Centre Européen pour la Recherche Nucléaire, Geneva, Switzerland Possibly 1989 - 2006

Editor: This is "Centre Européen pour la Recherche Nucléaire, Geneva, Switzerland" by Lewis Baltz, possibly created between 1989 and 2006, and it’s a photograph. The almost clinical composition and the rigid geometry give me a feeling of detachment, almost coldness. What strikes you about this piece? Curator: The photograph's strength lies in its stark composition and precise geometry. Notice how the lines of the tiled floor converge, drawing the eye towards the banks of computers. The repetitive nature of the machines and the architectural grid creates a sense of calculated order, wouldn’t you agree? Editor: I do. The geometric perfection feels… unnatural. Curator: Precisely. Consider the color palette—the subdued greys, whites, and blues. The controlled application contributes to the overall feeling of sterility. Baltz has masterfully composed a scene that emphasizes form and structure, thereby abstracting the technological subject matter. What effect do you think that the bright ceiling and even lighting have on the composition? Editor: It flattens the space, I think, almost removing depth, contributing to the cold feeling and focusing you on the surfaces and shapes. It almost becomes a study of geometric forms rather than a portrait of a place. Curator: Exactly. Baltz compels us to confront the aesthetics of technology and how modern spaces are arranged with repetitive components to fulfill an unseen and perhaps, unknown need. The photograph becomes less about function, and more about dissecting and cataloging, presenting and aestheticizing this new machine-oriented way of existing. Editor: So, through its rigid form and muted palette, the image transforms this room full of technology into an abstract study of shape and light. I see that now. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure. A close formal analysis can yield unexpected insight.