This weeks topic was Institutional spaces, looking at photographers who have worked with this subject matter and considering, Why they are interesting? and How power can be portrayed through the Architecture?
Before considering the questions, though, it is important to acknowledge really what is meant by ‘institutional spaces.’ The dictionary definition for the noun institutional spaces is, ‘an organization, establishment, foundation, society, or the like,devoted to the promotion of a particular cause or program, especially one of a public, educational, or charitable character.’ So is it as simple to assume that institutional spaces are simply the obvious, such as , schools, hospitals and prisons? I feel that with the vast organisation and state controlled society’s of modernity, it is hard to avoid an institutional space. To me, it is a building or interior with a motive to control, establish and organize as purpose. This being almost every building other than an individuals home or space of living, something with a distinct personality.
So when considering why photographers documentations of these places and Why they are interesting? The answer is found in those who are able to capture an atmosphere and mood in a minimalist interior which is at first appearance is seriously lacking in this. In many examples we can see that Emptiness is key to capturing this, mainly through the absence of human beings. This absence often results in the creating of presence, stronger than if they were shown. We are aware of the usage of these common institutional spaces so they are easy to imagine or assume when this element is taken out of them, stripping them down to what they are without there implementations; soulless, empty rooms with obvious purposes. Richard Ross’s Architecture of Authority is one photo series we looked at in the lecture who does this effectively. His empty rooms are ‘..a body of unsettling pictures of architectural spaces that exert power over the individuals within them.’ (Ross, R (2007). with the right lighting and composition they create much reverence.
Richard Ross.
In terms of How power can be portrayed? in institutional spaces photographs i feel the answer is very much determined by the architecture. Most of these common contemporary examples include square harsh, linear interiors which reduce the amount of life the spaces have. I believe that this acts a symbolism to the sometimes harsh, but square, organised feeling of imperialist power which can easily tied to them. Scott Fortino is one photographer who allowed me to realize this, with his compositions being persuaded by the mathematically planned shapes that modern institutional buildings have he manages to impose a reverence of power into the viewer who happens to be viewing something particularly minimal.
Scott Fortino.
Photo Media 