October 14, 2004 – May 2, 2005
Chicago Architecture Foundation
Hedrich-Blessing: Christopher Barrett, architectural photographer.
Photographed in the Hedrich-Blessing studio, Chicago
Hedrich-Blessing
When Brad Lynch called the architectural photography firm Hedrich-Blessing to find someone to document his work, the firm's late president Mike Houlihan recommended Christopher Barrett. Barrett shares with Lynch an appreciation for semi-abstract, geometrically composed images of building details that express the essence of modern design as well as the philosophical dimensions of the architecture. Lynch and Barrett worked on several projects together before photographing the Racine Art Museum. Barrett spent over nine months making pictures of the museum, during construction and upon its completion. Magazines such as Art in America, Interior Design, and Metropolis have published articles about the museum using Barrett's photographs.
Brad and I share an appreciation of Modernism and Eastern art, design, and philosophy. Brininstool + Lynch's architecture lends itself well to my vision. And, for some reason, my vision lends itself well to describing Brad's projects. It is a two-sided relationship.
I think that all of his spaces are created with an innate, quiet power to them. It is certainly very eastern and the best of my photographs exhibit that, as well. Something that speaks of strength, without beating you over the head, is somehow more noble than something overpowering, dramatic and exciting. That is the case with Brad's architecture. —Christopher Barrett