The Farnsworth + Miller exhibition at Fini Gallery sees photographer Derek Swalwell turns his camera lens on two mid-century architectural icons in North America. The celebrated Melbourne photographer describes the modernist era as a period that ‘never stops fascinating photographers’ due to the clean lines and elegant proportions that typify homes of this era – and this exhibition brings together two of the best!
The first port-of-call for this project was the Farnsworth House, a long-term-love of Derek’s. He explains ‘It just fascinates me, this super modern minimalist art installation sitting in the middle of these heavily treed woods, it’s just high art at its finest.’ While the internet is flooded with images of this sleek Mies van der Rohe weekender, that hovers in the landscape, Derek wanted to ‘shoot the house in the most pure, architectural language I could.’
Derek was granted two full days of access to the Farnsworth House, which allowed him to capture the changing light throughout the day, including the surrounding perimeter of trees, and the fall of dusk at the end of the day.
As a companion to the revered 68 year old Farnsworth house, Derek also captured Eero Saarinen’s Miller House in Columbus, Indiana. Here, the photographer captures a moment in time, that reflects the museum-like quality of this historic icon. Due to tours through the site, this shoot was a speedier affair, but still allowed Derek the opportunity to bring his exacting eye to another mid century icon!
Farnsworth + Miller
October 25th – November 7th
Fini Gallery
51-57 Cubitt Street
Cremorne 3123
Victoria
