If you’re curious how a sociologist might interpret the built environment, Pinkcomma has a pretty good answer. The Boston design gallery has organized an exhibit of photos by David Schalliol, who has a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Chicago and teaches at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn. In the tradition of Bernd and Hilla Becher, Schalliol often photographs freestanding structures in urban settings. “These buildings and their environs demonstrate how socially influenced investment cycles affect the visible aspects of our built environment, urban neighborhoods, and community relationships,” he explains.
The Loneliest Architecture
Sociologist David Schalliol uncovers hidden meanings in his deceptively simple images of humble buildings.
David Schalliol
Shell Oil Company Spectacular Sign (Cambridge, Massachussetts)