Long Live the Fallen World

WE MAY NEVER KNOW HOW MUCH WE HAVE LOST ;
WE WILL NEVER KNOW HOW MUCH WE COULD HAVE LEARNT.

Long Live the Fallen World is the only bridge that made sense to me between my desire to create art and my fascination with the intensity of history. Explore History through travel and my eyes as a photographer: It's a lifetime project focusing on old worlds, their heritage and lost civilisations to enhance and create awareness about our world's ancient civilisations and the importance of heritage. Long Live the Fallen World started when I went on my adventure through over 9000km in four months across the Mekong area to capture remnants of the Southeast Asian past: the golden age of the Siamese, the Pagan Kingdom and the Khmer Empire. My work aims to inspire people to learn their own History, to learn about other cultures and to try and understand why things are the way they are now, in order to learn our mistakes and maybe, make the world a better place. We have to ask ourselves: what can we learn from History? What can my History teach me as a citizen of this world? Understand where we have been and where we're from to truly appreciate who we are.

Remains of the Wat Phra That Doi Suthep wooden door in Chiang Mai featuring Buddha in the Ayutthaya art style. Ayutthaya's art style is known to have been influenced by many, such as U Thong (first king of the Kingdom), Sukhothai, the Khmers and, as
Smallest Buddha of Wat Saphan Hin ('Stone Bridge') in the Sukhothai archaeological park. According to inscriptions on the pillar, King Ram Kamhaeng (ruling from 1279 to 1298 - he's one of the most influential king of the Siamese Kingdom) would ride h
The golden Buddha of the Byardeikpaye Pagoda is stood in an unusual posture at the top of the Mandalay hill, pointing at the Royal Palace (now claimed by the military). Is it supposed to testify Buddha's prophecy saying a glorious city would rise whe
According to the legend, Chao Kaeo Ma Muang had this temple constructed around 759 A.D. However, the architecture indicates that it should have been constructed around the 14th century A.D.
Monk walking in one of Angkor Wat temple's alley. Angkor Wat was built by Sūryavarman II (1113 - 1145) for Vishnu (hinduism) and was supposed to represent mount Meru (sacred mountain and house of the gods). It is now used for both hinduism and buddhi
The Kaw Ka Thaung cave, whose entrance is at the foot of a limestone cliff, is located near Hpa-An in Burma (Myanmar). It is one of the oldest caves in the country and houses over a thousand images of Buddha that are still sacred for the locals. Ther
Sanskrit in a Hindu temple around the Angkor Thom complex.
Inside one of the alley of the Bayou, a Buddhist temple in Angkor Thom.
Neak Pean is an artificial island on the Preah Khan archaeological site near Angkor (Cambodia). On the island, there is a circular Buddhist temple built during the rule of King Jayavarman VII during the XIIth century. Historians think Neak Pean could
Monks watching the Tad Fan waterfalls in the Bolaven Plateau, best known for being home to some of the most spectacular waterfalls in the world and its tea and coffee plantations.
Ruins of what’s left of the 5000 temples built in Bagan during the Pagan kingdom (around 849–1297 a.d.). It's only one of the many temples that can be explored across Bagan.
Ruins of the Yadana Hsemee Pagoda are located on the island of Ava, the ancient capital of Burma. The city was then destroyed by the Mons during the XVIIIth century. It is believed that the Mons arrived in South Burma from the East, originating from
Khmer (Cambodian) woman with her Kroma in the Wat Nokor, a pre-angkorian temple built around the 10th century. A Kroma is a khmer scarf from the ancient times, made of silk or cotton is used everyday and in many ways.
Woman of the Padaung (also known as the "long-neck") tribe from a Karen village. They have been dislocated from Burma and after spending more than 25 years in Thailand, they're still not allowed to have a legal nationality.
The Karen – a name that has been imposed on the Padaung ethnic group - are known for their long necklaces made of brass that can weigh up to 25kg. This tradition has encouraged the nickname "giraffe-women". Sources disagree on the origins of the neck
The Kaw, or Akha, have a spiritual relationship with their ancestors and their daily life is centred around the passing down and continuation of traditions and knowledge, relying on them for life, food, health and security. They are originally from C
Woman of the Mien tribe. The Mien are exceptionally open-minded. They are dignified and perfectionist. They are also great diplomats and try to avoid conflict as much as they can.
This 116km square lake is one of the most visited areas in this part of the world; tourism provides additional income for the local fishermen. Fruits and vegetables are also grown in large gardens floating on the surface of the lake.
Located in the Golden Triangle – the area that overlaps the mountains of Thailand, Myanmar (Burma) and Laos, known for its wars and battles – this magnificent standing Buddha is facing the three countries in a powerful position that means “stop fight
Riverboat to Ava, an island located on the Irrawaddy River and home to the ancient capital, succeeding the Pagan Kingdom in 1364. After the fall of Pagan (Bagan), the cities of Ava, Amarapura and then Mandalay each became capitals of the country and
Burmese woman smoking a cigar in the Mahamuni Pagoda, the most sacred sanctuary in Mandalay (Burma). Legend says Buddha would have "left his image" there, saying a great city would rise where Mandalay now stands. Though Buddhism is quite open-minded
Burmese woman selling her paintings in a temple in Bagan.
The Khmer Kingdom became an Empire under the rule of Sūryavarman II (1113-1145). The King is known for the construction of Angkor Wat, the most famous Hindu temple in Cambodia, initially built for the God Vishnu. Nowadays it is also an essential loca

  • History. History as the abhorrent experience of humanity, but paradoxically, as the attractive mystery and the drive to understanding it, its origins, ramifications. It’s an argument for History. It’s an argument against war, inhumanity and amnesia.

  • Everyone. Those small things that are interesting and make you who you are are so closely related to History, to your past and personal development. Each of you are people with compelling stories, caught up in the intensity of the world. History has been used as a way to educate rulers since ancient times. Today, global History should speak not simply to those in power, but to everyone. It helps us to understand the variety of cultures and traditions that have always made up human civilisation. It helps us to discuss and respect difference. And crucially, in an era too often fragmented by political and religious divides, it reminds us how much we owe to each other.

  • It is a storytelling about living for a few months in each country in equal part past and present. Travel and adventure are key components to making Long Live the Fallen World happen. Field and academic discoveries too, guided by locals.

  • Colonisation, iconoclasm, ignorance and racism, culture appropriation, the looting of museums, libraries, archives and archaeological sites is a too well-known story. To rise above our past we must acknowledge it. Some knowledge of History might help in approaching today's decisions and behaviours. It is impossible to respectfully navigate the world unless you understand History.

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