Tommy Kwak's sold out photography book of Miami lifeguard towers methodically examines the 30 colourful, iconic and arguably kitsch structures that have become symbols of South Florida's revitalisation.
After the destruction of Hurricane Andrew on Miami Beach in 1992, the lifeguard towers were commissioned to be redesigned in vibrant fashion to uplift the spirits of the town. In the tradition of the Becher's water tower series, Tommy Kwak's award-winning series of images utilises similar framing and long exposures to produce minimal sky and sea backdrops in order to highlight the traits of each tower, inviting the reader to appreciate and compare the electric colour palettes and eccentric forms.
This body of work shows Kwak's distinct approach, recognisable by the composition of the pictures, sophisticated usage of the angles and manipulation of light, shadow and colour. It's a style of photography that celebrates a kind of ephemeral beauty, and at the same time transforms these entities into more graphic forms, bringing a fresh perspective on the lifeguard towers of Miami Beach.
Blurring Books, 60 pgs, 20.8 × 15.3 cm, illustrated hardcover, 2023