American born and Brazilian raised, photographer Paul Clemence brings an international perspective to the architecture he shoots. He’s a favorite of A+A, and for good reason – this is a globe-trotting individual who keeps one eye cocked for the modern world, whether in Brasilia, Zurich or New York. He was in Paris a couple of years ago, and sent us a series of photos of the contemporary designs he found there. We’re pleased to run them here today:
Background on the photoshoot?
I was taking a sabbatical in Paris, and the idea was to just unplug, take some time to think of some new ideas, conceptualize new projects and create headspace for the new. Thus, not to do anything that could be considered “productive.” But it was Paris, and it was impossible not to be photographing!
Why the subjects you chose?
As I wandered the streets and boulevards, the mood went from casual, laid-back flaneur-ing to flaneur-ing with a camera. What excites me the most, the gist of my work and my life, is to discover a new place (or a known place anew), and then figure it out its built, environmental DNA.
Gradually I began to notice how much contemporary architecture there is now in Paris. We tend to be so focused on the traditional Hausmann buildings – that ultimate Parisian notion burnt in our collective minds of that city through paintings, film and literature – that it’s easy to dismiss the new structures. So, I decided to begin shooting a new series focusing on these new buildings that were pushing design forward amid that historical setting.
The season?
It was summer, two years ago, so there was great light, with those long European summer days allowing for a lot of sunlight till late in the day.
Your intent?
I wanted to show this other side of Paris, beyond the stereotypical romantic idea we have of it – that the “City of Lights” continues to be also the city of architectural invention that gave us unique, ground breaking structures like the Eiffel tower, the Centre Pompidou and the Louvre Pyramid.
Your favorite image?
I think the photos of the Cité de la mode et design (the City of Fashion and Design) expresses that notion very well. The building faces the Seine River, that most iconic Parisian scenery, but the shapes, and that beautiful lime green color, are nothing like you would expect to see there.
For more, go here.
