextual Design”, “You Can’t get there from Here”, “Great Web Architecture”. “Kung Fu High School”, “Hodges Insurance Handbook” and “American Gods”.
Other stuff set out in the yard included a hair dryer, a nose hair clipper in the shape of a finger, a bottle of olive oil.
I bought nothing.
A pair of highway hazards on Hardendorf.















Mansfield Ave. Candler Park “Yard Sale”

Later in the day while I was out on my bicycle I came across this sale near Little Five Points. As soon as I got off my bike I noticed that I had encountered the row of Styrofoam manikin heads modeling handmade headbands at a sale on Mclendon Ave. earlier in the year. When I told the seller who was sitting up on the porch that I had photographed her heads before she told me she had a laptop opened and wanted to see the picture. So for the third anniversary of this site I had the distinction on someone at a sale looking at this site while I was at the sale.
Other than the headbands most of the stuff here was not reported at the earlier sale. Today I found a multitude of small paintings of dogs, an espresso maker, a lot of women’s shoes and clothes and some bumper stickers that said “If you ain’t the lead dog the scenery never changes”.
I bought nothing.
A yard sale seller views "Yard Sale Addict" while being visited by a yard sale addict.

















Canine art for sale.


















Shoes found on Mansfield Ave. on a Sunday morning.

Three Years of Documenting the Yards of Clutter 9/8/2007

Another week has passed and I realize that I failed to note the third anniversary of this site. I began this journal back in August of 2004, never sure how long intended to do this or what would become of it. Three years later I have had two galley exhibitions from this work, some very good press and a lot of responses from people around the globe. I had hoped that by this time I could have worked some sort of book deal with the photographs, which now number over 4,000 but I have yet to seriously pursue this.
In the Lake Claire and Candler park communities near my home I am routinely recognized as the guy who takes photos at yard sales. In the long run I have perhaps seen too much. More and more I will see the same items passed from one yard to another or reappearing in the same yards and driveways every year. My world-view has become skewed since I have spent so much time looking at used merchandise. I am not one to spend much time in retail establishments but when I do wander through the aisles of some behemoth chain store I have visions of what will soon move from the store aisles into the yards of clutter. I sadly observe those items with a taint of being over the top, useless or practical only as a gift. Things that are interesting when they are given but useless and impractical the next week. I see on store shelves future of obsolescence, ugliness covered with a tin veil of trendyness as well as gross uselessness pushed onto the consumers with marketing savvy. Sadly it all seems to be made in China at cost that almost put yard sale sellers to shame.
Time also travels at a different pulse at yard sales, If were to chart over the last twenty years the declining frequency of some unwanted devices or clothing it would serve as a time line of failed consumerism. The hot-dogger or electric knife once a staple of sales as well as thrift stores are now endangered species. Some day the George Foreman, and the CD player may walk this same path.
Regardless I continue will continue my pursuit of the discarded and divested.

Glendale Ave. Candler Park “Yard Sale”

Here the sellers recognize me as the person who took photos of their clutter either one or two years ago. This was the yard where I found the large photograph of Atlanta politico Cathy Wollard, whom someone wrote in wanting to know if it was really a photo of Elton John. The image of Ms Wollard is no longer offered for sale instead I fid a diverse collection of clutter that included a peace symbol made of bottle caps, a six pack of Harley Davidson beer, women’s clothing, bowls made from old lps and a pair bicycle tires. Some books here include “Up the Down Staircase”, “Revenge of the Lawn”, “Flatland”, “Dress for Success”, “The Communist Manifesto”, “In Search of Excellence”, “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” and “Man’s Search for Meaning”.
I bought nothing.
Old media put to a new use.













Unbuilt Atlanta - Eyedrum

That evening I participated in “Unbuilt Atlanta” a group exhibition at Eyedrum. The show featured unbuilt architectural dreams for Atlanta. My entry “Grand Lago de Atlanta” consisted of plans and developmental schemes for a major lake to be constructed where the downtown expressways are located. The proposal was met with great approval but like the Nicaraguan trans-continental canal I do not know if this grand scheme will ever see it’s way out of the gallery.

More sales on bicycle

The heat wave is over but I decided to continue trying to see if I can take in enough yards sales without using my car. So I get on my nearly 20 year old KHS and head towards whatever sales may await. My bike does have small rack on the back so I can carry my camera safely and even room for one of two items if for some strange reason I do decide to buy something.

Page Ave. – Candler Park “Yard Sale”

My first stop is at a small sale just a few blocks from my home. Upon arriving a woman there sees me with the camera and reminds me that I took her picture at a sale on Oakdale Ave. “I was the one with the ice skates.” she tells me. Then a buyer arrives upon hearing about my pursuit of documenting sales tells me she has my web site book marked on her computer at work. I am delighted to know that this site is now a diversion to office work. Anyway there was not a lot at this sale in the front yard off an attractive brick home. Among the stuff were some kitchen utensils, a pair of nutrition bars, a flex ball workout tape on VHS, a small plastic novelty container labeled Toxic Waste, a cake decorating set, a large candle holder, some black and white china and a wicker basket filled with golf balls.
I bought nothing.

Flora Ave. Edgewood “Moving Sale”

This sale was in the front yard and inside of a large unrestored Victorian bungalow. This type of home is getting harder to find as all gentrification spreads further south in Atlanta. Like the old home the goods assembled in front of it were old and disheveled, slightly dusty and showing their age. The seller who may have been just a little older than me also appeared like his goods a relic of another era. In a box of books I found titles such as “Communist Manifesto”, “Chess in a Nutshell”, “Unsafe at Any Speed” and “Return of the King”. In the driveway was a partially disassembled recumbent bike. A box labeled 10 cents held dried flowers and metal objects of unknown use. Piled next to some overgrown bushes were a few motion detector lights that were never installed and an old push mover with a back support hanging from its handles.
On the stoop of the stairs was a box of home made chunks of organic baking chocolate with a sign that said they came from his farm in Ecuador. Other stuff scattered about on some tables included pine cones, old cookie tins, old cassette tapes, rolls of shelf paper and an American flag in it’s original packaging.
I bought nothing

Home made chocolatefrom a far away place.














Sisson Ave. - Kirkwood “Yard Sales”

From Flora I peddled out to Kirkwood where I found four sales clustered on one block of Sisson Ave. What appeared to be the dominant or anchor sale was a moderate selection of goods spilling all over the yard and driveway of a frame one-story house. Here I found a selection of large artworks depicting stylized trumpet players, bodies in front of wine glasses and a butterfly. Other framed items included prints of old Parisian scenes and copies of Botero works. A box marked free contained nothing but an old candleholder and about a dozen plastic CD covers. A table with a sign saying everything’s $1.00, held indeterminate things made of bamboo, a faux grape vine made into a wreath and more candle holders. Some books found there included “2 in 1 Instant Cholesterol and Fat Control System”, “The New Fit or Fat”, “The Hungry Ocean”, “Four Blonds”, “The Ultimate New York Body Plan’, “Sealed with a Kiss” and “The Greatest Generation”.
The other nearby sales was much smaller the one across the street had some old bicycle parts and tires (nothing that I needed) a Louis Sullivan biography and some toys. Another sale featured a large collection of gospel lps, a gasmask, some VHS tapes of popular movies from the 80’s and a selection of women’s shoes. Another sale had a selection of horror movies on DVD and a set of old Chevy hubcaps.
I bought a guanabera shirt for one dollar.

Art found in Kirkwood.














Gasmask on the grass.















E. Lake Dr. Oakhurst “Yard Sale”

Here was a classic sale, as a man looked the following stuff for sale - baby goods, old clothing and his two prized possessions - a motorcycle and a totally restored 1966 Mustang. In addition there was a meat grinder, a cream pitcher from the Knoxville world’s fair, some clothing, a few items of furniture and a crab trap.
I bought nothing.

Some things a man must part with.















Melrose Ave. Decatur “Moving Sale”
On my way home I was almost run off Dekalb Ave. (which is a terrible street to bike on) by a Salvation Army truck. A few minutes later when I pulled up to this sale the truck was there and its driver was loading up the remnants of this sale into his truck.
The stuff was moving fast. I found on the curb an old computer with its casing removed. In the yard some tools and a stereo awaited removal by the truck driver. Among a few remaining books I found “Behold a Pale Horse”, “The Complete Handbook of Magnetic Recording”, “The Artist’s Way” and “Peace Child”.
I bought nothing.

Saturday 8/25/07

Oakdale Ave. – Candler Park “Yard Sale”

This small sale was marked by a very distinctive sign on the corner of McLendon and Oakdale created with balloons and a tiki touch. But there was not a lot of stuff here at this dead end strip where half a dozen new homes were built a few years back. Among the items gathered along the driveway were a lava lamp, two yard sprinklers (seldom used now due to watering restrictions), a crock-pot, a set of candy shaped party lights and some clothing. Among some books were “Washington D.C. The Complete Guide”, “Lonely Planet Chile & Easter Island”, “Hamlet”, ”The Second Shift” “The Complete Books of Running” and “The Path to Love”.
I bought a copy of a book of photographs of items submitted to Ripley’s Believe or Not for one dollar.
Well arrayed clutter on Oakdale Ave.(That's me in the mirror)















Oxford Rd.- Druid Hills “Fund Raising Yard Sale”

This was a fundraiser sale for a breast cancer walk and so the items here came from many different sources and did not represent the lives of those who lived in the stately manor house whose yard the goods were displayed in. Here I found a table full of oversized plush animals, a large selection of toys, a multitude of candles, a Native American nativity set and a platter with the letters SKO on it.
I bought nothing.

Plate with initials.















Carol Ln. – Morningside(?) – “Yard Sale”

Carol lane is a street off of Briarcliff near Sage Hill shopping center, I am never sure if this neighborhood is technically Morningside of some other neighborhood. Here in the driveway and carport of a ranch house from the 1950’s I found a moderate collection of clutter being perused by a group of Latino men. While they selected a variety of house wares the seller attempted to speak with them in broken Spanish trying to tell them to please buy some of the cheap plush toys for their children. Among the stuff here was a box of individually wrapper faux fruit, some large Xmas banners, a box of blank certificate of achievement awards, some fake fall foliage, a pirate hat and hook and some, some small picture frames, some men’s clothing, a set of tiki mugs and the aforementioned plush toys.
I bought nothing.

Pile of plush toys.















Box of individually wrapped fake fruit.














Durand Dr. – Druid Hills “Yard Sale”

As soon as I began taking photographs of the clutter assembled on the sidewalk in front of this brick bungalow the seller asked if I was the person who did this web site. It appears that Goggling yard sales and Atlanta takes one very quickly to this website. At the sale I found bins of cold drinks for thirsty customers shopping in the continuing heat wave. Next to the drinks was a box of books among the titles were “Rationalization for Women Who do Too Much”, “Fat is a Feminist Issue” and “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings”. On one of the tables along the sidewalk were dog training books and a dog treat jar in the shape of a bulldog. Other stuff included a cervical collar, some toys, an old TV, a computer, a framed poster of Providence RI and some kitchenware. On the ground were two boxes of children’s books in one box the books were 50 cents in the other box they were free.
I bought nothing.

Dog training stuff in Druid Hills.















Ridley Cir. – Decatur “Estate Sale”

I arrived at this estate sale late in the morning on the second and final day of the sale. The majority of the goods in the home had already been sold so and I had to examine were the remnants of what no one cared to cart away. In the smallish bungalow I found remaining a great collection of books on yarn craft and needlework. The kitchen still contained a selection of old half used containers of cleaning products and drawers seemingly filled with unusable and unneeded objects. The bedrooms were nearly empty except for the closets that still contained some women’s clothing and a pile of men’s shoes. I went outside to a small storage shed where I found little more than half empty containers of plant food and insecticide. Near the door was a pile of assorted debris that contained old tools and cushions. I was not sure if this were trash or stuff for sale. Back in the house I tried to find if there was any fabric work that the owner of the estate may have left behind. All I found was one small crocheted item of undetermined use. But As I searched I did find plastic bags that contained either hair of fur, another plastic bag labeled doll fur, a shiatsu massager, a box of old Tupperware, an old print of a Jewish man reading the Torah and a box of half burned and broken candles and two candles in the shape of pine cones.
I bought nothing



Unwanted clutter in the back yard.
















Bag of doll fur.
















Candles shaped like pine cones.