Archetypes

The exhibition shows a selection of photography's from the ARCHETYPES series by the Canadian artist David K. Ross, who works at the interface of photography, film and installation. His images stage the original-sized building fragments, so-called mock-ups, at night on the construction site with dramatic lighting. Isolated from their surroundings, the structures appear out of scale and become archetypal architectures. The photographs change the way we view the practice of architecture by documenting and framing the normally invisible aspects of its creation. Built to full scale, these architectural fragments - removed from sites as buildings approach completion - ensure that a project can be executed exactly as designed, and provide clients with a simulation of a building that leaves little room for speculation. The task of mock-up documentation is usually left to architects and contractors, who take quick snapshots for reference during site visits.

Archetypes is the first photographic compilation of its kind that goes beyond a purely artistic record of building technologies and typologies. Instead, the photographs encourage us to reflect on the significance of the pre-construction of building fragments in all their complexity.  The recently published book accompanying the exhibition ARCHETYPES illuminates the historical, technological and cultural dimensions of the mock-up in four essays. Archetypes offers an intellectual and aesthetic reference for a wide audience, from professionals in architecture to anyone interested in or fascinated by the mysterious aspects of photography and art.

The photographs show mock-ups of the architectural practices: Behnisch Architekten, Caruso St John Architects, Christ & Gantenbein, Foster + Partners, Gigon/Guyer, Gramazio Kohler Research, Hertzog & de Meuron, Mathers and Haldenby, Matteo Thun & Partners, Morger Partner Architekten, Morphosis, NADAAA, Perkins Eastman/S9 Architecture, Snøhetta, SO-IL, SOM, Steven Holl Architects, Valerio Olgiati, et al.

David K. Ross is an architect, photographer and filmmaker. Archteypes reflects his long-standing interest in documenting often overlooked aspects of the built world. David Ross' work has been presented in museums and film festivals including The Swiss Institute New York, Rice Media Centre, CineMarfa, Graham Foundation, Toronto International Film Festival and the Musée d'art contemporain de Montréal. David Ross' works are in private and public collections. These include the Canadian Centre for Architecture, Art Gallery of Ontario, Musée d'art contemporain de Montréal and the National Gallery of Canada. David K. Ross lives and works in Montréal.