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Forgotten Housing Estates Of Paris Documented By Laurent Kronental
Every generation dreams of what will be, building structures of what it imagines the future will be like. For the last four years, French photographer Laurent Kronental has been documenting the lives of the senior citizens who now live in Paris’ big housing projects that were built between the 1950’s and 1980’s.
“Souvenir d’un Futur documents the life of senior citizens living in the “Grands Ensembles” (large housing projects) around Paris,” reads the artist statement. “He felt a need to examine their living conditions and shed light over a sometimes-neglected generation. Exposing these unsung and underestimated suburban areas is a means to reveal the poetry of aging environments slowly vanishing, and with them, the memory of modernist utopia.”
More info: laurentkronental.com (h/t: dyt, ignant)
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What do you think ?
SusannaVesna 9 years ago
These are amazing! For some reason I thought of Inception, cause these structures look unreal! Never knew Paris had such architecture! All we usually see is the Eiffel Tower and a couple of shots from Fashion Shows. This is a discover for me! And yes, would be good to know the names of these!
SiobhanSands 9 years ago
http://www.wired.com/2015/11/laurent-kronental-souvenir-dun-futur-french-public-housing-nanterre/
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Bepina 9 years ago
I would like to know more about the architects, to see blueprints, project details.. it's a bit sad to look at these photos, not just because of the old folk looking lonely but because it also speaks of a broken dream of a better world that we hoped to create after the atrocities of war. Post WWII architecture did thrive to produce buildings and estates with a hope of better future and better living conditions for people.. no such optimism anymore, it saddens me that we've lost it on general level
GuillaumeDucatillion 9 years ago
So because most of you are not french this place look nice... in fact except the architectural beauty of theses building... they are the worst projects of the small belt of Paris... unfortunately... :( and defently not the charmy place it look like on those pictures...
GeorgÜberall 9 years ago
there is nothing charmy about these pictures.. I think they're very sad
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RomainKizer 9 years ago
I live in the city where are taken the pictures 2,3,8 ans 16. The building in circle shape are called " Camemberts " The others buildings are " Palacio d'abraxas " The town is called Noisy-le-Grand
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DeniseMarchand 9 years ago
Most countries have abandoned structures and even cities. For instance: Varosha Cyprus, a Turkish abandoned city from invasion by Turkey. Why can't these structures/cities be used for the many refugees from Syria? All well bodied people could work on the projects for housing and relocation. This would be truly a habitat for humanity.
WayneBeesley 9 years ago
Surprising lack of litter and graffiti ? Paris of the last 20 years has become very run down and ruined some areas are horrendous these projects look ok
kytetiger 9 years ago
I knew i recognize those, 2 & 8 were also in the last Hunger Gamehttp://www.tourisme9...ill-en-1978.jpg
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DeniseMarchand 9 years ago
I am actually thinking about Detroit, MI here in the US. This city needs people and judicial structure to survive. With proper planning, Detroit could be a model habitat for humanity for our part in the refugee crisis. It would be a delight to see thriving happy families planting roots, sharing cultures, and adding to the livelihood of a once great city.
BruceMitchell 9 years ago
Detroit was a beautiful city when I was growing up and it is sad to see its decline. Were I younger and in better health, I'd love to return as an urban pioneer to rehabilitate some of the space now available for new uses. Just can't take the harsh winters any more. :( Yet I have read about many optimistic young people doing exactly that! So it may take awhile, but Detroit can be renewed and improved.
Load More Replies... SusannaVesna 9 years ago
These are amazing! For some reason I thought of Inception, cause these structures look unreal! Never knew Paris had such architecture! All we usually see is the Eiffel Tower and a couple of shots from Fashion Shows. This is a discover for me! And yes, would be good to know the names of these!
SiobhanSands 9 years ago
http://www.wired.com/2015/11/laurent-kronental-souvenir-dun-futur-french-public-housing-nanterre/
Load More Replies... Bepina 9 years ago
I would like to know more about the architects, to see blueprints, project details.. it's a bit sad to look at these photos, not just because of the old folk looking lonely but because it also speaks of a broken dream of a better world that we hoped to create after the atrocities of war. Post WWII architecture did thrive to produce buildings and estates with a hope of better future and better living conditions for people.. no such optimism anymore, it saddens me that we've lost it on general level
GuillaumeDucatillion 9 years ago
So because most of you are not french this place look nice... in fact except the architectural beauty of theses building... they are the worst projects of the small belt of Paris... unfortunately... :( and defently not the charmy place it look like on those pictures...
GeorgÜberall 9 years ago
there is nothing charmy about these pictures.. I think they're very sad
Load More Replies... RomainKizer 9 years ago
I live in the city where are taken the pictures 2,3,8 ans 16. The building in circle shape are called " Camemberts " The others buildings are " Palacio d'abraxas " The town is called Noisy-le-Grand
Load More Replies... DeniseMarchand 9 years ago
Most countries have abandoned structures and even cities. For instance: Varosha Cyprus, a Turkish abandoned city from invasion by Turkey. Why can't these structures/cities be used for the many refugees from Syria? All well bodied people could work on the projects for housing and relocation. This would be truly a habitat for humanity.
WayneBeesley 9 years ago
Surprising lack of litter and graffiti ? Paris of the last 20 years has become very run down and ruined some areas are horrendous these projects look ok
kytetiger 9 years ago
I knew i recognize those, 2 & 8 were also in the last Hunger Gamehttp://www.tourisme9...ill-en-1978.jpg
Load More Replies... DeniseMarchand 9 years ago
I am actually thinking about Detroit, MI here in the US. This city needs people and judicial structure to survive. With proper planning, Detroit could be a model habitat for humanity for our part in the refugee crisis. It would be a delight to see thriving happy families planting roots, sharing cultures, and adding to the livelihood of a once great city.
BruceMitchell 9 years ago
Detroit was a beautiful city when I was growing up and it is sad to see its decline. Were I younger and in better health, I'd love to return as an urban pioneer to rehabilitate some of the space now available for new uses. Just can't take the harsh winters any more. :( Yet I have read about many optimistic young people doing exactly that! So it may take awhile, but Detroit can be renewed and improved.
Load More Replies...
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