VESTIGES PORTFOLIO : 1999

VESTIGES ....FORTRESS OF ANTIQUITY

In photographing the 11th century castle ruins of France and Germany I was struck by the similarity of design and purpose to those ruins left by the Anasazi Indians of the Southwest portion of North America.

Constructed during the same century both civilizations built into and upon the rock formations, high above the surrounding landscapes. Both stacked blocks of stone or fragments of stone with mortar joints and mud/adobe layers upon them. Both people used ladders and walls to protect themselves from intruders.  The difference being that the European castles were used to defend against all out land take-overs and the North American castles were used to defend against food thievery. The Anasazi Indians disappeared perhaps due to drought or they may have migrated North and disbanded. There actual fate still a mystery. The Europeans abandoned their fortresses when the dense stone walls became penetrable by gunpowder which was introduced from the East. 

The Vestige left on both sides of the Atlantic tell us the story. The castles of Europe are dark and cold, while the Indian ruins are light and airy. It is my belief that the Anasazi where much more spiritual and connected to the seasons and the earth whereas the Castle Lords of Europe where more Pagan and barbaric. It is my goal to present this visual vocabulary of both cultures through these photographs.

Douglas Isaac Busch
Malibu, CA   USA