hg-esch--the-structure-of-pompeii-is-like-19th-century-manhattan

HG Esch: The structure of Pompeii is like 19th century Manhattan

HGEsch Der architektonische Blick - Pompeji © HGEsch / Ministero della Cultura. Parco Archeologico di Pompei

HG Esch: The structure of Pompeii is like 19th century Manhattan or many cities that are currently being planned around the world!

The interview was conducted in German. Free translation by the editors.

Pompeii sank in 79 AD after an eruption of Mount Vesuvius and was buried in volcanic ash and rubble. Since then, myths have surrounded the city and its people, and it has been portrayed by painters and photographers for centuries. Architectural photographer Hans Georg Esch has nevertheless succeeded in giving the viewer a completely new perspective on the over 2500-year-old Roman settlement. And his look is strikingly green - ‘cosi verde’ was a reaction from the staff of the archaeological park.

Esch is known for his iconic images of the global architecture of our world's mega-cities and has used his skilful eye to photograph the urban structure of the city with new digital photography techniques and the use of drones. This reveals the beauty of the city in a completely new light. For HG Esch, the structure of Pompeii is like Manhattan in the 19th century. The structure even corresponds to that of many cities around the world that are currently being planned, the photographer explains in an exclusive interview.

HG Esch's pictures show the connections and parallels between urban planning from antiquity and our urban structures today. The once lively and animated, then buried and now in ruins urban structure is seen more tangibly than ever before. The photo series not only reveals the beauty of the ancient city, but also invites viewers to engage with its history and its significance for modern urban development. The photographer also liked the fact that his pictures were entered into a competition with all the photos taken by all photographers over the last 150 years. He would also like to take part in this competition in the future. This photographic approach is combined with new approaches, as also prominently represented by Gabriel Zuchtriegel, Director of the Archaeological Park of Pompeii since 2021.

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20 August 2024

Continue reading in German

Interview Directory

ART

Name: HG Esch

Occupation: Architectural photographer and author

HGEsch Der architektonische Blick - Pompeji © HGEsch / Ministero della Cultura. Parco Archeologico di Pompei

Mr Esch, what does the architecture of Pompeii stand for?

Pompeii's architecture and, above all, its urban structure is absolutely contemporary for me. The structure is like 19th century Manhattan or many cities that are currently being planned around the world!

Why did you choose Pompeii for your latest project?

It was a coincidence - or maybe not. The archaeologist Wolfgang Filser asked me if I could do a panorama of the Naples-Pompeii metropolitan region. I flew there and haven't been able to get away since!

“In Pompeii, the historical tragedy turns into today's treasure chest or cabinet of curiosities. To photograph there is to discover and exaggerate - but certainly also to suppress!“

What is it like to photograph places where such great tragedies took place?

The tragedy from the year 79 of our era is visually abstract and only mentally present. And it is intercepted by the fact that in Pompeii we are standing in a unique place of testimony. Without the tragedy, without the terrible destruction of Pompeii by the ashfall of the Vesuvius volcano, which cost countless lives like a catastrophe, we would have far fewer testimonies of Roman culture around the Christian year zero! In Pompeii, the historical tragedy turns into today's treasure chest or cabinet of curiosities. To photograph there is to discover and exaggerate - but certainly also to suppress!

HGEsch Der architektonische Blick - Pompeji © HGEsch / Ministero della Cultura. Parco Archeologico di Pompei

HGEsch Der architektonische Blick - Pompeji © HGEsch / Ministero della Cultura. Parco Archeologico di Pompei

"‘Cosi verde’ was a reaction from the staff of the archaeological park."

It seems to me that the green nature in your photos has brought a kind of healing back to this tragic place - is that perhaps the case?

The green in my photos was also initially alien to today's Pompeiians. ‘cosi verde’ was a reaction from the staff of the archaeological park. But the green is simply due to my preference for the clear spring air, which gives my perspectives depth.

Are there architectural styles that you find fascinating and which ones do you dislike?

Of course, I am primarily a fan of contemporary architecture that seeks to integrate itself culturally into nature, but also of architecture that stretches upwards instead of sealing the ground. In other words, from Cologne Cathedral, which can be seen from afar, to buildings in dunes that only reveal themselves at close quarters.

How did you find your place in the world of architectural photography? How did it all start?

It all started with the fact that architects noticed my emotionally clear way of seeing and photographing - emotional, because it's not distanced, and clear, because I always see architecture as a subject that wants to see a genuine portrait of itself.

"But when I photograph Pompeii, my pictures compete with all the photos taken by all photographers over the last 150 years."

Are there any buildings or places that you dream of photographing?

Sure, after my Pompeii experience Machu Picchu, Isfahan, the Acropolis ... the Vatican, photographed with my architectural eye ... The photos from Pompeii showed me and my whole team that there is a different way of seeing in my photos. When I photograph architecture that was only completed yesterday, my photos set the standards for seeing it. That's a good thing! But when I photograph Pompeii, my photos compete with all the photos taken by all the photographers over the last 150 years. I would like to continue entering this competition - but of course I would also like to continue setting iconic standards for the images of architecture of our time.

What advice would you give to aspiring architectural photographers?

... see, see, see - travel, travel, travel - study books, study books, study books and always be happy that the next project is waiting after what you have achieved!