‘Site Unseen’ explores viewing and documenting architecture through photography
The Center of Contemporary Photography in Melbourne invites us to ‘Site Unseen', an exhibition about different ways of viewing and documenting architecture
‘Site Unseen' is an exhibition that questions the way we view architecture. What if, instead of photographing architecture as an object, we look at it as a subject, asks Tom Ross, a photographer himself, who curated the new exhibition that's currently open at the Center of Contemporary Photography (CCP) in Melbourne. Part of the city's Open House Melbourne programme (30-31 July 2022), the show brings together the work of a mix of global architectural photographers who together explore different ways of viewing, experiencing and documenting architecture through the photographic lens.
The pieces on display are extremely varied, created by artists including Rory Gardiner, John Gollings, Coco and Maximilian, Erieta Attali, Annika Kafcaloudis, Mengzhu Jiang, Veeral Patel, Gavin Green, Morgan Hickinbotham, Brooke Holm, Ben Hosking, Pier Carthew, Shannon McGrath, Tom Ross, Ying Ang, and Rohan Hutchinson. ‘In a time when architecture representation is being narrowed to imagery of persuasion, this exhibition serves as a reminder of the sincere exchange between people and the built environment,' says Ross.
‘Site Unseen’ at CCP Melbourne
Bringing together diversity in treatments, topics, a range of emotions, as well as work methods, the exhibition fascinates in its richness and unexpected views of our built environment, exploring familiar buildings (such as the Australian Islamic Center of Newport by Glenn Murcutt & Elevli Plus) in a new light. At the same time, seemingly anonymous corners of our urban realm come to life and are celebrated, put centre stage through the gaze of photographers.
‘Experienced largely on a subconscious level, architecture can contribute to moments of harmony and moments of friction in our every day. This exhibition calls for a moment of pause, to examine the built environment and our interaction with it through the lens’ of this incredibly talented cohort of photographers,' says the newly appointed director of CCP, Daniel Boetker-Smith.
‘Site Unseen' will be on until the end of July, across all four galleries at Melbourne's CCP. All works are available to purchase.
INFORMATION
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
Ellie Stathaki is the Architecture & Environment Director at Wallpaper*. She trained as an architect at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece and studied architectural history at the Bartlett in London. Now an established journalist, she has been a member of the Wallpaper* team since 2006, visiting buildings across the globe and interviewing leading architects such as Tadao Ando and Rem Koolhaas. Ellie has also taken part in judging panels, moderated events, curated shows and contributed in books, such as The Contemporary House (Thames & Hudson, 2018), Glenn Sestig Architecture Diary (2020) and House London (2022).
-
Formafantasma’s biodiversity-boosting installation in a Perrier Jouët vineyard is cross-pollination at its best
Formafantasma and Perrier Jouët unveil the first project in their ‘Cohabitare’ initiative, ‘not only a work of art but also a contribution to the ecosystem’
By Henrietta Thompson Published
-
Gingerbread City: architects sculpt London out of the season's favourite treat
Until December 29 in Chelsea, see London brought to life in a seasonal-appropriate medium by leading architects and designers
By Ellen Himelfarb Published
-
New Revox B77 MK III reel-to-reel tape recorder, and more cassette tape-based trickery
The new Revox B77 MK III might be the ultimate analogue flex. In response, we’ve explored the outer reaches of cassette tape design
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
Edinburgh Art Festival 2023: from bog dancing to binge drinking
What to see at Edinburgh Art Festival 2023, championing women and queer artists, whether exploring Scottish bogland on film or casting hedonism in ceramic
By Amah-Rose Abrams Published
-
Last chance to see: Devon Turnbull’s ‘HiFi Listening Room Dream No. 1’ at Lisson Gallery, London
Devon Turnbull/OJAS’ handmade sound system matches minimalist aesthetics with a profound audiophonic experience – he tells us more
By Jorinde Croese Published
-
Hospital Rooms and Hauser & Wirth unite for a sensorial London exhibition and auction
Hospital Rooms and Hauser & Wirth are working together to raise money for arts and mental health charities
By Hannah Silver Published
-
‘These Americans’: Will Vogt documents the USA’s rich at play
Will Vogt’s photo book ‘These Americans’ is a deep dive into a world of privilege and excess, spanning 1969 to 1996
By Sophie Gladstone Published
-
Brian Eno extends his ambient realms with these environment-altering sculptures
Brian Eno exhibits his new light box sculptures in London, alongside a unique speaker and iconic works by the late American light artist Dan Flavin
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
Asim Waqif creates dense bamboo display at the Hayward in London
The Bagri Foundation Commission, Asim Waqif’s वेणु [Venu], opens at the Hayward Gallery in London
By Cleo Roberts-Komireddi Published
-
Forrest Myers is off the wall at Catskill Art Space this summer
Forrest ‘Frosty’ Myers makes his mark at Catskill Art Space, NY, celebrating 50 years of his monumental Manhattan installation, The Wall
By Pei-Ru Keh Published
-
Jim McDowell, aka ‘the Black Potter’, on the fire behind his face jugs
A former coal miner, Jim McDowell defied the odds to set up his workshop and keep a historic form of American pottery alive
By Aruna D’Souza Published