John Bezold

This sturdy, tense, and rather proud book, encapsulates a five-year journey throughout the life of twelve buildings of the architect Wiel Arets, as experienced by artist Bas Princen. It was created over a period of five years, from 2010-2015. This photographer’s imagery documents the interplay of contemporary metropolitan conditions, as they converge with raw wilderness–having previously produced many commissioned pieces, site-specific series, and several bespoke publications featuring his work. This is the first book to document the work of a singular designer, as seen through the lens of this photographer. Within the book’s pages, columns seem to be composed of trees; fritted surfaces resemble abstract paintings; and mechanical systems appear to replicate sculptural silhouettes. Accordingly, the book freezes inconspicuous incidents of ephemerality that paralleled the use and construction of the twelve buildings. Designed by Mevis & van Deursen in Amsterdam–who are perhaps best known for their logo and branding of the city’s Stedelijk Museum; the book offers an exceptional window onto moments in time in the life of some of Arets’ key buildings through its striking images–capturing ephemeral moments rarely seen by those not involved, or permitted to be admitted to, their construction sites.