Momentum of Light

Presented at the AA as part of our residency at Heal’s, Momentum of Light frames the importance of environment in our experience of space. Learning from the innovative forms and variety of textures across the structures and spaces in question, as well as the tectonic qualities of sunlight, this set of photographs encourages us to design light and its effects on space as part of the architectural experience.

Iwan Baan (b 1975, Alkmaar, Netherlands) grew up near Amsterdam and studied photography at the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague. His architectural and documentary photographs are regularly published in magazines and newspapers including Domus, a+u, New York magazine and the New York Times. He has worked for renowned architecture firms such as SANAA, Rem Koolhaas/OMA, Herzog & de Meuron, Toyo Ito, Steven Holl and Zaha Hadid. By representing people in architecture and always showing the surroundings of the buildings he portrays, Baan questions the traditional representation of buildings as isolated and static structures; instead of isolating the built structure, he embeds it in history and context.

Francis Kéré (b 1965, Gando, Burkina Faso) is an internationally-renowned Burkinabè architect, recognised for his pioneering approach to design and sustainable modes of construction. His vocation to become an architect comes from a personal commitment to serve the community he grew up in, and a belief in the transformative potential of beauty. In 2004, his very first building was awarded the prestigious Aga Khan Award for Architecture, garnering him critical acclaim from the outset of his career. In 2005 he founded his architectural practice, Kéré Architecture GmbH, as well as the Kéré Foundation eV, a non-profit organisation that pursues projects in Gando.

Momentum of Light was originally commissioned by Zumtobel Group for a special 30th-anniversary edition of its Annual Report 2020/21; an exhibition of this work was first presented at Kunstmuseum Olten, Switzerland, in August 2021. All exhibits are photographs by Iwan Baan and are loans by the artist. The exhibition is accompanied by a book of the same name published by Lars Müller, which is available to purchase from the AA Bookshop.

The legendary Heal’s building was acquired by creative real estate developer General Projects and global investment firm KKR in 2021. With its rich heritage and iconic status, their focus is on preserving, restoring and reinventing the landmark building - breathing new life into the creative cornerstone on Tottenham Court Road.

Private View: Friday, 11 March from 6pm onwards
Exhibition dates: Saturday 12 March – Saturday 11 June
Opening hours: Monday-Saturday: 10am–7pm

Acknowledgements:
Commissioned and Organised by Christopher Pierce and Manijeh Verghese
Exhibition Design – Kéré Architecture
Lighting Design – Francesco Anselmo
Graphic Design – AA Communications Studio
Exhibition Realisation – AA Public Programme
Exhibition Build – AA Facilities
Artwork Installation – Install Archive

With thanks to Dorothee Messmer, Katja Herlach and Pawel Ferus from Kunstmuseum Olten

Image: A woman walking up to the building’s flat rooftop, Bobo-Dioulasso, credit: Iwan Baan, 2021.