Cray supercomputer, C.E.R.N., Geneva, Switzerland Possibly 1989 - 2006

Lewis Baltz took this photograph of a Cray supercomputer at C.E.R.N. in Geneva, Switzerland. The way the colours are applied in blocks is so striking, the vertical stripes of yellow and blue, it's like a Mondrian painting, but instead of paint, it's the sleek, industrial surfaces of the computer. There's a real tension in the photograph between the slick surfaces and the cold, manufactured colour. The tile of the floor is a similar colour to the background but is broken up by the black lines. These colours don't quite sit together, making it feel slightly off-kilter. It feels like Baltz is deliberately constructing a way of seeing that challenges our understanding of these technologies. The way the image is lit really emphasises the textures and surfaces, making them feel almost palpable. Look at the blue base of the columns, a soft, almost inviting material to contrast with the stark lines of the screens in the background. Looking at this piece, I'm reminded of the work of Andreas Gursky, who also explores the intersection of technology, architecture, and the human experience.