Two things are certain: Iwan Baan is widely recognized for his architectural photography; and the power of images in spreading architectural ideas cannot be underestimated. Before reading about an exhibition, many of us are drawn to the images—something that is evident, not least, in the concept of aer. This is because photos have the ability to capture the essence of a building, which is truly an art of its own. Baan has mastered this art, skillfully capturing moments and people in and around architecture, allowing the viewer to feel a deep connection to them. The Vitra Museum, where Baan’s photographs are on display, complements his work as it showcases his motifs from various angles. 

Upon entering the exhibition, one is immediately immersed in his world. Videos and collections of photographs document his travels to construction sites, including those of architects Rem Koolhaas and Herzog & de Meuron in China. The gallery provides insight into Baan’s approach to capturing the construction process. As one continues on, it becomes easy to forget that this is a retrospective of a photographer’s work. The deeper one delves, the broader the spectrum of contemporary architecture becomes. It feels as though one is in the midst of a contemporary architecture guidebook. From Brasilia to Cairo, and from Rome to Las Vegas, the exhibition takes one on a journey through diverse cities, exploring buildings by architects like Francis Kéré in Burkina Faso or immersing one in the experience of a temple opening in Japan. Each location draws one in to appreciate the grandeur of the architecture. 

The exhibition offers more than just a display of photographs, but rather an exploration of architectural photography, which is showcased through creative arrangements of screens, hanging pictures, or thematic display cubes featuring cityscapes and other topics. Baan’s renowned aerial photographs, taken from helicopters to capture the urban fabric, are included. The desire to explore architectural marvels only grows after experiencing the exhibition. In fact, while searching for travel recommendations for the coming year, I couldn’t resist purchasing the exhibition catalog.

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