Workshop: Photography as a Project

Jacob Hunziker highlights an extremely important fact: in villages (in this case, the Canton of Ticino), there is a very precise architectural differentiation; that is, within the same settlement, we have a close interconnection between linguistic groups and architecture as a form of culture. Hunziker says that, regardless of climate, where the Germanic language and culture exist, buildings are built in wood; where the Latin language and culture exist, buildings are built in stone. Therefore, the materials available are the same, but the choice is a historical, cultural, social, and anthropological one. (Aldo Rossi, Progetti, in Progetti Veneziani, Clup 1985 p. 178).

The workshop involves the production of an instant individual photographic project in the form of a book (16-32 A4 pages) and a temporary collective display of a selection of photographs. The work begins with the selection of a serie of Ticino architectures sites that were featured in the exhibition Tendenzen - Neuere Architektur in Tessin curated by Martin Steinman in 1975 in Zurich. The project takes place in the proximity to these architectural structures to analyze their context and focuses primarily on the vernacular architecture of Ticino.

In presence

The workshop will take place in the field, walking as much as possible. Walking is a privileged method for understanding and observing the landscape. Each building will be photographed following a path of approach and exploration. This systematic method  of observation at different distances triggers the individual process for producing and selecting the photographs for the project. This process explores the contemporary Ticino landscape and the potential of photography as a project and a document. File selection and preparation will be done daily in the classroom in the late afternoon. Work in progress will be printed on a Xerox printer. During the course, several photography projects and books by contemporary photographers will be presented and discussed. Photoshop and InDesign are required for project development; a tripod is recommended for photographing.

Discussion of an individual project in book form (A4, A3 folded, 16/32 pages). Design and creation of a temporary display of the projects. Organization and printing of a collective book.