waddenland

Martin in the kitchen of an old school, where his friend lives. His friend has bought the school 25 years ago, but then there was no money to maintain the large building.Martin takes care of his friend, since she suffers from long cancer. They live in difficult circumstances. No central heating, leaking roof, no shower and they live and sleep in 1 room. The rest of the school is full with trash. Windows are broken and covered with wood.

In this project I investigate demographic decline, a phenomenon with major economic and social consequences. The province of Groningen alone estimates the costs of this phenomenon at about one miljard euro. Costst to demolish vacant housing, to keep education, public transport and shopping facilities within reach (as fas as possible) for the population. On the other hand, nature comes in place of development, people adjust to the slow pace and choose silence, space and sobriety above the hectic and demanding city life. The dossier Waddenland is a first photographic exploration in a series of dossiers (files) on different areas of demographic decline. Please enjoy my meethings with an empty piece of the Netherlands.