Project "White Elephant" started in 2018 and is a book in progress that features abandoned places in different parts of Spain.
Ever since I was three, I've loved the book Struwwelpeter (by Heinrich Hoffman), monsters and abandoned buildings. This image series captures the haunting and haunted remnants of an abandoned world. In the mid 80s Spain's highway constructions received a major boost. New and better roads were built and old roads were abandoned. Those old forgotten roads are my favourite paths to travel as they are filled with the mystery of an abandoned kingdom. I like to capture places a lot of people went to or had a deep emotional connection to, abandoned hotels, clubs, parking lots etc. their spirit remains.
Route: Madrid - Valencia, Hotel Claridge (abandoned), Hotel Unknown (abandoned), Disco Club Valencia beach (abandoned and recently removed).
Hotel Claridge. This beautiful Bauhaus like architectural eye-candy is now abandoned.
The telephone on the reception desk indoors doesn’t ring anymore.
A dead little mouse in the dining area surrounded by long forgotten hotel artefacts.
A forgotten chandelier on the corridor desk.
A photo memory left behind.
Abandoned Hotel (name unknown) between Madrid and Valencia.
The guest room bed with a ragged mattress.
Torn remains, an old porn magazine on the shredded mattress.
Broken glass.
Graffiti “Death to Franco” on the wall.
Diffused light incidence in the corridor.
Walking along the forlorn corridor.
Graffiti message on the wall.
Forgotten remnant of a hotel guest.
Corridor corner.
This abandoned club at the Valencia Beach front is now demolished. It lost its physical existence and is now an empty space.
The rooftop view.
The outdoor area and swimming pool.
Club indoors with sea view.
Club indoors, disco ball.