Chandigarh (Capitol Complex 1) 2006 2009

Curator: We're looking at John Riddy's "Chandigarh (Capitol Complex 1)" from 2006, currently held in the Tate Collections. Editor: It's desolate, almost apocalyptic. The stark geometry feels imposing, yet the muted tones render it strangely serene. Curator: The composition is quite striking. Riddy masterfully uses light and shadow, and the stark contrast accentuates the formal elements of the architecture. Editor: It's hard to ignore the sociopolitical implications of photographing Chandigarh, Le Corbusier's planned city, a modernist dream turned into a site of displacement and contested power. Curator: The meticulous detail and sharp focus certainly emphasize the underlying structure. Editor: Perhaps too much emphasis on structure and not enough on the human element; still, it’s a testament to the ways modernism interacts with post-colonial India. Curator: A compelling work for its formal precision. Editor: It offers a stark reminder of how utopian visions impact real lives and spaces.