Have you ever wondered what it would be like if all cities were erased? It’s an eerie thought. But perhaps that is what came to mind when French artist Zacharie Gaudrillot-Roy started his photography series: ‘Façades’. In Gaudrillot-Roy’s 3rd edition of this photo series the artists questions the notion of what makes a space safe. He achieves this through digitally erasing the mass and depth of a building leaving only the hollow exterior. Leaving only a ghost town behind, Gaudrillot-Roy invites us to view spaces differently to see beyond face value.
By Sara Barnes
“The façade is literally the first thing one sees of a building, as its surface. It can be imposing, superficial, but can also suggest safety” says Gaudrillot-Roy. ” This series thus offers a vision of an unknown world that would only be a picture, without intimate space, where looks are the only refuge”.
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Light & Darkness of The Ghost Town:
The surreal nature of the series gives each image an almost haunting feel like walking through an abandoned movie set. Gaudrillot-Roy takes his photos in the eerie twilight. Yet, what’s particularly scary is the use of light. His photos feature street lamps lighting the facades with darkness surrounding. This only adds to the sinister and strange nature of this fantasy ghost town.
Belonging and Otherness:
Another key point that Gaudrillot-Roy raises is the sense of belonging. By erasing the volume of the buildings he forces us to see the surrounding areas and how people fit within them. He allows us to reflect on the role of architecture and the feelings it can evoke. In the dystopian ghost town that is Gaudrillot-Roy’s ‘Façades’, the lines between fact and fiction seem to blur since each facade seems to be in a separate reality without its depth and mass.
Still, the town in ‘Facades’ is a town that holds no secrets, there is nothing behind these closed doors. The images typically depict intricate mansions, boutique stores or the doors to small homes. Each telling its own story and each offering a new way to view the city by enticing our curiosity. To view more of Gaudrillot-Roy’s ‘Facades’ check out his Instagram.
