Korte beschrijving/Annotatie

A photographic exploration into the off-season state of seaside resorts of the coastlines of Southern Europe along surreal architecture, spaces and atmospheres.

Tekst achterflap

Since World War II, the construction of mass tourist locations has been unceasing. Within just half a century, the sun drenched coastlines of Southern Europe were transformed into a global tourist destination. The resulting agglomeration of overdeveloped beach towns no longer show any recognisable relationship with their surroundings, country and history. Hibernation is an exploration into the off-season state of these places. A journey along surreal architecture, spaces and atmospheres, photographed at moments when their intentional context of use has dissolved and new realities appear. Sander van Wettum’s (NL) invites the viewer to project their own narratives, while at the same time showing the consequences of mass tourism. Including a fact-fiction story by David Richardson.

Slogan/Promotie

Since World War II, the construction of mass tourist locations has been unceasing. Within just half a century, the sun drenched coastlines of Southern Europe were transformed into a global tourist destination. The resulting agglomeration of overdeveloped beach towns no longer show any recognisable relationship with their surroundings, country and history. Hibernation is an exploration into the off-season state of these places. A journey along surreal architecture, spaces and atmospheres, photographed at moments when their intentional context of use has dissolved and new realities appear. Sander van Wettum’s (NL) invites the viewer to project their own narratives, while at the same time showing the consequences of mass tourism. Including a fact-fiction story by David Richardson.

Biografie

Sander van Wettum (NL) is a photographer who’s work deals with the experience of abstraction and alienation in the everyday built environment. He seeks urban places with no apparent relationship to their environment or history. He’s interested in the moment when the intended use context disappears, giving rise to an absurd new reality. Office parks after hours, new housing developments without inhabitants, or desolate beach resorts in winter. They are constructed environments that hold a certain optimistic promise, while they can also be seen as failed and depressing. Van Wettum shoots with an analogue medium-format camera.

Details