A collection documenting demolition derbies by photographer Michael Dean Lemon. Identified for capturing dynamic pictures of every day life, “Outdated Iron” is a group of eight pictures taken from a bigger physique of labor. The demolition derby is a permanent, but typically neglected subculture, as soon as central to midwestern county gala’s and true Americana. In the summertime of 2025, Lemon spent 3 months touring throughout the Midwest, attending a complete of 14 demolition derbies in 4 states and changing into properly acquainted with lots of the individuals. Lemon plans to proceed the undertaking this summer time.
“Immersing myself on this circuit allowed me to maneuver past the spectacle of the occasions and into the lives of the drivers and their households. By conversations and shared time, I started to know what attracts them to this sport: custom, resilience, group, and the preservation of a lifestyle handed down via generations. Demolition derbies, like many types of motorsport, are steadily diminished to stereotypes related to working-class or ‘redneck’ tradition. Whereas I typically discovered myself at odds with the political opinions expressed inside these areas, the undertaking resists caricature. As a substitute, it seeks to painting the complexity of the individuals concerned—people who’re hardworking, beneficiant, deeply dedicated to household, and happy with their communal bonds. By specializing in moments each inside and past the sector, this collection explores themes of id, class, and belonging, difficult preconceived notions of Americana and alluring a extra nuanced understanding of a subculture formed by grit, care, and connection.”
