Through the Lens: Aida Ali Bakri’s Immersive Ode to Fred Herzog and Analog Photography
Reviving the Art of the Street at Brick Lane’s Old Boiler House
Aida Ali Bakri, an emerging talent hailing from Malaysia and an Interior Architecture graduate of the University of Westminster, aims to bridge continents, generations, and artforms. In her final thesis project, ‘Through The Lens’, Aida invites us into an evocative blend of place and narrative, reimagining the iconic Old Boiler House on Brick Lane, London, as a living, breathing tribute to renowned street photographer Fred Herzog. With the hope of launching her professional journey in Kuala Lumpur, this project is both a capstone for her academic chapter and a statement of her design ethos: a belief in architecture as an experience that celebrates craft, history, and the stories embedded within our urban environments.
Industrial Heritage Meets Visual Storytelling
The Old Boiler House, with its exposed brickwork, lofty volumes, and unapologetically utilitarian charm, might at first appear a far cry from the sleek, white-walled galleries typical of most photographic exhibitions. Yet for Aida, this storied, industrial backdrop amplifies rather than undermines the potency of Herzog’s imagery. Known for capturing the grit, colour, and chaos of urban street life, Herzog’s photographs find a fitting companion in a venue whose own walls have witnessed the pulse of city existence. The tall chimney and timeworn textures act as an extension of the images themselves—a backdrop grounded in the same realities that Herzog sought to immortalise.
Aida’s selection of this site is no accident. She draws a deliberate parallel between the analog spirit of both building and photography: each speaks to an era defined less by seamless polish and more by tangible materials, manual processes, and a hands-on ethos. The exhibition, therefore, becomes not just a display of visual work, but an experiential space that engages all senses and ignites curiosity about the mechanics behind both photo and place.
Designing with the Mechanics of the Lens in Mind
Perhaps the most innovative element in ‘Through The Lens’ lies in Aida’s reinterpretation of how photographs are displayed. Eschewing the traditional frame and print, she took a cue from the very tool that defined Herzog’s practice: the film camera. Visitors encounter Herzog’s greatest works projected not onto static walls, but onto a series of suspended, translucent film rolls. Each film roll, swaying gently with the currents of visitor movement, captures and diffuses colour—transforming the raw space into an immersive, ever-changing lightbox.
This approach does more than simply display art; it envelops viewers in the act of seeing, echoing the very process by which Herzog shot his iconic candids. The photographs—projected luminous and vibrant—spill across brick surfaces and float in the air, allowing guests to physically navigate between, beneath, and around the images. This active engagement encourages reflection on the transience of urban moments and the tactile nature of analog photography.
A Working Darkroom: Relighting the Passion for Process
To further root the exhibition in the tangible tradition of film, Aida introduces a fully operational darkroom at the heart of her design. Here, visitors—many of whom may have grown up amid a digital deluge—are invited to rediscover the anticipation, uncertainty, and hands-on skill involved in developing film. This is not an exercise in nostalgia, but an invitation to participate; visitors don gloves, handle reels in dim red light, and witness images materialize slowly in developer trays.
This functional darkroom is more than a nod to history; it’s a deliberate rebuttal to the frictionless perfection of digital image-making. By offering guests the chance to ‘get their hands wet’, Aida’s design fosters an appreciation for the slow, imperfect, and deeply satisfying craft that underpins traditional street photography. For aspiring photographers and casual viewers alike, this tactile experience connects the dots between image, maker, and medium.
Engaging the Next Generation: Inspiration Through Interaction
Aida is keenly aware that Herzog’s vibrant, humane vision of the street is at risk of being forgotten by generations reared on smartphones and instantaneous filters. The main goal of ‘Through The Lens’ is thus clear: to reignite a love – or at least a healthy curiosity – for film photography among the digitally native. The exhibition is peppered with opportunities to engage: interactive installations, pop-up photowalks inspired by Herzog’s routes, and live demonstrations of analog techniques. These thoughtful touches position the project squarely at the intersection of education and inspiration, ensuring visitors don’t just see art but understand the labor, risk, and serendipity that gave rise to it.
Connecting with Aida Ali Bakri
Now seeking new professional opportunities in Kuala Lumpur’s dynamic architecture and design scene, Aida has demonstrated a rare sensibility: a talent for crafting narrative-rich environments that both honour history and speak powerfully to the present. Her approach in ‘Through The Lens’—melding site specificity, interactive engagement, and homage to craft—signals a designer attuned to the cultural and emotional dimensions of space.
For those interested in collaborating, learning more about this project, or simply following her journey, Aida welcomes new connections. Reach out via LinkedIn, follow her creative explorations on Instagram @workingtill.am, or send a direct enquiry to aidamaisarah.ab@gmail.com.
Through her visionary thesis, Aida Ali Bakri reminds us that it is in the interplay between past and present, grit and colour, craft and creativity, that truly memorable spaces—and stories—are born.
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