Swiss-German photographer Thomas Mayer is a prominent figure in architectural photography. He is best known for his collaborations with some of the world’s top architects. Over the years, his work has documented numerous projects that offer insight into the evolution of architecture, providing a platform to appreciate not just the structures themselves but also the creative minds behind them.

Mayer moved to Germany in 1968 and began his career in automotive advertising before moving on to photojournalism, a field to which he dedicated many years. Professor Thomas Rempen, a key figure in the advertising industry known for developing architectural concepts, introduced Mayer to Zaha Hadid In 1989 to document the Neuer Zollhof project in Düsseldorf. He meticulously documented the entire ten-year project from start to finish, capturing its progress in detail. Collaborating first with Hadid and then with Frank Gehry was a turning point in Mayer’s career, leading him to focus on architectural photography.

Thomas Rempen later invited Frank Gehry, Rem Koolhaas, and Jean Nouvel to collaborate on the Mercedes project highlighting Düsseldorf. In 1997, Mayer was entrusted with documenting the work of these three architecture masterminds busy at their drawing tables. Rempen’s talent in becoming almost invisible enabled him to capture the architects in their natural state, revealing candid moments that offer a rare glimpse into their creative processes.

In the early 2000s, Mayer photographed the Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex World Heritage Site and the Zollverein School of Management and Design, designed by the renowned Tokyo-based architecture office SANAA. This series captured SANAA’s innovative spirit and highlighted its rise as a pioneer of contemporary architecture.

Mayer’s journey brought him to Türkiye in 2007 through an encounter with architect Murat Tabanlıoğlu and Emre Arolat. This meeting allowed him to explore and document the country’s architectural diversity. Mayer subsequently collaborated with prominent Turkish architects, including Durmuş Dilekçi, and Burak Pekoğlu. He translated their works into an international visual language through these projects to present them to the global architecture scene.

Mayer’s background in editorial photography transformed him into an alchemist of sorts within the realm of architectural photography. Since 1989, his series have brought valuable insights into the international architectural landscape, capturing the essence of architectural production. His works offer a profound and nuanced narrative of each period, allowing viewers to witness the evolution of architecture and its context over time.

Thomas Mayer

28 September – 13 October 2024

Akaretler 37 – 39