Ep. #48: Forgotten Villages - Elvis’s Memphis and Japan’s Aging Villages with Damien Drew

🎙️ Welcome to Ep. #48 of The Urbanaut Podcast, presented in collaboration with Urbanautica.com. In this insightful episode, we are joined by the visionary Damien Drew—an accomplished production designer and an evocative photographer. Damien’s unique perspective bridges architecture, film, and photography, creating a compelling narrative on the transformation and loss of authentic places across global landscapes.

Damien Drew’s work critically examines the evolving relationship between humans and their built environments. Capturing what he sees as the loss of distinct “place” in favor of homogenized spaces, Drew invites us to consider the beauty of impermanence. His celebrated exhibitions, Everywhere was Wherever and Wabi-Sabi, depict vanishing cultural landscapes, from America’s southern towns to rural Japan. Through his evocative lens, Drew reframes the forgotten or decaying as spaces of quiet reflection, beauty, and introspection.

Tune in to this episode to:
Journey through Damien’s transition from architecture into film and photography.Understand how his architectural training influences his documentary approach to photography.Explore his projects, Shikoku Silence and Wabi Sabi, which capture the melancholic beauty of impermanent spaces in rural Japan.Gain insight into Damien’s reflections on globalization’s impact on cultural identity and unique environments.Discover his role in the art direction and production design for Elvis, where he helped recreate 1950s and 1970s Memphis to tell the story of the iconic musician.

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Subscribe for more in-depth discussions with visionary artists and photographers.Like and share this episode to support thoughtful dialogue on visual storytelling and cultural shifts.Follow us on social media for updates and behind-the-scenes content.

Episode links:
Damien’s Website: ⁠damiendrew.com⁠Damien’s Photography Portfolio: ⁠photography.damiendrew.com⁠Damien’s Instagram: ⁠@damien_drew⁠

Outline:
0:00 - Introduction to Damien and his Work
3:00 - Discovering Photography as a Teenager
4:26 - Studying Architecture and Its Influence on Visual Storytelling
9:43 - Entering the Film Industry Through Serendipity
17:45 - Cross-Country Motorcycle Journey in the U.S. as Creative Inspiration
24:18 - Observing Homogeneity Across American Small Towns
33:52 - Cultural Loss and the Importance of Architectural Documentation
1:05:22 - Parallel Passion for Photography in Film
1:10:56 - The Decline of Japanese Rural Villages in Shikoku Silence
1:17:33 - Tokyo’s Traditional Markets vs. Modern Consumerism
1:28:07 - Trusting One's Creative Voice Over External Feedback
1:32:29 - Japan’s “Night Movers” Company and Themes of Reinvention
1:40:15 - Production Design Work on Elvis and Recreating 1950s Memphis
1:52:06 - Emotional Connection Through Personal Projects Over Commercial Success
1:55:18 - Solitude in Independent Creative Work
1:56:58 - Advice on Following Your Authentic Voice in Art

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