Artist Seb Agnew's ambitious photographic venture, "CUBES," is a profound exploration into the essence of spatial design through the lens of meticulously constructed miniature architectural models. Spanning from 2018 to 2025, this extensive series is composed of 27 distinct, hand-built interior environments, segmented into three interconnected phases. The project delves into how architecture not only mirrors human presence and historical evolution but also integrates with complex technological systems, offering a unique perspective on our built world.
Every photograph in the "CUBES" series originates from a tangible, custom-made model room. These intricate setups are created using a blend of traditional craftsmanship and advanced fabrication methods, including laser cutting and 3D printing. Once constructed, these diminutive scenes are carefully illuminated and photographed, then digitally composed to achieve their final form. The resulting images, while presented as photographic art, are deeply rooted in the physical and architectural creation of their subjects.
The Evolution of 'CUBES': From Domesticity to Speculative Futures
The first chapter of the "CUBES" series immerses viewers in intimate domestic interiors, examining themes of personal space, confinement, and individual seclusion within precisely framed cubic structures. The subsequent chapter ventures into historical architectural motifs, reinterpreting them with the addition of visible cracks within the structures. These fissures serve as poignant indicators of fragility and the relentless march of time, suggesting a disruption in historical continuity. The series culminates in its third chapter, where the cubic rooms are reimagined within a fictional, rotating space station. This setting places the architectural narrative within a speculative, technologically driven environment, defined by artificial systems and controlled conditions, pushing the boundaries of spatial imagination.
Throughout its three-chapter progression, the "CUBES" series maintains a consistent cubic framework for each scene, establishing a unified spatial logic that threads through the entire body of work by designer Seb Agnew. While each individual piece functions as a standalone artistic statement, their shared geometric foundation connects them into an evolving architectural system. This system transitions seamlessly from the familiar confines of a domestic interior to the intricate reconstructions of historical eras, and finally, into the visionary realm of speculative infrastructure, offering a comprehensive and thought-provoking journey through architectural concepts.