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. Don't Forget to: 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.com Damien’s Photography Portfolio: photography.damiendrew.com Damien’s Instagram: @damien_drew Outline: 0:00 - Introduction to Damien and his Work3:00 - Discovering Photography as a Teenager4:26 - Studying Architecture and Its Influence on Visual Storytelling9:43 - Entering the Film Industry Through Serendipity17:45 - Cross-Country Motorcycle Journey in the U.S. as Creative Inspiration24:18 - Observing Homogeneity Across American Small Towns33:52 - Cultural Loss and the Importance of Architectural Documentation1:05:22 - Parallel Passion for Photography in Film1:10:56 - The Decline of Japanese Rural Villages in Shikoku Silence1:17:33 - Tokyo’s Traditional Markets vs. Modern Consumerism1:28:07 - Trusting One's Creative Voice Over External Feedback1:32:29 - Japan’s “Night Movers” Company and Themes of Reinvention1:40:15 - Production Design Work on Elvis and Recreating 1950s Memphis1:52:06 - Emotional Connection Through Personal Projects Over Commercial Success1:55:18 - Solitude in Independent Creative Work1:56:58 - Advice on Following Your Authentic Voice in Art Our Social Media: Twitter: /UrbanautPodcast Facebook: /TheUrbanautPodcast Instagram: /TheUrbanautPodcast Support on Patreon: /TheUrbanautPodcast #DamienDrew #TheUrbanautPodcast #Photography #CulturalDocumentation #VisualStorytelling #WabiSabi #ShikokuSilence #UrbanExploration #ElvisMovie #ArtDirection #urbanautica #stevebisson #PatrickLeeHubbard About Our Guest: Damien DrewTune in to this episode to:Don’t forget to:EPISODE LINKS:OUTLINE:SOCIAL: