The ‘Abandoned?’ project and film

I spent over a year traveling 39,000 km with Geppe Monrós, in a camper van, through 24 European countries. We were investigating and documenting abandoned places and the ways that they have been conserved, modified, recycled, occupied or forgotten. During this epic journey, we made over 40 hours of video, 30 interviews, 40,000 photos and a baby!

‘Abandoned?’ is a documentary film about the need to re-use abandoned places, a series of photographic exhibitions exploring their hidden beauty and stories of the abandoned and a number of workshops and debates that encourage discussion on the subject of Abandoned?

Abandoned? the film

Abandoned? is a feature-length, documentary film by myself and Geppe Monrós (the Director). It has two original language versions; Spanish and English.

It was screened at a cinema in Barcelona once a week for 3 months, shown five times on national Spanish TV (La 2: TVE). The film was also selected at 10 international film festivals and it one a gold medal at one. Well over one million people have now seen it.

My responsibilities included: still photography, 2nd camera operator, animations and graphics including design of the website, production assistant and communications, documentation, research and investigation, image editor…as well as the joint driver, motivator, navigator, chef etc

Abandoned? film English trailer

Below you can see the film posters I designed that were displayed at each screening of the Abandoned? film.

A touring event called Abandoned? Exposed is being planned and will include:

• An exhibition of photographic work on the theme of ‘Abandoned?’ by Julia Clay and Geppe Monrós including large format photo-montages by Julia. There will also be work shown by invited artists, photographers, sculptors, and sound designers on the theme of ‘Abandoned?’
• A screening of the documentary film, ‘Abandoned?’ directed by Geppe Monrós followed by an open discussion event where experts will be invited to discuss and answer questions from the public about their experiences, solutions and views on reusing abandoned places as well as conserving them.
• Workshops on the theme of ‘Abandoned?’ that combine history, recycling and art that are suitable for both children and university students. The resulting work will be exhibited physically and virtually at the end of the workshop.