Michael Wolf - Flowers Gallery

Michael Wolf, Architecture of Density #77, 2006

Michael Wolf is, I think, one of the most interesting of contemporary photographers: his first solo show in the UK is at Flowers until 7 January, 2012. He first came to my attention when given an honourable mention in this year's World Press Photo Awards for an intriguing set of work drawing from the Google Street View project: A Series of Unfortunate Events: Google Street View (see below). However, this exhibition presents 3 groups of work: Architecture of Density, Tokyo Compression and Transparent City. Flowers describes the work as follows:

Architecture of Density is a study of Hong Kong’s high rise residential developments. The structures are photographed on large format in extreme detail without the context of sky or ground; Tokyo’s subway is infamous for its cramped conditions but the psychological effects of the uncompromising close human proximity experienced daily by thousands of workers are rarely depicted. Tokyo Compression captures the moment and reaction when individuals are forcefully sandwiched between their fellow commuters and the parameters of the carriage; Transparent City depicts the architecture of both domestic and office buildings in the city of Chicago - a place renowned for its iconic towers. The structures are composed and compressed into groups and surfaces rather than shown individually.

Michael Wolf, Tokyo Compression #1062009

Michael Wolf, Tokyo Compression #05, 2009

Michael Wolf, Tokyo Compression #92, 2009

Michael Wolf, Architecture of Density #111, 2006

Michael Wolf, Architecture of Density #1, 2006

Michael Wolf, Architecture of Density #25, 2006

Michael Wolf, Transparent City #12, 2008