Saturday, June 18, 2005

European Industrial Landscape

The train ride through the Ruhr Valley in the GDR was right up there as far as visual feasting goes. First observation was that California pollution standards weren't in effect, so nothing was "pretty and hidden".

The somehow congruous admixture of coal-fired industry and Gothic cathedrals - flashback to Koln.

A preponderance of zigzag factory roofing - fading away here in favour of low, flat, warehouse-style factories in designated industrial "parks".

I've found some great links this week to European industrial architecture: StahlArt, black and white photographs, industrial history and architectureby Harald Finster, Aachen, Germany. The site is in both German and "American" - I'm partial to anything mining and steel related. He also includes a very extensive list of links to industrial architecture and history.

The second find (man! it feels like Christmas!) is a French photographer's site Reliques; but unfortunately, the site hasn't been updated since June of last year. He has some compelling photos of a potash plant that I very much enjoy. Some interesting perspectives there.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

These sites are gold, Jerry, gold! I've only had a quick peek at them - I wonder what the copyright restrictions are on drawing off some of the photos? Thanks for the link.

Detlef
http://www.detlefjumpertz.com

PS. I was born in Koln (Cologne) before the family migrated to Australia when I was 12 months old.