exploring architecture through the lens: a reflection on my participation in a photography workshop with jean molitor
as a photographer passionate about architecture, i was thrilled to receive an invitation from my friend and instructor, alex ndibwami, to participate in a photography workshop led by the legendary architectural photographer, jean molitor. the workshop was held at the university of rwanda's school of architecture and environmental design, and it brought together rwandan architecture students, instructors, and their colleagues from around the world, for a day of exploring and documenting the city's heritage buildings.
the objective of the workshop was to share tips and tricks in architectural photography (being mindful of light, lens choice, and angles) and to encourage the students to be aware of the storytelling aspects of capturing the buildings and structures they create around them. as an integral component of the extensive DOCOMOMO international initiative, the school of architecture and environmental design is vigorously advocating for the establishment of a rwanda chapter, as part of the critically important shared heritage africa program overseen by DOCOMOMO germany.
through the day’s exercise, i had the privilege of facilitating the conversation between the students and their mentors as we explored key heritage buildings in kigali, including the cloister of bernadine sisters (built in 1930) and sainte-famille church (built in 1914) to name a few. this experience was a reminder of the significance of documenting heritage structures, especially with the fast-paced modernization and urbanization that many african cities are experiencing.
in today's rapidly changing world, the need to document and preserve our built environments is more critical than ever. through collaborations such as DOCOMOMO international and shared heritage africa, young architects and creatives have a unique opportunity to showcase the beauty and significance of modernist buildings and other architectural wonders built in the mid-twentieth century in various African countries. The photo exhibition hosted at the gallery of the school of art and industrial design (kyambogo university, uganda) displaying modernist buildings from ghana, nigeria, rwanda, and uganda is an excellent example of the potential for such collaborations.
the impact of the spaces we inhabit on our lives is profound, and preserving them for future generations is of utmost importance. was reminded of the work of other talented photographers such as mutua matheka of kenya and timothy latim of uganda, who are advancing the conversation in this field.
in conclusion, as storytellers, it's crucial that we collaborate with architects and creatives to document and preserve our changing built environment. let's join hands to tell the stories of the architectural wonders around us, ensuring that they inspire and inform future generations as they design and shape the world.
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