This space looks like the set for a music video. I happen to be a sucker for music videos shot in decrepit old buildings. Unfortunately I did not have a rock band with me at the time. (This panorama is mobile photography, shot on my iPhone 4s with Photosynth)
During my time in Bratislava, I found the city particularly clean, and the statuary interesting and impressive.
While I very much enjoyed photographing Bratislava’s gorgeous statues what I liked shooting the most was an abandoned squat I found during one of my morning walks.
Bratislava Squat exteriors, street views
Since the building had a few open entrances and a parking lot that was being used, I felt safe about checking it out. Here are some pictures of the interior of the squat I took that morning.
Squat panorama of some of the graffiti backgrounds
The textures were interesting. I found the graffiti wall art painted lady particularly cool
Aliens in the Architecture on the exterior
Graffiti walls and a mattress with graffiti on it
Graffiti & street Art on the walls. Mobile photography
Squat furnishings included this chair in front of graffiti walls
This also seemed like a Hollywood set for a rave. I can’t say I’ve been to a rave, but it reminded me of one of my favorite movies with a rave in it, Go.
Stairs in Bratislava Squat. Not exactly the safest place I’ve ever been…
There was so much paint you could say it was an entire graffiti building
Squat details – the trash and tires and grit were unavoidable.
Squat Courtyard. Mobile photography
Squat bedroom and kitchen
When I stumbled upon a mattress (used as a bed) and a recently opened jar of salsa, I realized, I was perhaps not alone in the squat, and quickly got out.
Back in my room at the swanky Sheraton Bratislava I tried to figure out the story of the squat but was unable to come up with anything specific. The best info I could find was this article which says that cultural concerts take place in the squat (didn’t mention anything about rock videos being shot here). I’m not sure if that still happens considering the amount of trash, broken glass and debris that I saw.
If you’d like to see the squat for yourself when you are in Bratislava, it’s easy to find. It’s just past the new building of the Slovak National Theatre, near the Sheraton. If you go to the right of the ticket boxes and walk towards the street, you can view it easily. The main entrance is in the courtyard beyond the parking lot. If you learn anything interesting about this building, or if they still have cultural concerts there please let me know in the comments section.