Brutal Brasília: Dieter Demey on Reimagining Oscar Niemeyer’s Architecture Through Infrared Photography
Brasília’s monumental architecture has been photographed countless times, yet photographer Dieter Demey found an entirely new way to interpret the Brazilian capital. His award-winning series, Brutal Brasília, uses infrared photography to transform familiar landmarks into striking monochrome compositions where contrast, light, and atmosphere reshape the viewer’s perception of modernist architecture. We gained insight from Dieter Demey about his photographic approach, his fascination with minimalism, and how infrared photography continues to redefine architectural storytelling.
Could you share some background about yourself or your practice?
Dieter Demey: I am a photographer and artist working on various personal and artistic projects, while occasionally collaborating with clients. Architecture photography is my specialty, and over the years I have created several photo series documenting modernist buildings. My goal is to achieve a minimalist aesthetic by focusing on architectural details and unique characteristics, interpreting them through my own visual language. Working primarily in black and white helps create the atmosphere and emotional quality I am looking for.
Could you walk us through your design process and how you approached the project?
Dieter Demey: This project did not follow a traditional design process. Instead, it evolved through personal exploration and experimentation while photographing Brasília’s architecture.
What were the main challenges during the project, and how did you resolve them?
Dieter Demey: There were no specific technical or project-related challenges beyond the creative process itself.
What do you consider the most distinctive or innovative aspect of the project?
Dieter Demey: I have been experimenting with infrared photography for some time as a way to present architecture differently from how we normally see it. The technique emphasizes contrast, reflections, and dramatic skies, resulting in a completely new perspective on familiar buildings.
Which outcomes of the project are you most proud of, and why?
Dieter Demey: I believe the completed series presents the architecture of Brasília in a fresh and distinctive way while still respecting the original vision of the architects.
What inspires your work, and who or what has had the strongest influence on your approach within your discipline?
Dieter Demey: My inspiration comes from photographers working across different disciplines. Minimalist landscape photographers such as Michael Kenna, street photographers known for strong contrast, and black-and-white architectural photographers like Ezra Stoller and Bernd & Hilla Becher have all influenced my work. I also draw inspiration from visionary architects including Le Corbusier and Oscar Niemeyer.
What does receiving an Architecture MasterPrize mean to you, and how do you see it influencing your future work or practice?
Dieter Demey: I am grateful for the recognition of my work. Receiving the award motivates me to continue growing as a photographer and to keep developing my personal projects.
With Brutal Brasília, Dieter Demey showcases that even some of the world’s most photographed buildings can reveal entirely new stories through experimentation and artistic vision. By combining minimalist composition with infrared photography, his Architecture Photography MasterPrize-winning series offers a fresh interpretation of Brasília’s iconic modernist architecture while remaining true to its original spirit.
We thank Dieter Demey for sharing the creative process behind Brutal Brasília and offering insight into how photography can transform the way we experience architecture.