Photographer Reginald Van de Velde - Grands Bureaux (Fr)

Reginald Van de Velde|Grands Bureaux: It was a cold & freezing winter morning when three backpacks and the people carrying them waded through the thick jungle that’s called France. Ever since we spotted that white security van in front of the building we had no other option but taking the long run to access this place: infiltrating a live blast furnace plant. The place was so huge it could claim its independency: The Royal Principality of Steel. Man, those blasting beasts generated a wall of sound so loud that NASA was able to register vibes on Mars. Industrialism sparking mad’ism. We were more hyper than the little kid on ginseng roots.

Reginald Van de Velde (About) - “I visit abandoned places. I have a weak spot for dormant structures, mothballed monasteries, derelict castles, defunct powerstations and everything in between.

I scout the unknown and unseen. I know from my exploring escapades which path to take, but sometimes I will choose another. Making big drops into oblivion. Ignorance is bliss, someone once told me.

I make photographs. Capturing the sheer momentum of a fragile abandonment. Hoping to inspire and motivate via my actions. And lack of actions. Not because urban photography is currently en vogue.

And remember. Reach for the moon - and if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.”

[flickr]

(via devidsketchbook)