Forgotten StoresSHANGHAI INSTITUTE OF VISUAL ARTS

This publication explores closed shops in cities that are no longer in business, but are still deeply embedded in the memories and emotions of the neighbourhoods in which they are located. The project uses visual design to express the ‘soul’ of these ‘ghost’ shops, allowing the reader to revisit their value. The book is divided into four parts, each presenting a different period of time between 2005 and 2020.
The book opts for an archival style format, with a long fold-out layout that arranges images of closed shops along the same horizontal line, simulating the experience of walking down the scaled streets of these forgotten spaces. This design choice emphasises the continuity and spatial relationships between the shops, creating a seamless reading experience that mirrors the urban journey of exploring the forgotten corners of the city.