alastair philip wiper captures the 'unintended beauty' of the industrial world

with a new book and exhibition ‘unintended beauty,’ british photographer alastair philip wiper presents an exploration of the vast and little-known spaces of industry. the work is a continuation of the artist’s fascination with symmetry, linear density, and the beauty of functional perfection. traveling across the world, alastair philip wiper frames scenes of machinery which, to most, appear to depict mysterious systems and objects with a vibrancy and a quality of inherent abstraction. in this way the photographer reveals the aesthetic and unfamiliar origin of the usual consumer items of our everyday lives.

absolut vodka distillery, sweden | all images © alastair philip wiper

with his series ‘unintended beauty,’ alastair philip wiper reveals unrecognizable systems of industry and monumental objects of machinery. on view at MADD bordeaux, the collection depicts the results of human ingenuity which have been continually evolving across millenia, through trial and error. the images brings forth to the viewer an acute awareness of how unfamiliar these systems are, which produce such familiar items. in his book, now available for purchase, alastair philip wiper quotes the late american astronomer carl sagan: ‘we live in a society exquisitely dependent on science and technology, in which hardly anyone knows anything about science and technology.’

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alastair philip wiper’s ‘unintended beauty’ offers a complex and inorganic collection of geometries and patterning. the images represent the unending vastness of a factory floor, and the great complexity which might make up a single, highly specific piece of machinery. on the production floor of toy company playmobil, the photographer captures an intricate network of pipes and tubing, seemingly complex but with a clear logic. this machine, known as ‘the octopus,’ sucks plastic pellets around the factory. in the forward of ‘unintended beauty,’ theoretical physicist marcelo gleiser elaborates: ‘alastair philip wiper calls to our attention the sheer awesomeness of our machines, big and small. the story being told here, of human inventiveness, is one of triumph and drama.’

alastair philip wiper’s ‘unintended beauty’ is on view now through january 3rd, 2021 at MADD bordeaux.

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