The Weight of concrete
Oscar Maltby
Massey University College of Creative Arts
The Weight of Concrete explores cycles of construction and decay across Wellington’s urban spaces, focusing on sites caught between use and neglect. Using large format film, the project embraces a slower process of observation, allowing time to understand each location before making an image. Darkroom printing further connects the physical process to the individuality of each site, producing one-of-a-kind handmade prints. Rather than documenting ruins, the photographs reflect on what remains and the systems that shape the city through demolition, vacancy, speculation, and redevelopment. The work invites a slower way of looking, drawing attention to overlooked spaces and the potential within them.