This past Saturday, I had the great privilege of speaking at the 2016 Dwell on Design Los Angeles conference. Known as “America’s Largest Design Event,” Dwell On Design boasts three days of modern furnishing and product exhibitions, 100+ speakers, onstage presentations, and educational opportunities at the LA convention Center. My panel topic was “Photographing Architecture” and the discussion was led by Dwell Senior Editor, Aileen Kwun. I was joined by renowned Architectural Photographer Grant Mudford and the Getty Research Institute’s Architecture Curator, Maristella Casciato.
Although Grant, Maristella and I have very different backgrounds and perspectives on architectural photography, I feel we were able to produce a thoughtful and insightful discourse. Among other topics, we discussed the history of LA’s architectural photography, different methods and approaches to capturing LA’s built environment, and preserving architecture from the present and the past through archiving.
In my personal presentation, I focused on how I strive to help shape the public’s perception of Downtown Los Angeles through my work. LA architecture is often identified as Mid-Century Modern homes tucked away in the hills, or iconic landmarks such as Grauman’s Chinese Theater or Griffith Observatory. There is a shift towards adaptive reuse and sleek, modern buildings that I believe will soon become synonymous with LA’s identity.
“I WANT TO SHOW THE WORLD THAT WHILE LANDMARKS LIKE THE CASE STUDY HOUSES OR WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL ARE CERTAINLY PART OF OUR IDENTITY – THEY ARE NOT DEFINITIVE OF WHAT IS CURRENTLY HAPPENING IN LOS ANGELES ARCHITECTURE.” – H.K.
Los Angeles is yet again in a period of self-reinvention, and there is no place more evident of it’s architectural rebirth than Downtown. Every day, I aim to document the growth of modern architecture, public transit, and urban planning happening in this city.
“…THE REALITY IS MOST WHO OBSERVE LA’S ARCHITECTURE WILL BE DOING SO THROUGH IMAGERY. MY GOAL IS TO CONTINUE SHOWING IT IN THE BEST LIGHT AS DOWNTOWN LA RECLAIMS ITS STAUTS AS THE CULTURAL AND ARCHITECTURAL HEART OF LOS ANGELES.” – H.K.
A huge thank you to Aileen Kwun and Dwell for giving us the opportunity to share our thoughts and ideas! It was an honor to speak among some of the most important and talented members in the industry.
