Apartment building, Avenue Bagamoyo, Beira, Mozambique 2008

Curator: Guy Tillim's photograph, "Apartment building, Avenue Bagamoyo, Beira, Mozambique," immediately strikes me with its starkness. There's a certain brutal beauty to the architecture. Editor: Yes, the scale and composition create a strong sense of isolation. The figures are dwarfed by the concrete, and the overall tone feels heavy, almost dystopian. It makes me consider the politics embedded within urban landscapes. Curator: Tillim often explores the legacy of colonialism and political upheaval through architecture. This image, like much of his work, highlights the disjunction between modernist ideals and lived realities in post-colonial African cities. Editor: I agree, and the framing is so important. The concrete pillars act as both a barrier and a lens, forcing us to confront these issues of power and place. What does it mean to live in these spaces, and who decides who gets to occupy them? Curator: Absolutely. It’s a visual representation of complex histories, prompting us to reflect on the socio-economic disparities shaping these communities. Editor: It's a stark reminder that even the most imposing structures are ultimately inhabited by individuals with their own stories and struggles. This work really resonates with the debates about urban planning, inequality, and social justice today.