Alan Gaynor’s Under Brooklyn Bridge, the mesmerizing huge photograph (43.94″ x 26.4″) at the Viridian exhibition this last fall, is a show-stopper. It captures the complexity of geometric shapes, graceful contours, forms, and lines that transform what could be a static urban image into one pulsating with energy, intrigue, and rhythm.
Gaynor states that he loves the mathematical basis of architectural design. In fact, all of the photos in this outstanding show convey the majesty of the city’s buildings and their architectural geometry. They also reflect a particular rhythm, a connection between architecture and music. Gaynor often quotes the 18th century German poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe who claimed that “music is liquid architecture: architecture is frozen music.” Goethe’s analogy suggests that buildings possess a distinct rhythm, harmony, and melody. All reinforce the importance of artistic and aesthetic qualities in architectural design.
Just as music can create a psychological effect, architecture can have a similar effect, as amply demonstrated in Gaynor’s complex and beguiling show of cityscapes. Dramatic spatial and textural contrasts bring new meaning to how to view New York City. In Layers from 26 Broadway, a repetition of forms, textures, and contrasts between dark and light, provide the viewer with a way to appreciate the city’s multifaceted landscape.
With the photograph, Manhattan Reflections, Gaynor uses repetition to create a lively image. Just as repetition is important in musical composition, Gaynor’s Manhattan Reflections is in effect a composition of horizonal lines creating a rhythmical pattern — like a single motif in a piece of music.
It’s no surprise that Gaynor so adroitly captures the city with such geometric imagery. He received a Bachelor of Architecture from Pratt Institute in 1971, had his own firm, and at the same time pursued professional photography. After a successful architectural career, he retired three years ago to devote himself solely to photography. Gaynor studied with some of the acknowledged masters of the photographic medium including David Vestal, Jock Sturges, George Tice and John Sexton, who was Ansel Adams technical assistant.
Gaynor’s work exploring structures, lighting and space has received many awards. Among the many accolades he has received is the Bronze Award in the 2012 international Loupe Awards and an Honorable Mention in the 17th Annual Black and White Spider Awards in 2022.
Gaynor was always interested in how a city’s buildings related to each other. This is at the core of his recent show at Viridian —a preoccupation with how a city is layered, composed of multiple buildings forming a pattern, an artistic composition that only the camera can capture. “I have aways been interested in the juxtaposition of one building to another,” he says. G&S
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