• About

dragermeurtant

~ The world is made up of elements. One may catch those by light-writing, or take physical parts in the hand and fit these together (assemblage)

dragermeurtant

Category Archives: Decay

Wheeling

16 Wednesday Dec 2020

Posted by dragermeurtant in Dada, Decay, development, landscape, nature, natuur, outdoor, philosophy, photography, society, street photography, Uncategorized, Urban nature

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

nature, photography, surrealism, urban

There came a day that the car needed a new wheel and we walked in the neigbourhood. The camera was in the backpack not for long.

in need of repair

This was a typical area of trade and operations, and in between there was a small area of bushes and trees.

invite for a moment of rest

Small spots of green (nature?) amids urban environment, easily brings surreal experiences.

co-existence

Buildings and trees share a relation with height.

aside

These are trees, the Dutch call ‘Acacia’, but wikipedia says Robinia pseudoacacia, or ‘false acacia’

nature looks at apartments in high buildings (8 stocks)

And looking one direction, an endless green nature expands for about 60 meter.

survival

While the other way, preparations to build new quarter are under way…

Wirixstraat

And, the destructive nature of humankind is visible in this trolley

victim number 22

It is not good enough, to steal and leave such lorrey, no, it must be smashed…

urban trees

Can trees survive without buildings?

wheeling

The walk brought the aim of our trip, in a different format.

red, light, windows, reflections and bicycle

The last minutes of the time we had to wait, withing the dealer’s compound.

Growth and decay: experience in a sun resort

12 Thursday Nov 2020

Posted by dragermeurtant in Decay, destruction, development, Greece, History, photography, street photography, Uncategorized

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

abandoned, Construction, Contrast, development, Economic crisis, evolution, Greece, Macedonia, Sun Resort

Early autumn 2014, we stayed for some days in big Sun Resort in Greece (Halkidiki, Macedonia). The economic crisis of 2009 had been tempered, but the effects were still visible. Expansion of the resort that had started about eight years earlier, had stopped around 2009-2010, and rapidly, structures that were not finalized got in part demolished.

view from unfinished building to the port and hotel of sun resort

This building stands on the south side of the port. From behind the open, unfinished form is seen. From the harbor, the appearance is ‘better’. A screen suggested a finished structure.

building on the edge of the port, from behind

A little further a second, longer unfinished building.

under construction

A room of this second building contains stacks of chairs and tables. To the left, again, screens have been placed on which the appearance of a nice finished building is depicted.

furniture

A look from inside through such a screen shows only abstracted forms.

screen in abstraction

A small, intimate setting.

two tables, one chair

A bit further away from the big hotel and port, attempts to remove old buildings and replace these with new ones, have been suspended. Digging has created a temporary pond.

reflections in time

Note the historic remnants of original dwellings.

past and presence got stuck in time

As part of the expanded sun resort, an open movie theater was created.

on the agenda “Ben Hur”

Other play and fun places were installed, but had been abandoned for some time: good for memories.

all what is left…

Now, November 2020, an even bigger crisis has started. This week, news about first effective vaccine against COVID19 arrived. However, expectations are it will take one year or longer, to treat people at risk, which concerns most of us.

No surprise, that situation at this sun resort has remained much the same, in as far I could discern today from examination of google earth map of the area.

Take care, be carefull you all,

Drager, 12-11-2020

Growth and decay / Groei en verval

01 Sunday Nov 2020

Posted by dragermeurtant in death, Decay, mushrooms, nature, natuur, outdoor, photography, Uncategorized

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

bos, forest, fotografie, groei, growth, mushrooms, nature, natuur, paddestoelen, photography

In autumn, of all seasons, the co-existence of growth and decay is most palpable.

In de herfst, van alle seizoenen, is het naast elkaar bestaan van groei en verval het meest tastbaar.

A mycelium of mushrooms feeds and decomposes plant material into organic matter vital for growth of other life.

Het mycelium van paddenstoelen groeit op en verteert plantaardig materiaal in organische materie, die vitaal is voor ander leven.

The form can be delicate and tiny (1)

De vorm kan delicaat en klein zijn (1)

The form can be delicate and tiny (2)

De vorm kan delicaat en klein zijn (2)

The form can be delicate and tiny (3)

De vorm kan delicaat en klein zijn (3)

Sometimes shape is complex and huge

Soms is de vorm complex en reusachtig

Growing in a row

Groei op rij

The color grey

De kleur grijs

The color yellow

De kleur geel

The color red (and white)

De kleur rood (en wit)

Suillellus luridus. Easily mistaken for Boletus Satanus or Devil’s bolete (Rubroboletus satanas), the latter being poisonous.

Suillellus luridus. Kan verwisseld worden met Boletus Satanus or Devil’s bolete (Rubroboletus satanas), waarbij de laatste giftig is.

Growth started and even before a mature form was reached, decay started. A fixed condition becomes fluid.

Groei begon en zelfs voordat een volwassen vorm werd bereikt, startte het verval. Een solide vorm wordt vloeibaar.

Variation in matter

Verschil in materie

Up to the next story

Verder naar het volgende verhaal

Cracks in cohesion: changes in rural life in France.

01 Monday Jun 2020

Posted by dragermeurtant in Decay, demography, France, History, landscape, Le Pays, photography, society, street photography, Uncategorized

≈ 5 Comments

Tags

abandonnement, change, country, development, France, History, landscape, pays, rural, society, urbanization

This impression was written in 2017, edited 2020

Up until about thirty years ago, villages in France each had their ‘alimentation*’, ‘boulangerie’, boucherie and one or more cafes. In larger villages – as in cities – there was also the ‘quincaillerie’.

Elder men sat on benches smoking pipe while looking at others playing ‘petanque’.

Alimentation in Les Plantiers, (Departement Gard,) about 1980, postcard

As prehistory tells, the earliest humanoid presence in France dates from > 1.5 million years. Up untill 5.000 years ago pockets of human inhabitation consisted of small settlements. In the neolithic period (circa 4500-1700 bc) agriculture was adopted, with parallel development of appropriate tools to work the land and store produced foods. As such, potteries became established. Settlements increased in size.

The following era’s were defined – in archeological terms – by the metal that dominated in tools (and ornaments), with iron, copper, followed by bronze. A major change occurred with the colonization of France (‘Gaul’) by the Roman Empire, of which period many remains are still scattered across the country.

With industrialization in the 19th century the rate increased at which urbanization occurred – with people departing from agricutural regions, a process that continues up to today. Examples of ‘villages abandonnées’ are found all over France’s rural areas. In some regions erosion added to the abandonment of villages.

Abandonned village in The Provence, ca 1980, photo DM

In addition, there occurred the devastating effect of “La grande Guerre” (WW-I), in particular in the north of France. Whole villages were destroyed to the ground, never to be rebuild. In the area above Verdun several of these destroyed villages (‘villages detruits’) can be found. In villages that survived – which ever the size – memorials were raised incised with long lists of victims.

Mort pour la France (Grancey le Chateau, Dep. Côte d’Or) photo DM 2017

However, despite the fact that grenates and bodies were being dug up for decades after the war, life gradually resumed it’s normal course.

Farmer ploughing, Haute-Marne, photo DM 2017

Society in these areas for most of the 20th century still can be defined as people with their connection to their family, work, village, the church, the school, and trade at markets and shops. For travel – if not by car – many railways served to link villages and cities.

Gare de Veynes-Devoluy, (Dep. Hautes-Alpes), photo DM 1997.

Now in 2017

Many villages no longer have their ‘alimentation’ or even ‘boulangerie’. People must go to large shopping centers on the outskirts of larger cities.

Abandonned bakery (‘boulangerie’, in Langres, Dep. Haute-Marne), photo DM 2017.

In small cities like Langres, the same pressure closing smaller stores exists, but the population plus tourists serve to maintain the economy of others.

Boulangerie Maison Gallien, Langres, photo DM 2017

Yet, even in Langres this nice bakery, “Boulangerie Maison Gallien” is threatened with closure, since neighbours – unlike in previous times – now complain about the noise of the bakery at 4 o’clock in the morning. (sign on door: “Nuisances Sonores – une boulangerie en difficulté”, or “Noise Disturbences – a bakery in problems”, post from Le Journal de la Haute-Marne). Likely, ‘modern city people’ working from 8.30 till 17 hours, tolerate less than earlier inhabitants.

Many railroads have ceased to exist. Schools have closed or are threatened with closure. The ‘cementos’ of society crumbles. Foreigners (mostly dutch) buying houses for use during holidays stop decay of abandoned houses to some extent, but leave emptiness during many months in the year.

Grancey le Chateau-Neuvilles, Le Pavillon (Dep. Côte d’Or) . Abandonned railway station and former track. photo DM 2017

Perspective

The sometimes exorbitant prices of houses / appartments and of living in large cities such as Paris, plus the unhealthy environment (pollution) and the increased number of retired people are all factors that lead to a move out of these cities towards the country. The existence of rapid trains supports this option. For retailers of small shops, however, future remains uncertain.

The presence of places of interest, like former Abbey of Auberive, now also Museum of Contemporary Art (focus on ‘independent art’) helps to maintain enterprises such as Boulangerie – Alimentation & Café de l’Abbatiale in Auberive. (Departement de Haute-Marne)

Boulangerie – Alimentation & Café de l’Abbatiale in Auberive, photo DM 2017

Note, added June 1st 2020

The COVID19 Corona-virus pandemie, that also struck France heavily, and led to a lock-down (including inability to move freely for > 1 km from home) for more than 2 months, might stimulate a move from the city to the country.

*translation of terms

alimentation: food shop

boulangerie: bakery

quincaillerie: hardware shop

© Drager Meurtant, 2017, 2020

Bahnbetriebswerk Bayerischer Bahnhof

20 Thursday Feb 2020

Posted by dragermeurtant in Decay, destruction, outdoor, photography, street photography, structure, Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

abandoned, Bahnhof, Bayerischer, fotografie, Grafitti, History, photography, railway, urban

With railways becoming the most important means of transport over land in the 19th century, repair units also had to be established.

Already in 1842, a repair unit for trains was established south of Leipzig (Germany) as the “Bahnbetriebswerk Bayerischer Bahnhof”.
Build in a half-circle, the repair unit allowed several locks to be examined and repaired.
During the second world-war, heavy damage was suffered, with some units repaired after the war, untill around 2000 it was no longer was kept functioning.

Now, kids can play with skates, and grafitti artists take the opportunity to decorate the abandoned place.

Bahnbetriebswerk Bayerischer Bahnhof

Turning circle allowing trains to enter different sections of the repair unit.

 

DSC09973

“Hush, perfection has no name”.

 

DSC09974

The inner state

 

DSC09979

Broken windows (the cat’s view)

 

DSC09976

The circle and the pitts

 

DSC09980

A laugh at a time brings mircacles

 

DSC09985

The crane to lift

 

DSC09986

Heating

 

DSC09991

Transport of paint tubes

 

DSC09992

At the turning point

 

DSC09983

“Hola”

 

DSC09995

Unit to steer currents

Beds and Fences

06 Friday Dec 2019

Posted by dragermeurtant in death, Decay, History, kunst, landscape, outdoor, photography, street photography, Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

bed spiral, fence, fotografie, gate, landscape, las hurdes, philosophy, photography, rural, Spain

People often buy a bed, when entering adulthood. A bigger bed, when living (and sleeping) together.

When getting old, the number of hours in bed often increases, even when sleep is more disturbed and irregular.

Then comes the time, that those who used the bed, will pass away.

In some regions, people tend to use the bed spiral base, that is left alone, for other purposes. Preferred is their use as part of a fence or gate.

Walking in Las Hurdes (Spain) in 2018, we encountered several such transformations.

DSC08776

Bed spiral turned into a fence (1)

 

DSC08782

Bed spiral turned into a fence (2)

 

DSC08777

Bed spiral turned into a fence (3)

 

DSC08714

Bed spiral turned into a fence (4)

One must not be surprised by the fact, that in the same environment, the number of abandoned houses is high.

DSC08746

House abandoned in Las Hurdes (Spain)

It need more research, to establish whether the transformation of (usable?) bed spirals inherited from parents or grandparents, is caused by unwillingness to sleep on such elements earlier used by people that have passed away, or by the wish to have better quality. Yet, the transformation into fences or gates has significance as signal of the border of states of existence.

 

DSC08786

“Curiosity and strangers / are good partners” (Las Hurdes, Spain, photos and text Drager Meurtant, 2018-2019)

A house in the mountains

30 Wednesday Oct 2019

Posted by dragermeurtant in art, Decay, Greece, History, landscape, outdoor, photography, poetry, poezie, street photography, Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

abandonned, bergen, Decay, departure, fotografie, Greece, Home, landscape, Macedonia, mountains, quiet, remote

There was someone, who built a home.

DSC09669

There was a home, built by someone, once.

DSC09670

Friends helped at times, I’m sure.

DSC09671

Someone is no more, at least not here.

DSC09673

(Perhaps this someone, is now in a senior home elsewhere)

DSC09672

The home gradually, becomes less, and less.

DSC09674

A view from the kitchen window

 

Outside, flowers grow.

DSC09667

(Travel in Macedonia, Greece. West of Orma, in the mountains, May 2019.)

(c) Drager Meurtant

Doubt – Twijfel

08 Sunday Oct 2017

Posted by dragermeurtant in art, assemblage, Dada, Decay, installation, kunst, philosophy, poem, poetry, poezie, structure, Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Dada, Decay, direction, found-object, gedicht, installation, instruction, nothingness, poem, poezie, temporary, verval

Doubt

‘Don’t follow me’
the guide said, and
disappeared around the corner.

An instruction needs
critical examination
full of doubt
before being left
behind,
unused.

DSC07807

Twijfel

‘Volg mij niet’
zei de gids, en
verdween om de hoek.
Een aanwijzing dient
steeds kritisch en
met twijfel onderzocht
te worden,
vooraleer deze
ongebruikt achter te laten.

 

<Image and text (c) Drager Meurtant, 2017>

Subscribe

  • Entries (RSS)
  • Comments (RSS)

Archives

  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • June 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • October 2019
  • August 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • March 2019
  • August 2018
  • March 2018
  • December 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • January 2017
  • August 2016
  • February 2016
  • September 2015
  • May 2015

Categories

  • abstract
  • archeology
  • art
  • Art competition
  • assemblage
  • creation
  • Dada
  • death
  • Decay
  • defense
  • destruction
  • development
  • Figurative art
  • France
  • graphics
  • Greece
  • History
  • inconspicious
  • inside
  • installation
  • internet
  • kunst
  • landscape
  • Le Pays
  • mental health
  • mushrooms
  • nature
  • natuur
  • outdoor
  • painting
  • philosophy
  • photography
  • poem
  • poetry
  • poezie
  • retirement
  • rocks
  • society
    • demography
  • street photography
  • structure
  • Uncategorized
  • Urban nature

Meta

  • Register
  • Log in

Blog at WordPress.com.

Cancel

 
Loading Comments...
Comment
    ×
    Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
    To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy