Vestiges

Memories of the disappeared

Vestiges are homages to unique places and their forgotten stories. Through a pensive blend of original photography, meticulous research, and historical artifacts, Helmut Giersiefen breathes life into the past.

The artist is captivated by the aesthetic traces that endure, rather than the novel decay of abandonment. This work reanimates a rich, multifaceted narrative that resonates in the present.

An aerial color photo of the Hotel Belvédère, showing its location on a serpentine of the Furka road.

Hotel Belvédère

Echoes of Elegance

Hotel Belvédère’s Resilient Legacy on the Furka Pass.

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A color photograph taken from the roof of the Santa Carolina Hotel

Santa Carolina

Glimpses of Paradise

The captivating tale of Santa Carolina, a small island in the Bazaruto Archipelago of Mozambique.

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A color photograph of rusted cable wheels from the platter lift

Fürigen

The Lost Lido of Lake Lucerne

The echos of invention that once moved hotel guests.

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A color photograph of Furggen mountain station

Furggen

The Fate of a Legendary Cable Car

An orchestrated ski descent casts a fading shadow.

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A color photograph of the remains of the Eastern boat landing

Wangerooge

Nature Conquers Back

Waves of the forgotten ships' landing of Wangerooge resonate.

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Canfranc railwaystation

Canfranc

Gateway Between Two Worlds

A train station in the Pyrenees becomes a place of hope in turbulent times.

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Barrandov Terraces

Echo of a cinematic age

Avantgarde and architecture - the forgotten stage of Prague

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Petite Ceinture

A circle without a destination

The forgotten railroad line in the heart of Paris

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Cala d'en Serra

An unfinished dream

Josep Lluis Sert's lost vision in the heartbeat of Ibiza

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