German-based photographer Candida Höfer has a long list of mesmerizing photographs and accolades. Her works primarily focus on capturing moments within empty social spaces and vacant public interiors. Through these projects, she focuses on exposing and highlighting "the social psychology of architecture". Recognized for her breathtaking large-format photos, Höfer's blend of photographic technicality and artistry are apparent in her most recent series, In Mexico. 

In her series, images were taken during the course of her stay in Mexico while participating in a cultural exchange in 2015. According to New York gallery owner Sean Kelly, "Höfer’s photographs document not only the physical details of the interior but also capture the spirit and essence of each space.” The enormous photographic scale, exquisite representation of detail, and vivid colors, transport viewers. Höfer’s precise eye and skillful attention to light and shadows are beautifully displayed. By capturing prominent civic institutions throughout Mexico, her portraits of covenants, churches, hospitals, and theaters draw observers into her work allowing for a sense of awe and reflection. With the project taking her across Mexico, Höfer's photographs exhibit a range of architectural styles. From the neoclassical style of the Palacio de Bellas Artes Ciudad de México to the art deco forms found in Edificio Basurto, the artist captures Mexico's rich architectural history in every photo. 

“I realized that what people do in those places—and what the spaces do to them—is more obvious when nobody is present, just as an absent guest can often become the topic of conversation.”

By capturing the empty interiors of these spaces, she allows the photograph to narrate the story of Mexican architecture. Her floor to ceiling shots offers an almost overwhelming feeling of intrigue that leaves the viewer entranced. A former student of Bernd and Hilla Becher, Höfer focuses on exploring where and how architecture intertwines and affects human psyche. Each photo in the series captures the rich symmetry and detail of the interior which calls for a response of immersive inspection. “I realized that what people do in those places—and what the spaces do to them—is more obvious when nobody is present, just as an absent guest can often become the topic of conversation,” said Höfer in a press release. 

Höfer's work will be on display at the Sean Kelly Gallery in Manhattan from February 2nd to March 16, 2019