The Artist: Andy Schwetz
Andy Schwetz is a fine art and documentary photographer based in Munich, Germany. His work delves into the melancholy of the past, history, and old architecture, often focusing on places with tragic histories. Schwetz’s photography carries a touch of social criticism, such as the city of Chernobyl and the effects of its rewilding.
The Collection: CONTAMINATED Vol.2
CONTAMINATED is a photodocumentary of Schwetz’s three ventures into Ukraine over five years to the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. CONTAMINATED serves as a piece of contemporary history, capturing the essence of a place that was significantly impacted in 1986, and through the decay of time, had begun to recover in the most natural ways on Earth. Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to visit now without considerable risk due to the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, making Schwetz’s photo documentary work all the more important.
"Night has long fallen on the ghost town of Pripyat. In the distance you can hear the wild dogs barking and from the nearby bank of the river of the same name you can hear the croaking of frogs. I am standing in front of the former excursion restaurant "Cafe Pripyat" with its beautiful stained glass windows and detailed Sovjet mural. Back then you got the best ice cream in town here. During my exposure I realize that I am standing completely alone in a city which was inhabited by almost 50,000 people until April 25, 1986. I am not afraid, I enjoy with humility."
European Decay
Imagine living in a country with so many cultural assets that many must be left to decay to allocate the modern resources of a nation more effectively. That juxtaposition is permanently memorialized on-chain by Schwertz’s work throughout Europe. There is something angelic about the sunlight entering the ledlight panelled doors and illuminating the illustrious lifestyles of the generations before us. The faded pastel colors nevertheless a stark reminder that almost nothing is forever, unless it is stored immutably on the blockchain.
"Italy the land of secret beauties... I remember when I was standing in front of this abandoned country estate. At first glance it seemed to be nothing special. Here of there are some, from the time of the landowners. And actually, at first there was nothing extraordinary, until I stood in the entrance area and my jaw dropped. An entrance area like a cathedral. Hand-painted with Christian and ancient motifs. You might think it's crazy that something like this is left to decay, but Italy has the problem that they have so many cultural assets that it is not even possible to preserve them all. Here I come into play to at least preserve the memory of a once glorious time.
