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Catching the Light JACK LOVEL: The architecture of Iwan Iwanoff March 16, 2021

Posted by bohdan.warchomij in : Jack Lovel Photographer, Metaphor Online , comments closed
“Catching the Light” Jack Lovel Photo Bohdan Warchomij

Jack Lovel’s book launch, namely “Catching The Light” at the Mobilia Studio in 888 Hay Street Perth was a special occasion.

Jack Lovel Photo Bohdan Warchomij

Featuring the work of Bulgarian architect Iwan Iwanoff in Perth it captured more than light. It captured the genesis and the spirit of and the technology of Iwanoff’s powerful work. And sensitively it showed respect for the landscape in which these works were made. The light in Perth is astonishing and Jack’s work through his lens has made the work stand out palpably. It attracted architects. Neil Appleton from Lyons Architecture,  Adrian Iredale from Iredale Pedersen Hook, who gave the keynote opening address,  and Kayisha Iwanoff, the niece of Iwanoff, who is an interior designer.

Kayisha Iwanoff Photo Bohdan Warchomij

Kayisha Iwanoff Interior Designer

There were numerous other guests revelling in the work and the beautiful backdrop of the Mobilia showroom. Miles Openshaw from the Globetown Project with his wife Amanda and son Xavier. Owner of Mobilia Sam Fazzari was at the opening although owner Mirella Scaramella was unable to attend.

Owners of  Iwanoff properties Matthew and Merja Shield, Mark Baxter and Karen Featherby were in attendance.

Neil Appleton and Adrian Iredale Architects Photo Bohdan Warchomij

Adrian Iredale in his address mentioned Jack Lovel from a recent conversation
and ‘his obsession with the work of Iwanoff’.
“This is a healthy obsession, it is productive and focused. Over the last decade I have
heard of numerous attempts to produce dedicated books or catalogues on Iwan’s
work. Such attempts to create a meaningful focus fail to materialise in the intended
manner, we are generally left with project articles in magazines or more recently,
detailed descriptions and photographic portrayals on real estate agents websites.
Here the ‘weight’ of Iwanoff seems to manifest as a curse.
As noted earlier, the Iwan Iwanoff catalogue from 1991 focused on the art of
architecture. Here Jack has adopted a specific and focused approach, the title
‘Catching Light’ immediately identifies his approach. The front cover embraces the
scale of the block, the block texture can be seen and almost felt, reinforced by the
textured paper. The back cover contrasts the grey natural block front cover with
painted block, here the texture is reduced and the shadow pronounced (Iwanoff was
critical of owners later painting his blocks). There is an honesty and authenticity in
these photos, Jack captures qualities of light against an evolving approach of Iwan
Iwanoff from the Californian modernists inspired houses of the 50’s to the very
personal approach with the concrete block. What remains consistent is Jack’s
approach to capturing the diversity of approach of Iwanoff to light.”

Jack Lovel is an architectural photographer based in Melbourne, Australia. With ten years worth of experience, Jack has worked with some of the leading architects and design practices in the field including Splinter Society, Carr Design, Christopher Elliott and Biasol. His editorial work has featured in global publications like Dwell, Elle Decoration, Houses and Habitus.

Alongside his freelance practice, Jack has spent the past three years documenting Iwan Iwannoff’s architectural legacy in Western Australia, culminating in a 2019 exhibition entitled The Architecture of Iwan Iwanoff – Through the lens of Jack Lovel at Perth’s There Is Studio. This body of work was initially inspired by the Iwanoff-designed Jordanoff house that Jack grew up in, and is a testament to his long fascination with – and passion for – contemporary architecture.

The closing words by Adrian Iredale at the opening  were from a well known quote by Iwan Iwanoff: “Architecture without Art is like life without a pulse .”Here Jack Lovel maitains the pulse through the frozen art of capturing light.” Adrian Iredale Architect.

 

www.jacklovel.com

Jack Lovel Photo Bohdan Warchomij