Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/516462
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 24 MAY 2015 This Week 29 beautiful rot cover an other world. And this is very exciting because it's illegal. I do that because I want to show to the public that you can find beauty in ugliness, and in deserted spaces, and I like the fact that it helps raise awareness about our cultural, sociological and artistic relation to the built environment, which often ends up being aban- doned by our society. Further- more, I think that I have to take pictures of these places because they are often destined for demo- lition or renovation while they are full of human stories and history. So why not capture it a last time by immortalizing the architecture – and also the poetry and strange- ness – that are associated with it? How do you hope your photography will raise awareness about either the use or misuse of these spaces, particularly in a densely populated and increasingly urbanised place like Malta? I hope that my photography helps people understand that old aban- doned buildings are still beauti- ful, and that they don't need to be demolished further. For example, the sight of nature taking the up- per hand on the human creation, the street art works, multiple lay- ers of textures, the light entering through a broken window, a dusty floor with antique furniture are the elements that contribute to the beauty and the singularity of these places. If people can understand that and are sensitive to it, they can enjoy their daily environment, as opposed to being uneasy about it. I would like for these places to be allowed to deteriorate at their own pace; for people to stop tinkering with them so as to allow nature to take over. These places have to die as a part of nature, so that other places can replace them and con- tinue to perpetuate the cycle. But due to various concerns – either to do with a drive towards urbani- zation or simply due to security – this cycle isn't always allowed to continue. What's next for you? I return to France in August, I would like to do an exhibition over there and a book about my photographic work in Malta. I am also hoping to be selected for a call for applications in Luxembourg, the winner of which will have an exhibition set up in their name in a prestigious gallery, while also se- curing a scholarship. Urbex will remain on display at The Splendid, Strait Street, Valletta until May 30. Opening hours are 10:00 to 18:30 (Thurs- day to Sunday). The exhibition is organised by The Jean De La Valette Foundation for Art and Culture Simon Vienne