03 May, 2017
The United Nations and Georgia consider the region part of Georgia, while Russia and a few other countries recognize it as independent. This makes Abkahzia, which was an unrecognized state for most of its existence, one of several post-Soviet
“This abandoned monumental architecture becomes almost unreal or imaginary, like something out of a storybook, as it enters a state of decay,” - Villette says.
“The quick movement from one piece of the region’s history to another illustrates the jarring series of upheavals that Abkhazia has experienced in the last 100 years.These structures speak; they tell a story based on approximations, propaganda, souvenirs, and stories that are passed from person to person,” - The photographer explains.
"My work as a photographer gives me the opportunity to travel into numerous countries on different continents and allows me a better understanding of architecture and the geopolitical and cultural influence on the architecture. I integrated in my publications the concept of “spirit of the place”, serving as concept of architecture and urbanism", - Author of the images says.
Coffee shop, Pitsunda, Abkhazia
Georgian parliament, Sokhumi, capital of Abkhazia
Gate City, Sokhumi
Theater, Gagra
View of ghost town in the Tkvarcheli valley, Abkhazia
Railway Station hall, Sokhumi
Old rotunda in a restaurant on the top of Sokhumi mountain. Sokhumi is a city on the coast of the Black Sea. It is the capital of Abkhazia
Refectory Pioneer‘s camp
Little culture house close to an old Soviet ferris wheel and other Soviet facilities
Related stories:
Tearful photos shot 23 years ago – Families fleeing Abkhazia
Abkhazia’s latest images - Abandoned buildings and surreal nature
GEL
