Christopher Rimmer is a Melbourne-based fine art photographer who’s forthcoming exhibition, Sign of Life, is a visual examination of the tragedy of two abandoned towns slowly being buried by the sands. The images were shot on location in the diamond mining towns of Elizabeth Bay and Kolmanskop in South Western Namibia. Local institutions such as the hospital, ballroom, power station, theatre, casino, ice factory and the first x-ray-station in the Western Hemisphere are all shown in a surreal and almost unrecognisable state.Driven by the enormous wealth of the first diamond miners, the two towns were once the symbol of prosperity and growth. The residents built both villages in the architectural style of German towns. After World War II, diamonds were found more plentiful elsewhere and the last resident moved away in 1951. A melancholic atmosphere pervades what remains of both towns. The encroaching desert sands that fill some of the buildings to the ceiling, combined with worn interiors and the patina of once brightly painted walls, combine to create a truly unique environment of baffling beauty.Can’t get enough? See more images in the gallery below. Rimmer’s ‘Sign of Life’ series will be exhibited during 2014.Check out more posts about Abandoned Buildings on Yellowtrace. Bedroom Door, Elizabeth Bay, Namibia, 2013 A Private House, Elizabeth Bay, Namibia, 2013 Bathroom Door, Kolmanskop, Namibia, 2013 Door to Kitchen, Elizabeth Bay, Namibia, 2013 School Classroom, Kolmanskop, Namibia, 2013 Bathroom Door, Elizabeth Bay, Namibia, 2013 A Class Room, Kolmanskop, Namibia, 2013 A Front Door, Kolmanskop, Namibia, 2013 The Hospital, Kolmanskop, Namibia, 2013 The Hospital Entrance, Kolmanskop, Namibia, 2013 The Kommandant’s Voorkamer, Kolmanskop, Namibia, 2013 The Miner’s Hostel, Kolmanskop, Namibia, 2013 Bedroom Door, Elizabeth Bay, Namibia, 2013 School Building, Kolmanskop, Namibia, 2013 The Blue Room, Kolmanskop, Namibia, 2013 Town Planner’s Residence, Kolmanskop, Namibia, 2013 Interior Detail, Kolmanskop, Namibia, 2013 Bedroom in the Architect’s House, Kolmanskop, Namibia, 2013 [Images courtesy of Christopher Rimmer.] Share the love:FacebookTwitterLinkedInEmailPinterest 3 Responses Ari February 13, 2014 Like an architectural memento mori.They sort of confound scale expectations too, the sand somehow looks like huge dunes, perhaps the buildings are even bigger and people are no larger than the keyholes.Beautiful, thank you. Reply Christopher Rimmer | Cada d July 22, 2014 […] Christopher Rimmer’s Haunting Images of Abandoned Towns Buried by Sand.en yellowtrace(EN [24f]). […] Reply Christopher Rimmer | Cada día un fotógrafo August 17, 2014 […] Christopher Rimmer’s Haunting Images of Abandoned Towns Buried by Sand.en yellowtrace(EN [24f]). […] ReplyLeave a Reply Cancel ReplyYour email address will not be published.CommentName* Email* Website Δ
Ari February 13, 2014 Like an architectural memento mori.They sort of confound scale expectations too, the sand somehow looks like huge dunes, perhaps the buildings are even bigger and people are no larger than the keyholes.Beautiful, thank you. Reply
Christopher Rimmer | Cada d July 22, 2014 […] Christopher Rimmer’s Haunting Images of Abandoned Towns Buried by Sand.en yellowtrace(EN [24f]). […] Reply
Christopher Rimmer | Cada día un fotógrafo August 17, 2014 […] Christopher Rimmer’s Haunting Images of Abandoned Towns Buried by Sand.en yellowtrace(EN [24f]). […] Reply
