Space Dilation

Theresa Duerr-Farrell

The upper corner of a light brown, traditional stone building with decorative cornices and small windows is brightly lit by warm sunlight, casting dramatic shadows. Behind and above it, a sleek, dark blue glass skyscraper with a distinct diagonal framework reflects the sky, symbolizing a blend of old and new urban architecture.

In this project, I’m investigating the visual language of urban Toronto and the relationship between its buildings. Through regular walks of the downtown core, I photographed the transitional, claustrophobic, and valley-like spaces created by the odd junctures and appendages of buildings. Photographing at ground level and from elevated parking lots, I experimented with different framings.

This topic is important because cities are always changing. The way the city currently looks will not be the same in years to come. I chose to record the amalgamation of architectural styles that are present before the inevitable change. Architecture is the blueprint to a city's atmosphere, with the materials used impacting appearance and creating shifting shadows and light that we pass through as citizens. I want my project to encourage curiosity in city buildings, while also showcasing a non-traditional use of acrylic as a printing medium. The use of acrylic not only speaks to the materials used in architecture, but gives the photos more dimensional and tactile feeling. There are so many details in each image I captured.

In the series, the visual balance between structures continuously shifts and layers, creating an interesting, dynamic relationship between buildings. This also speaks to how the different structural materials mesh and layer together, and the contrasts between older and newer buildings. There is also an ambiguity to these photos, since there are no major landmarks or signature structures. This allows the viewer to connect the images to similarities in other cities. Ultimately, this project explores the changing face of the city while amplifying the density and dimensionality of the various buildings that we pass every day.

About The Artist

A smiling young woman, with long dark hair framing her face and sunglasses resting on top of her head, wears a black sleeveless top. She is captured from the chest up, positioned slightly to the right, in front of a large window. Through the window, an eclectic urban view reveals an old stone building and bare trees on the left, a construction crane and scaffolding in the mid-ground, and several modern skyscrapers on the right, one featuring a prominent orange vertical stripe.

Theresa Duerr-Farrell

I’m a creative from the East Coast, currently in Toronto, in my final semester for my BFA at Toronto Metropolitan University. I've been in several creative and communicative roles. I want to use the skills I've honed throughout my experience to help others bring their vision to life. I take a collaborative approach to any project presented to me. It's important to me to understand the goal and personal vision, to help ensure the project can be both visually pleasing and tell a compelling story through the result. 

I absolutely love connecting with new people and learning about what they're working on, so please feel free to get in touch with me, and I can hear about how your creativity flows!

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