Dystopia is a journey into a forsaken society. Dehumanisation, disaster and decline are the key themes of these images. The Dystopia series depict a parallel world, dormant and unseen. It shows a world that is hidden within our world.
It is heart breaking for sure, seeing the past splendour in these buildings. Most of the time we are not aware of its existence, yet these places are embedded into our everyday lives.
About the Artist
Reginald Van de Velde [Belgium, b. 1975] scouts the unknown and unseen. As a devoted traveller he journeys into forsaken places all over the world, capturing the momentum of fragile abandonments. His pictures are a showcase of past splendour.
His works have been exhibited internationally in both solo and group exhibitions, including The Art & Science Museum (Singapore), Theater aan Zee (Belgium), Tomorrow Never Knows (Belgium), Fotofestival Knokke-Heist (Belgium), The Somerset House (UK) and the Cannes Lions International Festival (France).
He has won numerous awards including the Triennial Barbaix Award for Photography (2008), he was winner at the Cannes Lions International Festival in 2011 and was Finalist at the World Photography Awards in 2011. His works have been featured in publications including The World Photography Awards Book, Esquire Magazine, and Beauty in Decay. Photo editors from National Geographic Magazine have handpicked many of his works as favourites.