Encountering a defunct grain elevator might stir your curiosity—its surreal architecture, the raw materiality, the eerie echoes of an industrial past. Or perhaps you’ve never given it a second thought. Though these massive structures define Buffalo’s skyline, their presence often fades into the background. This animation seeks to change that, offering a deeper awareness of their history, potential, and the role they might play in our daily lives once again.
The Cargill Superior Grain Elevator at 874 Ohio Street, Buffalo, New York, is a testament to the city’s industrial past. Built in 1915, 1923, and 1925, its three interconnected silos stretch nearly 1,000 feet along the river, once holding over 3.7 million bushels of grain. Now, this monolithic structure stands as both a relic and an opportunity.
Through stop-frame animation, this film reinterprets historical records, digital reconstructions, and material reuse, offering a visceral exploration of this industrial giant. By moving the body rather than the object—flipping the traditional stop-frame approach—we crafted a unique, immersive experience of navigating this fortress of concrete and steel.
A collaboration with Billy Erhard.