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Stephen Lewis, Studies for a Photo Series on the Jugendstil and Art Deco Architecture of Plovidv, Bulgaria

Plovdiv, Bulgaria -- Ottoman Filibe and Byzantine Philipopolis  -- is famed for traditional Ottoman styles (e.g. Turkic "Hayat Evi"-style mansions and monumental structures such as the 15th c. multi-domed Bursa-style Ulu Camii seen from above at the center of the photo at the right).  Plovdiv is also characterized by a wealth of early-20th century residential structures built in local interpretations of Jugendstil, Art Deco, and other styles of the period.  Sadly, these buildings are not protected by local preservation laws.  The digital photos that follow are research "snapshots' for a series I plan to shoot in medium format this autumn together with Plovdiv-based artist Penka Popova.
COMMENTS
Roumiana said at 4:48 p.m. on Feb 16, 2007:
Dear Steve,

What a surprise to see your beautiful photos! I was just googling to find some work of 'Penka Popova' on the web. One of the houses I saw was build by my father's uncle, the architect Stephen Todorof who have studied in Italy in the '20 of the XXth century. It is tragic that nobody cares for the preservation of architecture and history in Bulgaria (or to be more precise, nobody cares for the history of Eastern Romelia, indeed). Look what is happening with the Villa Greca-type of houses in the Old town, which are in the hands of the new rich cultural barbarians. It is very sad to see the distruction of my age old European/Ottoman capital city.
I wish you a lot of succes and pleasure with your artistic and literary work!
Take care,
Roumiana
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