The Sloss Furnaces is a National Historic Landmark in Birmingham, Alabama, the site of a remarkably long-lived American industrial concern. The furnaces produced pig iron from its founding 1882 by James Withers Sloss to 1971, when it was finally closed and donated to the Alabama State Fair Authority to develop as a museum.
The Authority decided the site couldn’t be developed and announced plans to demolish it. Engineers, historians and the citizens of Birmingham united to save the site, which now welcomes visitors, offers metal craft classes and hosts events throughout the year.
The furnaces are visually stunning. Whether, like me, you’re a fan of industrial brutalism and its rusty downfall or, like dear GF, an actual artist who sees color and texture and context, you’ll be bowled over.
This is a mix of her still photos and my video, slapped onto an old track from ancient of days. Enjoy three minutes somewhere else.