Architecture nominee

The historic Derelict Hotel Medea in Tskaltubo, Georgia.

Countless columns throwing shadows and create a great atmosphere.
The former Massive Building was built in 1954 and abandoned after the collapse of the Soviet Union. The healing mineral water was discovered by local shepherds as early as the 13th century. Around 1920 the area of Tskaltubo became state property and was given the function of a health resort. before the second world war, many sanatorium were built here.
The building used to be called the Tsekavshiri sanatorium. In 1992, during a war in the nearby region of Abkhazia, an estimated 200,000 ethnic Georgian refugees found temporary shelter in the empty sanatoriums of Tskaltubos. More than 25 years later, hundreds of Famalis still live here.

Exploring the beauty of the past, all else is left to imagination

For several years now, the Photographer and Musician MGness has specialized in capturing the fascination of abandoned (sub-)urban spaces with their aging charm and glamour of forgotten times. In pursuit of the perfect moment and light, he has travelled thousands of kilometers and crossed numerous borders to seek out these untouched treasures.

The subjects in their aesthetic and romantic glory are intricately hidden, and it takes his craving for adventure as well as patience, diligence and perfectionism to carefully portray their authentic and historic ambiance. MGness has fine-tuned his perspective to depict these mythical places of the world in a moving and dramatic light.

He makes us aware of their beauty and transience. He discovers secret locations, which have been mysteriously abandoned and left to succumb to nature; their former hum perceptible, but now overcome by eerie tranquility.
He enables a glimpse at their potential story in his imagery

Awards
2022 Prix de la Photographie de Paris - Silver Fine Art/Architecture

06.2017 Brotlose Kunst - Münster
09.2019 Garden of Illumination - Münster
01.2020 Wiedererwachen - Münster
03.2020 Abandoned Places - Oelde