Multiple otherworldly, haunting and surreal abandoned architectonic monuments stand today like ancient Roman ruins in former Yugoslavia. They have been strikingly captured via the lens of Belgian photographer Jan Kempenaers. This photo collection, Spomenik: The End of History, is available for purchase as a picture book from Roma Publications.
Kempenaers’ monumental photo subjects were erected in the 1960s and 1970s by the former communist regime under the direction of Yugoslavian president Josip Broz Tito (1953–1980). These futuristic structures were to commemorate sites where WWII battles occurred as a bold exhibit of the pride and strength of the country. The memorials represent a collaboration between architects and sculptors. In stark contrast to today, these monuments once drew millions of visitors per year; but with the dissolution of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s, they were sadly abandoned.
Powerful photographs of mysterious monuments in former Yugoslavia. Willem Jan Neutelings, quoted from this book: “The Antwerp-based photographer Jan Kempenaers undertook a laborious trek through the Balkans in order to photograph a series of these mysterious objects. He captures the Spomeniks in the misty mountain landscape at sundown. Looking at the photographs one must admit to a certain embarrassment. We see the powerful beauty of the monumental sculptures and we catch ourselves forgetting the victims in whose name they were built. This is in no way a reproach to the photographer, but rather attests to the strength of the images. After all, Kempenaers did not set out as a documentary photographer, but first and foremost as an artist seeking to create a new image. An image so powerful that it engulfs the viewer. He allows the viewer to enjoy the melancholy beauty of the Spomeniks, but in so doing, forces us to take a position on a social issue.”
[ All images © Jan Kempenaers ]
See/learn more:
The Photography of Jan Kempenaers – PSFK
25 Abandoned Yugoslavia Monuments that look like they’re from the Future – Crack Two
Spomenik: The End of History: Jan Kempenaers – Icon_ology
*Special thanks to J Collier for sharing these photos with me.
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Wow.
Ditto. Crazy wow. :)