When Coal Left Town

• Photographer
  Michael Schulz
• Prizes
  Gold in Architecture/Industrial

The region in Germany known affectionately as "Ruhrpott", which includes cities such as Duisburg, Essen, Oberhausen, Dortmund, and Bochum, was a key part in Germany's industrialization as it was home to coal mining and steel production. In this body of work, I examine the past and current state of the region, now that coal mining is no longer an active industry and only steel production remains. This work surveys what has been left behind and how the landscape represents this history through still existing facilities.

Born 1974 in Germany Lives and works in Seattle, WA and Düsseldorf, Germany In my work I concern myself with studies of the environment and the people within. Especially the built environment poses immense promises but also threats to communities all around the world. My studies often also show my interest in patterns and forms distilled down to the minimal essence of what is. Exhibitions and editorial work in the US, Europe, and Japan