The fire and the ashes

The undeniable charm released by the abandoned places has many natures, but always talks about what has been lost in a subtle way to the ones who understand its true scale. Different faces of decadence show not only for what they are but for the endless stories and whole lives that these same places retain as a memory, a blurry but indelible trace, a color. Andrew Lacon in his series “Priory” documents without exceeding in nostalgic necklaces the desolation of an entire council estate, abandoned by its inhabitants because of the serious socio-economic issues that plague the region of Black Country, one of the most industrialized areas of England at the end of the 19th century. Yet something infinitely sad in these pictures remains in the background and imbues them of a bitter beauty. “These images become more than topographic”, says the young British photographer, “but an insight to residents’ ideologies”. And perhaps to their failure.

Photo:

© Courtesy of Andrew Lacon

www.andrewlacon.co.uk

(click on the image at right for more pictures)