Robert Elwall lecture
On Weds I nipped down to Clerkenwell after work to catch a lecture by the ever knowledgeable Robert Elwall. I’ve previously posted about him as he runs RIBA Pix, of which I am lucky enough to be able to contribute to. I’ve been working my way through his book “Building with light” and a lot of the lecture was familiar from that.
The main topic of the lecture was to do with the way in the Architectural Review represented and almost pushed modernism with dynamic images and innovative graphics for a period of around 30 years. The lecture also discussed the changes in technology in terms of printing as well as photographic processes. The photographers Dell & Wainwright featured heavily in the lecture, they worked for the Architectural Review as staff photographers for 16 years! Ultimately it ended with a number of photographers almost turning against the movement and representing the projects in a less than favourable light. The move to 35mm and faster films allowed a more documentary style which was used against it. Hard to summarise but a great experience to see such in depth knowledge of the Architecture and representation of it at the time. Also good to do a bit of networking after.
And so as not to finish on a negative note Robert finished on his favourite image from the era.
