去看現代建築展，除了建築模型、建築師的設計塗鴉外，總會附上大量的建築物照片。照片通常都拍攝得很誠實而冷靜，建築物裡裡外外，不帶半點感情地展現在觀者的眼前。多看了不免會想，究竟現代的建築攝影有否別的表現方式呢？一般的建築攝影讓我們看清建築物的結構、空間、用料的特色，然而看過了，我們對於身處其中時的氣氛、陽光透進時的溫度、空氣流動的方式，仍然是一無所知，也無法想像。
現時於東京品川区的建築倉庫美術館舉辦建築攝影展「朝向『建築』的視線——現代攝影與建築的位相」似乎能為我的疑問提供很好的答案。是次展覽結集了解13位攝影師以建築物為被攝體的作品，包括杉本博司、畠山直哉、Honma Takashi、Thomas Demand等。每位攝影師的風格各異，他們面向建築時的視線亦大異其趣。大部份作品都非作客觀性的紀實用途，照片記下了建築物的外觀或內觀等實在的外在世界，同時亦將攝影師與之相處時的時間、經驗錄下，反映了攝影師抽像的內在世界。
同展還將展出照片中其中六幢建築物，讓觀者能夠較具體地掌握建築物的空間結構。展期至10月8日。
Modern architecture exhibitions usually showcase architectural models, sketches and photos which are shot in a very humble manner so as to give an objective display of the inside and outside of the building. After visiting a few of such exhibitions, I began to ponder, is there any alternative way of making architectural photography? Although the typical architectural photography has the advantage of giving accurate presentations of the structure, space, material and other quality, what it cannot deliver is the vibe of the space, the warmth of the sunlight or the movement of air. By looking at the photography, these are the elements that the viewers are not given rooms to imagine.
I seem to have found an answer to my question in A gaze into architecture – Phases of Contemporary Photography and Architecture, the current exhibition at The ARCHI-DEPOT Museum in Tokyo Shinagawa area. The exhibition is showing architectural photography of 13 photographers from around the world including Hiroshi Sugimoto, Naoya Hatakeyama, Honma Takashi, and Thomas Demand. The diverse styles of the photographers allow them to view architecture in distinctive angles that are interesting to explore. Most of the works are more subjective than objective; instead of using photography as mere documentation that records the actuality of the facade and interior of the architecture, their photography also abstractly reflects the inner world of the photographers when interacting with the architecture.
Alongside photography, visitors can have an even better grasp of the interior structure of the buildings through 6 architectural models. The exhibition will be shown until 8 October.
