As you walk into the International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum’s (IPHF) newest exhibition, Detail/Oriented: The Architectural Photograph of Ken Konchel, you’re surrounded by black-and-white photos showcasing the complexities and wonders of architecture. Ken Konchel, an artistic photographer, invites visitors to see past the buildings themselves and appreciate the small details of creating unique architectural designs through shape and line. This pocket exhibit is on display through April 15, alongside a print sale benefitting IPHF.
Konchel’s interest in architecture as a child, when he was already photographing buildings. “Most kids take pictures of people or their pets or maybe landscapes, but I’ve always been drawn to architecture for some reason,” he says. “It’s just been something that keenly interests me.”
Stay up-to-date with the local arts scene
Subscribe to the weekly St. Louis Arts+Culture newsletter to discover must-attend art exhibits, performances, festivals, and more.
With an interest in capturing architecture in abstract ways, Konchel distills architecture into its most basic forms: shape, line, pattern, detail, and texture. “One of my missions is to increase awareness of the architectural environment and how it really kind of improves the quality of our life,” Konchel says. “Because architecture ends up being a creative legacy.”
The artist touts St. Louis as his favorite place to work, and here will be a significant number of familiar buildings from the St. Louis area, including The Pulitzer Foundation’s “Joe” sculpture, the McDonnell Planetarium, Priory Chapel, and more.
Konchel, who has spent time working as a volunteer greeter at IPHF, is “thrilled and proud” to have his first solo exhibition at the museum.
“My motivation is to make people appreciate architecture, and one of the best compliments I get is when people look at my work and they say, ‘Gosh I’ve never really appreciated that building before,’” he says.
General admission tickets cost $10 for adults and $5 for seniors and children. On April 7th, the museum will be free for all as part of the First Fridays in Grand Center. Museum hours are Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
