London-Barcelona City Photography Workshop

LONDON (5 days) rnrn30 June to 4 July rnThe introductory seminar will review the contribution made by artists in the field of contemporary photography, with reference to the disciplines of conceptual approaches to art, architectural photography, and interactive social art projects. The course is then taught through a series of discussion-based seminars and practical photographic classes. Throughout the project work a multidisciplinary approach to photography will be encouraged. By the end of the two weeks you will have produced a professional artistic portfolio based on Power Point presentation / PDF, prints, B/W or colour photocopies.rnTwo practical issues are central to this course. The first is practice-based, where you will also gain a better understanding of theoretical approaches to contemporary photography and to challenge concepts and practices of representing space.rnrnBARCELONA (5 days) rnrn7 July to 11 JulyrnBarcelona where you will discover inspiring architecture and develop your work; buildings of potential focus are the National Theatre, Tate Modern or Barbican Centre in London and in Barcelona the Museum of Contemporary Art, Mies van der Rohe Pavilion, the Olympic Ring, and Joan Miró Foundation among others. You will depict the building's interior space and exterior form in daylight conditions (and possibly at night with the building's own artificial lighting).rnAt the same time participants' own work will take into consideration their physical reaction as an inseparable aspect of the experience of architecture. We will add new objects or materials into the space, which will redefine the space and bring a different meaning to it. This will be done using classic techniques for ephemeral art installations or happenings, as well as photographic techniques. In this context, the aim is to create an equivalency between our body the object, the space and the values of urban life as interdependent elements.

Course leader

Diego Ferrari studied fine art at Goldsmiths College. He has collaborated from 1998 / present, on a series of international art photographic programmes in China, South Africa, Berlin, Budapest and in London with Tony Fretton Architects, Whitechapel Art Ga

Target group

his course is aimed at those students interested in photography, architecture and art. This course explores the practical and creative interplay between photographic practice and theory in the field of visual representations of an urban space. It aims to encourage an innovative approach to architectural and urban photography by adopting a critical approach to the way we perceive, relate and respond to the physical realm of architecture and social values.

Course aim

The workshop offers guidance on observing and analysing architectural elements in order to apply a creative approach for documenting buildings. Specifically the aims of this course are to develop perceptual skills and the ability to use digital or 35m manual cameras, so that participants can produce images that have increased aesthetic and conceptual value. The workshop will take into consideration the ways in which buildings are now used as locations in art photography and analyse how certain narratives are played out in architectural space.rnThe city is not only about buildings, yet the built environment dominates our experience of urban life. Architectural space is hugely dynamic; at once a container in which we live, as much as a physical material that is substantial, tangible and solid, and lived-in space always transcends geometry and measurability.