Atlantic Wall: Stephan Vanfleteren and the remains of the day

All along the coasts of Europe, the bunkers and defences of the Atlantic Wall were rapidly constructed. Seventy years later, many of those buildings are still there. It is these remnants that Flemish photographer Stephan Vanfleteren searched for.

The famous Vanfleteren’s distinctive style in black and white work very well with this subject, resulting in hushed images of the remnants of the Atlantic Wall, standing quietly in contrast to the devastating power of their original purpose. Some bunkers are partly swallowed by the sea, others stand tall as if they were still waiting for the enemy.  The concrete giants still impress today.

The photos are not printed but are projected on the wall of a replica of a bunker specially constructed for the exhibition on the Flemish coast. A soundscape plays that combines the murmur of the sea and echoes of the past.

It is rather strange that the choice was made  to show Atlantic Wall in a model of a bunker when there are plenty of real bunkers in the Raversyde recreational park. During the Second World War, Raversyde was the key location in the Belgian section of the Atlantic Wall.

The complex of bunkers, artillery and reinforcements  has been well preserved. Visitors can stroll through the entire complex. Scenes set with original artefacts from the war years provide a good picture of daily life in the bunker complex. It’s in any case, a fitting location for this exhibition.

Until 5 October at Provincial domain Raversyde, Ostend