The theme of this lovely exhibit at the National Building Museum is urban buildings that have been adapted into churches, which the photographer has documented in many cities for over thirty years.
As the photographer points out, these churches are often some of the longest-lasting buildings in their neighborhoods; their congregations remain as surrounding buildings are repurposed or demolished. One particularly striking series in the exhibit shows a small storefront church that stays in place as surrounding buildings rise and fall for over twenty years. The church itself goes through changes as well as it's repainted and remodeled.
Beyond the church buildings themselves, Vergara dives into the rich signage and symbols outside and inside, as well as providing some portraits of church leaders. The churches are signed with long names and often fascinating texts that reflect their position as self-declared bulwarks of peace in often troubled neighborhoods. Some of the more fundamentalist signage has an ominous tone that is reflected in Vergara's dark, saturated, slightly spooky prints. Some of the signage also expresses an obsessive, relentless religious tone that is not completely unlike the photographer's unforgiving pursuit of these sites over several decades.
This is a rich, multi-faceted documentary project and definitely an inspiration for other documentarians.
Vergara has a book on this series as well.
Exhibit details
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