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American Fantasy: Franck Bohbot captures Christmas in Brooklyn's Dyker Heights

Christmas might be over for another year, but when photographer Franck Bohbot – the king of capturing kitsch – released his latest project, American Fantasy, depicting the dazzling homes of Brooklyn's Dyker Heights, we just couldn’t resist.

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All images copyright and courtesy of Franck Bohbot

All images copyright and courtesy of Franck Bohbot

Ordinarily a quiet residential neighbourhood, the Brooklyn suburb is filled with both mansions and more modest builds. For 11 months of the year, all is calm. However, come December, the community truly goes to town on its lights and props.

After hearing about this annual tradition, Franck decided to see the spectacle for himself. His artist statement by Kelly Richman reads: "Initially surprised to find such a sight in New York City, Bohbot was eventually struck by the artificiality of it; simultaneously a scene of beauty and one of neighbourly competition, Bohbot viewed the suburban spectacle as a representation of the fabricated fantasy that is so often found in the American way of life. Mesmerised by the pomp of oversized wreaths and the irony of plastic nativity scenes, he decided to photograph such a display."

And so, armed with a camera he returned to the site to capture each house. The resulting photographs are simply mesmerising. Discover more at www.franckbohbot.com.

Via Behance | All images copyright of Franck Bohbot

A brick house illuminated at dusk with white Christmas lights draped across its front and wreaths decorating the entrance, set against a deep blue twilight sky
A brick suburban home elaborately decorated with thousands of white and warm-toned lights, illuminated garland archway, wreaths and festive displays against a teal twilight sky
Row of brick townhouses in Dyker Heights at night with elaborate Christmas decorations including inflatable characters and colourful lights, two parked cars in foreground
A brick house with white trim decorated for Christmas, featuring a large wreath, illuminated wreaths on the balcony, ornate dragon-shaped stair railings and festive garland
Elaborate Christmas light display on a Brooklyn townhouse facade featuring oversized Santa figures, wreaths and decorations in red and mint green, photographed at night by Franck Bohbot
Brick mansion with garage decorated with illuminated white climbing vines and greenery, parked car on street, bare tree branches above, dark night sky, Dyker Heights Brooklyn
Red brick mansion in Dyker Heights illuminated with festive red and white floral projections at night, framed by bare winter branches overhead
Brick mansion with turret illuminated by Christmas lights and decorations, featuring a car parked in the driveway and oversized wreaths framing the garage doors
Brick townhouses decorated with turquoise and multicoloured Christmas lights, garlands and nativity scenes in Brooklyn's Dyker Heights at night
Row of brick suburban houses elaborately decorated with colourful Christmas lights, garlands and illuminated trees at dusk in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn
Brick townhouse with elaborate Christmas lights and decorations illuminating a nativity scene on the front steps, flanked by decorated buildings on a wet Brooklyn street at night
A narrow townhouse with a mansard roof decorated with white garland and wreaths, its three storeys of windows dressed with wreaths and greenery, surrounded by neighbouring homes under a bright teal sky
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