In October 2023, anthropologist Bogdan Iancu guided a group through Văcărești Park and the adjacent Berceni neighborhood, helping us understand the layers of development that have shaped the area. During the exploration, we were joined by a resident who witnessed this space's transformation—once known as "Pe Vale"—from a concrete lake to a protected natural park, and eventually into a coveted real estate zone and a symbol of late-post-socialist urbanism.
I was commissioned to create a photo essay that captures the complex relationship between the human desire for green spaces and the environmental impact of urbanization. The series of images unfold as a visual dialogue, highlighting the interplay between forgotten historical layers and the vibrant rebirth of the landscape. My work also explores how people interact with Văcărești Park, how these interactions shape the area's development, and how the transforming space, in turn, alters the way people engage with it.
https://afters.ro/detur-cu-antropologul-bogdan-iancu/
