The photographer of abandoned Europe
There is something forbidden (a lot, in fact) when entering a abandoned place . Certain cinematic fear that mixes with our total lack of habit to absolute silence . That special silence that only comes from a place where there has been no one for years, decades even, and the only life that springs up is that of the undergrowth and memories of the past.
There is something magnetic, even addictive , which has led thousands of people to search for these 'abandoned places' . The urbex community has given shelter on the Internet to these building seekers from nowhere, a group of photographers, historians or simply curious, who share this “urban exploration” in networks.
One of them, the professional photographer michael schwan , has been 'hooked' for ten years: a decade traveling through Europe to photograph abandoned places with a unique delicacy, with a brilliant style, with an eye only worthy of one who observes the world thinking about the shutter.
Bookcase of an abandoned house, photographed by Michael Schwan
This is how his project was born ' The beauty of decay ': “People who live in cities go so fast that they don't have time to look at the past or at those places that man has renounced and forgotten. If walls could tell stories, what would they tell us? ”.
That is the objective of Michael and of his inseparable photo camera: to try to find meaning in those walls that are gradually collapsing. erasing with it, inexorably, another piece of history.
Born in Saarbrucken, Germany , his first foray into an abandoned place was with 20 years , when he decided to enter an old house with a garden in his hometown. “I remember being totally ecstatic because I didn't know what I could find. 'Will they catch me and get me in trouble?' , he thought... but the excitement and the adventure were much greater than the fear. Mind you, I was very relieved when I got back in the car ”, He comments to Traveler.es.
Vandalized piano in an abandoned courtyard, photography by Michael Schwan
And this was just the beginning of his obsession , photograph the beauty of posterity : “whether it is a place full of rich decorations or if it is a rather spartan building , everything that is, that furniture that has been left there, they are telling us about their past ”.
His photographs tell us about forgotten palaces (how can anyone forget a palace?), of restaurant bars invaded by vegetation, of empty churches, of kitchens without fire, of factories that no longer produce, of out-of-tune pianos that accumulate dust and of elizabethan steps whose marbles are colder than ever. He reaches them through Internet searches, research, books, leads from other photographers... or simply driving with a thousand eyes on national roads.
Former mansion, now abandoned, photographed by Michael Schwan
How to manage all this movement once you enter such a spectacular, chilling place? “ Each raid is very special to me . At first you never know what you will find, if it is just a ruin or if it will be a great treasure. But I almost always feel like I'm experiencing time travel , especially when I find those little details, like a grandmother's glasses in the kitchen... every place is like a time capsule ”.
Recently we wondered if we can really have beautiful things without spoiling them. Why do we destroy what brings us beauty and emotion in our travels? Instagram is the social network of beauty and also its weapon of mass destruction.
The urbex movement was born with a simple philosophy: explore. And with four clear rules against this overcrowding and, therefore, destruction: “ not be seen entering and leaving, do not break anything, do not steal anything, do not share addresses ”.
Nature always ends up sending
Only then can the secret be kept. Only in this way can the decadence of the place be kept alive (what a beautiful irony, right?). “Many people photograph abandoned places but not everyone is respectful of the place: places are destroyed faster, objects from places disappear... Although nobody lives there does not mean that you are the owner. Don't invade, don't steal, don't behave like an animal,” says Michael.
That is why during the interview we do not ask for specific places. not to an urbex . not to you n photographer who fully respects his work and above all, the quasi-sacred place that is offering you the catch. “I think it is very important to remain discreet. I've been at this for so long that I've been able to see big changes in some places. I have seen them empty, vandalized, destroyed...”.
Abandoned house, with works of art and books still intact
But we do want to know which, of all of them, has marked a before and after in his work : "It is a very difficult question. Yes, I can tell you that I love buildings with details of the period and bas-reliefs, like castles, villas and theaters . I especially remember a ship graveyard. Paddling through the fog to the boats continually reminded me of scenes from scary movies. and that difference between my little boat and the ten military ships that I found before me ...it was really rough. However, the place that has moved me the most It was a house of which I did know the history . The boy who lived there was abused for years. As he explored, I found a windowless room in the basement. There were four old beds there...”.
The roofs of an abandoned palace, photography by Michael Schwan
Breaking into these buildings that have been dormant for years, but whose interior (in the best of cases) is incorrupt, It is shocking . Silence plays tricks on you; the mind, too. Any uncomfortable memories during these raids?
“You always hear some door or window magically close like a ghost. You can even hear voices and other things... but most of the time it is a photographer like you or a current of air. yes i remember a incident in Belgium . We entered an old residential building. Inside there were signs with messages such as 'Forbidden to enter' or 'Uninhabited, not abandoned'. However, it seemed totally empty. The front door was open and we entered very carefully. As soon as we entered, we saw what seemed to be someone hanging from the ceiling... it seemed like a suicide. However, it was just a doll . A bad, very bad joke."
Roof of an ancient palace, photograph by Michael Schwan
Despite everything, Michael continues to investigate, explore, improve his photographs. Also trying to preserve places, taking advantage of the raid to respect the place, trying to deduce the past and capturing it so that it is never lost .
“I think it is important that these places are never forgotten . Many of our current problems would be solved simply by looking at the past. We could sketch some ideas of how to be better today . That's why I think it would be nice if some of these places had a second life. The loss of these architectures is terrible ”.
A simple lamp can move
An old abandoned restaurant