Thomas Struth: Unconscious places

In this new edition of his striking collection of street views from 1970 to 2010. Thomas Struth presents a series of urban streetscapes from cities such as Edinburgh, Lima, Pyongyang, Naples, and New York City, all taken in similar conditions--devoid of human activity. Struth refers to these mundane buildings, unpopulated streets and anonymous facades as "unconscious places"--environments that are imbued with meaning only by the viewer. Captured with technical prowess and presented with powerful, restrained neutrality, Struth's images allow us to fully appreciate a city's character--from its telephone wires above to the pavement below. Richard Sennett's illuminating essay reveals how Struth's sober, lucid photography leads the viewer to create their own conclusions, rather than forcing a perspective. The resulting interplay among photographer, viewer, and landscape may hold the key to understanding how architecture affects our daily lives.

Thomas Struth, Richard Sennett

Prestel, 2020

24.6 X 23.5 cm, 264 pages