Emily Hannak - Library Book

John Pawson is a modern architect, author, and photographer who specializes in minimalist work. He was born in 1949 in Halifax, England to a wealthy family. He is the youngest of five children, worked in his family’s textile business briefly, and spent a period of his life in Japan where he discovered a love for design and architecture. Pawson later returned to England to attend the Architectural Association School of Architecture in London before establishing his own practice in 1981. His main focus remained the design of private houses for many years before he expanded into much larger projects, such as the Design Museum in London, Calvin Klein stores, and a Cistercian monastery in the Czech Republic. It was this obsessive work as an architect that led into his newest obsession, photography. He insists that the two are very related as many of his works feature architecture, either his own or unique places that he has found on his travels. As a photographer, he notes in the preface of his book Spectrum that he was often criticized for his choice of nearly strictly monochromatic works “in a landscape that is full of colour and very wild” (Pawson 2). However, he assures it is near impossible to discuss his work as an architect and a photographer without talking about color. The collective piece that is Spectrum is almost entirely a jab at those who question his ability to see or appreciate color as that is all the work is; the book flows through ever color on the color “spectrum” through gradual changes in the images page after page.

            My favorite photo from Spectrum is on page number 89 featuring a golden sunset over Sorrento, Campania, Italy. The photo really accentuates the way Pawson plays with color, light, and framing. Landscape subjects are often overdone, but the perfect use of lowlight emphasizes the cloud formations, silhouetted mountains, ocean, and sun without over-exposing anything. To me the image conveys a beautiful sense of calm and serene. I believe Pawson intended to express an admiration for the strength and beauty of the ocean and mountains featured in the image. It also fits perfectly into his work as a whole to complete his piece. It also fits well into his style of minimalism. Apart from the striking light, the subject is quite plain being compromised of a small line of mountains with a foreground of lowly lit water. The image is a worthy and essential part of the greater work as a whole.