Capturing History – The Outdistance Series by Derek Swalwell

Feature Article

Melbourne, VIC, Australia

Truly capturing the sensory beauty and intricate details of brutalist architecture is not easily achieved. For prominent Melbourne-based photographer Derek Swalwell this task held special significance.

Through his latest photographic series ‘Outdistance’, Derek attempts to immortalise some of northern Italy’s famed brutalist structures whilst paying tribute to the architectural idols of his youth. The ‘Outdistance’ series is the culmination of a journey of discovery, passion and photography.

The ‘Outdistance’ series, Derek’s third solo series to date, represents a slight departure from the aims of his previous showings. Driven by his eternal love of architecture, passion for travel and idolisation of Italian architects Carlo Scarpa, Aldo Rossi and Carlo Aymonino, Derek wanted to craft a series that could be appreciated by the architectural community and the general public alike. It is a series as much for Derek as it is for everyone else.

When explaining his goals and aspirations for ‘Outdistance’ Derek candidly states – “Unlike my previous two series, and subsequent exhibitions, ‘Outdistance’ is a study more so of the detail, and intimate presence of the architecture. Traditionally, my previous series have been much wider, complete building studies, however, I wanted these pictures to be vignettes of what it feels like to be in the spaces. Not only this, but to also be graphic interpretations of the architects thought processes”.

Derek’s journey whilst shooting the ‘Outdistance’ series took him from the Venice Biennale to the famed brutalist structures at the Brion Cemetery, San Cataldo Cemetery and the Gallaratese complex. This expedition was the result of careful planning as Derek strategised a way to bring his vision to life. “There’s something about international architecture that hooks me in”, says Derek. “Italian architecture is obviously a wide gamut of the world’s historical buildings, however Italian architects of the 20th century had a huge impact on the Brutalist movement of the 1950s and gave their work a specific flavour. Upon arriving on location, Derek was immersed in the soft and silent feel that is captured in the final photographs. The utopian impression of the brutalist architecture is heightened by the accompanying natural environment and the distinct lack of humankind – of which Derek saw very little during his time on location.

For Derek, the devil has always laid in the detail. His signature style has developed over the years around his innate ability to capture the elusive elements that very few others can. This characteristic was particularly important to him throughout the shooting of ‘Outdistance’. “The idea with this series was to show the building but more so in detail, as the power of brutalist architecture in my world is its detail. Scarpas concrete detail, for example, and the curves and bold silence of Aldo Rossi’s and Carlo Aymonino’s work”, he explains.

Ultimately, ‘Outdistance’ has evolved into much more than a passion project from one of Australia’s most prominent photographers. This series successfully encapsulates the unique beauty of brutalist architecture and pays the ultimate tribute to the three architects who had such a significant impact on the movement. Through ‘Outdistance’, Derek Swalwell has created a series of ten images that make it near impossible for the viewer to look away, enamoured by the secretive details that become more apparent with each new viewing.

Details on Outdistance can be found on Derek Swalwell’s website.