In the summer of 2010 we made plan to hike in ‘greatest and wildest natural mountain park of Western Europe’.
By train arriving in Milano end of August 2010, the two of us checked in at Hotel Berna and had one day to explore the city.
Milano Cathedralwaiting for connection (Arona)
The third day a train took us to Premosello, and we hitch-hiked to Colloro. From there we walked to camp at alm of Chapella Madonna di Lut.
There the sole of one shoe turned out to be completely broken. We had to return and then take train to Domodossola to buy new shoes. Next attempt started in Mergozzo and we walked via Bracchio, towards Vercio with Sanctuaria Di Madonna de Grazio (camp). A lady very early in the morning sang for hours.
L’Oratorio della Beata Vergine delle Grazie
From there a long walk in beautiful mountain area and forest followed. On the way we passed many abandoned houses, alone on itself or in small group.
Forest and mountains in Parco Nazionale de Val GrandeAlong the way, house of farmer
Our path continued via Cortecca to Alpa Ompio, from there north to Alpe Basseno then down to bridge “Ponte di Velina” crossing ravine with river, and further north to Velina and Baserga. A sign indicated that in 1944 partisans escaped from nazis with 50 prisoners at an enduring trek through these mountains.
Baserga, hide-out for partisans in WW-II (if memory is right…)
Route went further N. East to Baserga (signs indicating risky passage), Alpe Vota, Montazzo, a overgrown abandoned hamlock. The path became stairs and had steep crossings of rivulets.
note the sign…
Along the way we did encounter several abandoned houses in the woods.
someone created stone creatures…
At sundown and over 14 hours on the way we arrived at Corte de Merino, where we could set up the tent and have simple dinner.
In the morning the trail went to Cicogna, then followed sentiero Struttenheim (1891) towards Pogallo, where we had camp along the Rio Pogallo.
Rock cairn or stone man
Return was to Cigogna with several steep mountain clefts.
A mountain cleft of hundreds of feet…A river deep down
Then we went all the paved way to Rovegro (no hitch hike available), a village that looked like poverty ruled. There old roman way did lead us to Cossogno, after passing the “Ponte Romano di Cossogno e Cascate”.
Ancient houses
In this village citizens allowed us to camp on small terrace of the Campo de Sport for our last night in the mountains…
Camp in Cossogno
From Cossogno we hiked to Verbania where we took ferry across the Lago Maggiore to Baveno and boarded train to Milano.
On the ferry towards Baveno
Photos by Drager Meurtant 2010, analog film, taken with Chinon compact camera and Fuji film
How to deal with stupidity is an issue / that arises frequently these days. // Can one battle stupidity, or is it best ignored.
Can one convince stupidity to lay off / to stop breathing or kill it self / any other way.
That´s the issue.
blood is iron
“Blood is iron, in essence. // Because of it’s stream and smell. // But I rather see the spill / from rusting tubes than from blood / which today leaks from pure stupidity.”
From upstairs
The title responds to our / sense of reason. // Now imagine someone trying to push up / these blocks of concrete / even if aerated.
The greater the distance / or the darker the surrounding / the bigger the sense of futility / of longing for the unreachable. (from the writings of the poet Malcolm Eduard Lionel Alfred Nicotene Cholious)
images and texts Drager Meurtant (2013, 2016, 2025)
Once buildings start to crumble / and walls start to tumble / then true beauty is revealed. // One must seek for a second / and split structures into basic elements. // This brings us to insight” (Oppenheimer contemplating about The Big One).
Wanneer gebouwen verpulveren / en muren instorten / dan komt de ware schoonheid tevoorschijn. // Je moet een seconde nemen / om daarna de structuur in basale elementen te splitsen. // Dat brengt ons inzicht. (Overweging van Oppenheimer over The Big One).
An empty prison comes in place / where glue runs past a stone’s cast. // No, people, / that is not for understanding / that is for nót understanding / where we stand without ground / under our feet.
Een leeg gevang komt te staan / waar lijm voorbij een steenworp holt. // Neen mensen: dat is niet om te begrijpen / dat is om níet te begrijpen / waar we staan zonder grond / onder onze voeten is.
Photos taken by Drager Meurtant in old Leather Factory Oisterwijk, NL, February 4, 2014
A visit to old leather factory in Oisterwijk (NL) May 8, 2014, combined with a view of paintings by WOLS in Museo Sofia Reina in the same year, Madrid (E) made me create assemblage.
old leather factory in Oisterwijk
With group of 12 photographers, we were allowed to search for good places to photograph.
One Way Out
One way out
“So, there is only one way out. // But there are no stairs. // There is no rope, no trampoline. // You have no wings even. // Knowing that the heat will become intolerable / how do you get out?!”
Concrete benches for machinesCrypt in the “church” named Leather Factory Oisterwijk, NL
Not to be seated
“Here one stands in awe / and one’s mind lingers / about those, who once were sitting on the benches. // But after what happened / the holiness of this sacred site / does not allow anyone to be seated here / anymore.”
Three Trestles under the Hatch
“Three trestles under the hatch: Even, / if the memory / of an empty room / with stone trestles, that once
all photos, texts & art (c) Drager Meurtant, 2014 – 2024
When stones dance and move along the rythm of the surges of flowing times // and take a leave from the geometry imposed by builders seeking comfort and utility // and trees push out residing memories or on some occasion take place side by side // then eyes may wander in slow pace, step by step.
Wanneer stenen dansen en bewegen op het ritme van de golven van de tijdstroom en verlof nemen van de geometrie, opgelegd door bouwers die comfort en nuttig gebruik zochten // en bomen er de gezetelde herinneringen wegduwen; bij gelegenheid naast elkaar plaats nemen // dan kunnen ogen hier zwerven in langzaam bewegen, stap voor stap.
(Drager Meurtant, analog photo in The Provence, early 1980s, text 2017)
drager-meurtant 