This expressive black and white photo shows the interior of an abandoned paper factory in the Black Forest. The centre of the image is dominated by a large graffiti with the word "ARTUS", which refers to a mixture of street art and artistic protest in the post-industrial space. The lettering is sprayed on a cracked wall, surrounded by other tags and messages such as "Watch me", giving the place a mysterious, almost rebellious atmosphere. On the left, a weathered concrete staircase leads to nowhere, while on the right, a massive crane hook hangs menacingly from the ceiling - a relic from the active days of this hall, where heavy machinery once did its work. Tattered papers, dust and fragments lie on the floor, traces of past activity. The large window lets in diffuse light that makes dust particles visible and gives the scene a ghostly appearance. Despite the traces of decay, the space is not lifeless - on the contrary, it looks like a stage on which the past has been preserved in graffiti and steel. A fascinating place for urban explorers and lost-place photographers.
Welcome to my world of photography! My name is Marcel Hechler and for many years my faithful companion, my camera, has accompanied me on numerous hikes in the Alps as well as in my explorations of lost places and modern or historic buildings. I am always on the.. Read more…