Project: The Worshipful Architecture

Interview by: Akshit Bhardwaj

Yanika Anukulpun is a passionate fine art photographer who was born in Thailand. Her educated background is journalism, graphic design and photography. She graduated a master’s degree of photography from Academy of Art University in San Francisco. Following her graduation, one of her fine art architectural photography series is The Worshipful Architecture that she had travelled and shot the interestingly different revival church designs that were built in between 1840 -1940 from many cities in the US such as San Francisco, Chicago, New York, New Orleans and Washington D.C.

What is the story behind the project and how did you come up with the name “ The Worshipful Architecture” ?

Well, my family is the Buddhists, and I believe and respect in gods from all kinds of religious. When I first came to the US, I could not go to Thai temple. However, I had lived near the huge gorgeous church in San Francisco that is Grace Cathedral Church. I often went there to pray for my father and predecessors there. I also met a lot of hopeless people who went there and pray to the god quietly. Then, I came up with the idea of respect and worship, so the church is a respectful place for the people. Also, the majority of people use the church to have different ceremonies regarding to the god such as Wedding and federal ceremonies.

What are the challenges that you faced during the photo shoot?

I think the location where I needed to stand and capture a part of church including of steeple and façade. It is the most difficult and challenge because sometimes, I had no room enough to step back and took the pictures, and also some of churches are blocked and surrounded by skyscrapers. In addition, the weather is also an issue as my photo series is needed to shoot before noon or late afternoon in the sunny day. Then, I needed to go back to photograph some church photos several times to get the best quality of neutral lighting.

Why did you choose to photograph in the churches?

In my opinion, church is one of main unique architecture, and being a part of American architectural history that during the revival design timeline, there were many immigrants from Europe, and South America came and settled down in the US. Then, a lot of American architects got the inspiration and started building up the American revival style of architecture in the US, and could spend time of building shorter than the original one from Europe or South America as they cut the details decorate out, and maintained the unique form and design for this revival style. Church is the one of significant type of architecture can represent American’s unique architecture design.

How important is the monochrome color story to you?

I choose the monochrome for this project to express my sorrowful feeling when I lost my father, and hopeless. As you will see the steeple or façade are surrounding by darkness, but the church is the lightest part on each photograph. Another reason, I would like the audience to focus for design elements including of shape and form, so that is why I chose the black and white color instead of color one.

WCW Questionnaire.

Describe your creative process in one word.

Strength

If you could teach a one-hour class on anything, what would it be?

It would be the fine art architectural photography class.

What is the last book your read or film you saw that inspired you?

The last book is A Story of America in 100 Photographs as well as my last film was Big Eyes that I saw last week.

What is the most played song in your music library?

Mostly, I listen to indie and jazz songs. My most played songs are Pick up the Pieces ( Average White Band), Bla Bla Bla (Italian Secret Service) and Day 1 (Honne).

How do you take your coffee?

I usually have my three favorite types of coffee, and it depends on my mood of each day including of Latte, Americano and Matcha or green tea latte with soymilk and less sweet.