The France-based photographer, referring to himself only as Hapi, turns his attention to pure symmetry and flawless ratios in this ongoing project of architectural shots.
A true “building-hunter,” Hapi is a firm believer that perspective and intention are fundamental to the function of art. As he says, “Photography is not what you are looking at, but why and how you look at it.”
Inspired by an appreciation for the Brutalist vision, the artist aims for more than just capturing beautiful buildings; he attempts to make a statement where the structures act as an accurate illustration of what he calls “a failing yet brutal government’s vainglory (ironically still proudly standing) in East Berlin.”
The results of this visceral, unexpected comparison of architecture and politics are (just as ironically) oddly satisfying, turning the project into an ASMR-like experiment that lightens the mood and enables viewers to look at it with detachment.
“The ambivalence towards Brutalist architecture is what I strive for,” Hapi says. “These pieces of architectural fabric put together form an urban taedium vitae to be either mocked or loved by the youth, finding both beauty and sarcasm in every piece.”
Read our “Camouflage” issue in full
RAWGUE.’s 4th issue delved into the grey, moody, and cold atmosphere of winter. Yet it did not sink into the depths of madness or depression. Instead, it embraced this season of hibernation, allowing 31 artists from all over the world to present their timid work beneath a veil of quiet beauty.
We’re a team of writers using our craft to spotlight art in its most honest form. RAWGUE. started as a bi-monthly editorial experiment where each issue’s theme is dictated by the submitted work, thus removing editorial bias from the equation and preserving a more raw approach. We focus on all forms of poetry: written, photographed, painted, drawn, and filmed.
