Homes on Hold

At first glance, this illustrated book appears to present a mishmash of the widespread, in some cases unauthorized, unfinished buildings that make a decidedly striking mark on the barren landscape of southern Italy – without which something would almost be missing. On closer inspection, these symbols of stagnation are thought-provoking, a fact that is addressed in this book: from an anthropological-cultural and socio-economic level, via architecture and esthetics, to the existential foundations of life plans and their fragility.

In most cases, the stories behind the building projects have been lost forever. Driven by the idea that houses and people belong together, the author always portrays someone, usually from the neighbourhood, in front of or next to it. Curiosity, anger or simple disregard, pity for the owners or incomprehension about the failure of the building authorities – Gabriel Mauron spoke with each of them about their personal view of the monuments of the abandoned with which they, in a sense, live together.