The series “The Architectural Moment” by Sébastien Löffler aims to revisit, through the medium of photography, what Le Corbusier termed as “objects of poetic reaction”. More profound that an idolization of aesthetic beauty, Le Corbusier collected natural objects such as shells, branches etc. and sought to translate their mathematical essence into the creation of built work. Le Corbusier believed the architectural experience was lived similarly to the tactile and visual connection one could have with certain forms.

Here, our interest in these domestic objects shouldn’t been seen as a literal formal translation. Rather, it concerns the reiteration of the quality of tactile experience and their potential/perceptible transformation into forms of built work. The Architectural Moment places in relation to each object-image a reference of modern icons of architecture. Evoking a conceptual heritage in the reconciliation of profiles, angles and textures, hinting at a cyclical relation between tradition to modernity.

About the artist –

Sébastien Löffler (b.1978) is a French photographer currently based in Nantes, France. When living in Vietnam for a period of 13 years, he co-founded the still active photography agency NOI Pictures in Hanoi where he acted as Creative Director.

Throughout his career he has accomplished a variety of projects including curation, graphic design, production setup and of course photography. His list of clients as a photographer includes: Krug / Moët Hennessy, Calvi on the Rocks, Textuel, Gallimard, Dior, Eurostar Magazine, Elle, La Stampa, VGBC, ACCOR, group8asia, UNIS, UNIDO, InterContinental, Christie Digital, Masan Foods, FSP, SECO, Schroders, In the Black…

In his early years he was awarded the prestigious Ilford Black & White Award in 2000, launching his collaboration with editorial and corporate clients in France. Working with Elisa Le Monnier, his one-year long photographic report documenting the chic urban establishment ‘Le Baron’ resulted in the release of the book Le Baron, Paris 2006. His photographic travels have taken him through Europe, The United States and Southeast Asia in his journey to explore the concept of memory.