- Hard cover – 240 pages
- Publisher: Editions Tempus Fugit
- Author: Jonk
- Language: Bilingual French and English
- Size: 30.2cm x 21.6cm
- ISBN: 978-2959072000
Released Octobber 28th 2024.
A word from the author:
Naturalia documents my photographic work on abandoned places taken over by Nature.
Naturalia was published in 2018.
Naturalia II was published in 2021.
Naturalia III was bound to be published in 2024.
I started this research in and around Paris in 2013, and today I am continuing my quest all over the world. Naturalia looks at photographs from my debut and up until 2017. Naturalia II, focuses on those I took between 2017 and 2018. This third opus, will look at images taken between 2018 and 2019 in Japan, Portugal, Moldavia, Belarus, Georgia and during my many expeditions across France, Belgium, Germany, Italy…. I have travelled a lot less since 2020 for several reasons: Covid, a desire to reduce my carbon footprint by flying less, the gallery opening. I can assure you that I will not be going back to that previous rhythm. 39 countries visited between 2017 and 2019, I have to listen to reason. Although, I am slowly settling in one place, nothing can repress the irresistible desire to explore these timeless places, of testifying to the almighty power of Nature. I am fascinated by these abandoned places, bewitched by their atmospheres, enchanted by their decors.
This book marks a new phase. It’s not just about showing abandoned places taken over by Nature. The aim is to encourage people to think about our place on Earth. Make Man realise that he is nothing faced with Nature, which is all-encompassing. Once again, this third opus testifies to the force of Nature and the urgency of showing some humility, at last.
Since Naturalia II, I have made a lot of progress on this theme by opening the Galerie Nature Forte in Paris. It spotlights the work of artists who depict the force of Nature. In parallel, I have launched the concept of Nature Forte. I want to create a completely unique genre of visual art in the same way as landscape, portrait, or still life. Any kind of artistic creation whose aim is to reveal the force of Nature, in relation to Man or not, is part of this concept. These creations can be the fruit of any type of artistic media: painting, sculpture, photography, drawing, illustration… Of course, my photos fit into this concept. Since then, I have presented a dozen artists but there’s a long road ahead before Nature Forte fulfils my dream of becoming a universal, artistic concept!
Press review:
“Contemplative and poetic. Like an archaeologist, Jonk unearths abandoned places where nature has reclaimed its rights, captivated by the poetry and beauty of these strange scenes. With these images, Jonk questions us about the meaning of our human behavior, but he also makes us dream of an enchanted world where mysteries are drawn.” TV5 Monde (translated from French)
“Jonk’s latest work, Naturalia III, documents the fascinating and strange phenomenon of how nature reclaims abandoned places and transforms them into its own habitat. In impressive images, Jonk captures the power of nature in a world that exists without human influence. Naturalia III is not only a tribute to abandoned architecture, but also a wake-up call. Jonk’s photographs show us what could happen if our civilizational plans become unsustainable in the face of climate change and resource scarcity. In The Revenge of Gaia, scientist James Lovelock, best known for the Gaia theory, describes how humanity is disrupting the ecological balance and could thus cause a natural disaster, which can be understood as a kind of “revenge” of the Earth and make our planet uninhabitable. Jonk’s work shows what this scenario could look like: nature will one day recover on its own – without us, if necessary. Jonk’s third volume is a memorial that calls for humility and reminds us to see nature not only as a provider of resources, but also as a partner that we must respect and protect. A book that makes us think.” Lilli Green (translated from German)
“Jonk’s new photo book explores nature unfurling in abandoned architecture. Jonk seeks unique ruins that nature gradually subsumes. In Naturalia III, his tenth book, he documents a range of striking locations from Portugal to Georgia to Japan.” Colossal
“This third opus in the Naturalia series is a powerful visual testament to how Nature, often neglected or forgotten, is reclaiming its rights. Jonk, a passionate photographer and explorer, offers a series of photographs revealing the surprising beauty of these abandoned spaces. In this book, Jonk takes us through old castles, factories, historic homes, simple dwellings and ruined theaters. His photographs capture trees breaking through cracked floors, walls covered in ivy, and roots invading spaces once filled with human activity. The reader is invited to go beyond the appearance of abandonment to appreciate the transformation of these places into true natural ecosystems. This captivating book encourages us to let our imagination run wild by trying to guess what these places looked like before they were abandoned. These sites are magical, the colors are magnificent, and each photo seems more beautiful than the last. Finally, Naturalia III is not limited to a collection of beautiful photographs; it also conveys a strong ecological message. Jonk shows that, despite human impact, Nature persists, adapts and transforms the remains of humanity into new and unexpected landscapes.” Notre Siècle (translated from French)
“Six years after the release of the first volume and three years after the publication of Naturalia II, Jonk, whom we profiled in May 2023 in our “Game Changer” series, presents the sequel to his successful Naturalia series.“ Pflanzenfreund (translated from German)
“This third opus plunges us, once again, into the discovery of abandoned places taken over by Nature. It reveals Jonk’s photographic work in a dozen countries. Over the course of the 240 pages, we contemplate fascinating photographs of factories, castles, hotels, churches, theaters… We travel from country to country: Japan, Portugal, Moldova, Belarus, Georgia, Czech Republic, France, Belgium, Italy, Germany… We look at vestiges, ghosts of the past like this piano in a French castle… an open window revealing the exuberant vegetation (p 67) a hotel in Germany eaten away by humidity and rubble… (p 78); a palace in Portugal immersed in vegetation (p 101)… And our favorite, the statue of a deer in a Japanese hotel (p 135). Everywhere, nature reclaims its rights, it is captivating and disturbing. The opportunity to explore timeless places, to question the place that Man occupies on Earth. It’s up to you to discover this beautiful work to contemplate places of great photogeny!” Luxury Touch (translated from French)
“The 3rd volume of Naturalia by urbex photographer Jonk is available!” Artistik Rezo (translated from French)
“Jonk is a world reference in photography of abandoned places.” Paris Côté Jardin (translated from French)
“French photographer Jonk has spent the past 11 years capturing the beauty of abandoned spaces where nature reclaims its territory. His work offers a poetic reflection on time, decay, and the power of nature. Known as a world reference in the field of urban exploration photography, Jonk’s latest book, Naturalia III, continues to spotlight forgotten places left behind by humanity, only to be transformed into living works of art by nature. Jonk’s photography doesn’t just document decay but elevates it, showing how nature turns these ruins into breathtaking, photogenic scenes.“ DeMilked
“With Naturalia III, Tempus Fugit Editions offers us the latest work by Jonathan Jimenez, known worldwide under the pseudonym Jonk, a master of photography of abandoned places. In this long-awaited sequel, Jonk continues his visual exploration, diving once again into the heart of these spaces deserted by man and slowly invaded by nature. In this new work, Jonk takes us on a poetic journey into the vestiges of time. Trees sprouting from collapsed floors, roots extending their embrace through cracked walls, ivy covering once smooth surfaces: each photograph is a visual tribute to the power of nature. Jonk sensitively captures the raw beauty of these changing spaces, where we can guess the past and imagine what these places were like in all their splendor. Beyond aesthetics, Naturalia III carries an ecological message. Jonk reminds us, in images, that nature cannot be dominated indefinitely. Despite our impact, it persists, adapts, and transforms the relics of our civilization into new, unexpected landscapes. This contrast between the artificiality of abandonment and natural renewal suggests the fragility of our own existence in the face of the environment. Each photo invites the reader to give free rein to their imagination, to dream of the time when these places were alive. Vibrant colors, surprising textures, and delicate plays of light make this work visually captivating.” Terre futur (translated from French)
“This book, his tenth, still astonishes as ever.” OpenEye (translated from French)
“Prepare to be captivated by Naturalia III, the latest masterpiece from acclaimed photographer Jonk. Known for his striking imagery that highlights the relentless power of nature, Jonk’s third installment in the Naturalia series continues to captivate audiences.” Formulance
Buy the book here.