Idris Khan

2004

Idris Khan super-imposes photographs of industrial buildings taken originally by Bern and Hilla Becher. He applies translucent layers of the same photograph to make, what seems like, the blurred abstraction of a building. Instead, what he attempts to do, is emphasise the similarity of architectural form by presenting a continuous composition of shape. However, despite the rigidity of this project, Khan presents a certain 'poetic malleability', as does Muybridge with his photographic motion studies of the 1880's.

Gordon Matta-Clark Bronx Floors: Threshole 1972 2 black and white photographs

‘Architecture is always dream and function, expression of a utopia

and instrument of a convenience’ - Roland Barthes

Gordon Matta-Clarke explores the language of architecture

and its relationship with our 'modern vision'.

In or Out?

'Splitting' 1974

Gordon Matta-Clarke

We live in an age of mechanical reproduction, temporary art, disposable installation.

Even architecture is subject to photographic representation and its initial impression can certainly be manipulated in this way. But what is the meaning of the building after it has endured a 2D compression?

Gordon Matta-Clarke (1943-1978) struggled with his understanding modern architecture, despite training as an architect for several years.

"architects are not solving anything except how to make a living"

He performed a sort of 'surgery' on houses. Slicing and dicing to disorientate the original form of the building into an installation he would then photograph.

So the building only becomes art after it has spent a little time in the hands of an artist.