Naked City Spleen by Miru Kim (16 photos + video)


I wanted to re-feature this post because even after the last two years, it's still one of my personal favorites…

This collection by Miru Kim truly blows me away. Taking naked self-portraits in places we wouldn't dare visit, Miru draws beauty from old and abandoned subway stations, tunnels, aqueducts, catacombs, factories, hospitals, and morgues. It takes a lot of guts and willpower to visit these desolate places all alone.

Miru was born in Stoneham, Massachusetts in 1981, but was raised in Seoul, Korea. She moved back to Massachusetts in 1995 to attend Phillips Academy in Andover and moved to New York City in 1999 to attend Columbia University. In 2006, she received an MFA in painting from Pratt Institute. To get a better understanding of her work, I highly recommend watching her TED presentation on the video below.


Tour St-Jacques, Paris


Revere Sugar, Brooklyn, NY


Glenwood, Yonkers, NY


Metro St-Martin, Paris


Petite Ceinture, Paris


Luv Tunnel, NYC, NY


Freedom Tunnel, NYC, NY


Farm Colony, SI, NY


Nursing Home, Brooklyn, NY


Morgue, Letchworth, NY


Richmond Power, Philly, PA


Columbia U, NYC, NY


Carrire, St-Germain-en-Laye


Wiesenberg, Berlin


Ruinas de Copan, Honduras

Miru Kim's website

Eugene Kim

Eugene Kim is the Editor-in-Chief of My Modern Met. In May, 2008, he co-founded the website to create one big city that celebrates creative ideas. His mission is to promote a positive culture by spotlighting the best sides of humanity—from the lighthearted and fun to the thought-provoking and enlightening.
Become a
My Modern Met Member
As a member, you'll join us in our effort to support the arts.
Become a Member
Explore member benefits

Sponsored Content