In the desolate, inhospitable landscape of Bluie East Two, the former US base near Ikateq, two vehicles stand in silence. An old truck and a luxury car, once symbols of power and opulence, now a hushed reminder of what was. The cars's, stripped of their paintwork, have stood the test of time reasonably well. Yet the abandoned interiors, the removed windows and headlights show that they did not live out their final days without struggle.
The tyres, though still pitch-black, show signs of extensive decomposition - a reminder of the unforgiving Arctic climate. Dents in the metal indicate a life of abuse or perhaps vandalism, but the stories they could tell are lost in the silence.
The door of the luxury car is still open, as if issuing a final invitation: "Hop in, we'll go for a tour." The contrast with the impressive mountains in the background is sharp. While the metal is in disrepair, the mountains travel majestically upwards, like a spectacular backdrop to an unforgettable but lost era.
My name is Gerry van Roosmalen, photographer and author with a passion for images and stories that touch. After years in the corporate world, I followed my heart and chose photography in 2002. I completed the Fotovakschool in Apeldoorn, specialising in portrait and reportage photography.
Documentary and landscape..
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