Architecture Unlocked – CCP Presents Site Unseen

As part of Open House Melbourne, Centre for Contemporary Photography (CCP) will host its first dedicated exhibition for architectural photography from 15 to 31 July. Site Unseen sees photographers unlock the potential of architecture captured by lens, viewed as a subject rather than a tangible object.

Curated by participating photographer Tom Ross, the exhibition sees 16 photographers – including Rory Gardiner, Ying Ang, Shannon McGrath, Ben Hosking, John Gollings, Rohan Hutchinson and Brooke Holm – examine the contemporary built environment and our interactions with it. Site Unseen communicates the emotional experience of place and investigates the diversity that exists within architectural photography. “In a time when architecture representation is being narrowed to imagery of persuasion,” Tom explains, “this exhibition serves as a reminder of the sincere exchange between people and the built environment.”

Taking over four galleries at CCP, the exhibition explores the notion that to view architectural photography as objective documentation is to ignore the photographer’s point of view altogether.

In keeping with CCP’s recent presentations Photo Fair and Six Fashion Photographers, Site Unseen is designed as a relatively short-running exhibition that acts as a deep dive into the world of architectural photography. Taking over four galleries at CCP, the exhibition explores the notion that to view architectural photography as objective documentation is to ignore the photographer’s point of view altogether.

CCP Director Daniel Boetker-Smith says the exhibition will provide a forum for photographers to bring traditionally private responses to the built environment into a public domain. “Experienced largely on a subconscious level, architecture can contribute to moments of harmony and moments of friction in our every day,” Daniel says. “This exhibition calls for a moment of pause, to examine the built environment and our interaction with it through the lens’ of this incredibly talented cohort of photographers.”

As part of Open House Melbourne, Centre for Contemporary Photography (CCP) will host its first dedicated exhibition for architectural photography from 15 to 31 July.

All editioned works at the exhibition will be available for purchase as editioned prints through CCP’s website. Similarly, two of Melbourne’s leading photography and architecture bookstores – Perimeter Books and Bookshop by Uro – are set to come together in a curated pop-up throughout the duration of the display.

Site Unseen will be CCP’s first exhibition of its kind, providing skilled photographers a platform to explore the diversity that exists within built environment photography. Part of the official Open House Melbourne program, the ground-breaking exhibition will be available to view from 15 to 31 July and promises be a celebration of architectural photography.