MAIER
PHOTOGRAPHY, ARTS & ARCHITECTURE BY JONATHAN MAIER
Jonathan Maier is a San Diego-based architect working on ongoing urban, social and environmental projects in the San Diego–Tijuana border region. His professional career has allowed him to focus and expand his knowledge on conceptual design, post-digital architecture, graphic design and social documentary photography. On a personal level, he is most passionate about travel photography, which has enabled him to explore a wide range of photography subgenres, from nature-based styles to architecture, street and event photography.
TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY
“Whenever I find myself traveling, I feel the urge to capture everything that I see; everything that feels alive, pulsating, from the most familiar things to the most unusual, exotic ones. Every subject and every object has a specific history, a history that deserves to be told.”
SOCIAL PHOTOGRAPHY
“Working in the San Diego–Tijuana border region has allowed me to experience social injustices firsthand. The contrast between these two adjacent cities, separated by one of the most surveilled border walls worldwide, is abysmal, but somehow it's mysteriously blurred by the amount of people that commute on a daily basis in search for what the other side has to offer. The contrast is nevertheless there, omnipresent, reminding us that the wound that we humans inflict is profound and rooted to our collective nature.”
EVENT PHOTOGRAPHY
“Performing arts are a medium to free our bodies, minds and souls. They are fundamental to our societies, as they help us shape our collective memory. Through them, we can express our feelings and tell a story, and even mobilize communities for a cause. Capturing these moments as they unfold helps me bond with the artist, whether it's through sorrow or joy, and that's worth the shot.”
ARCHITECTURE
“The world is facing unprecedented challenges derived from geopolitical instability, warfare, economic inequality and climate change. Millions of people are desperately forced to migrate in search of better living conditions. Within this context, architecture has the responsibility of responding to the needs of displaced populations and communities affected by conflicts, socioeconomic disparities and natural disasters, through architectural solutions that prioritize inclusive spaces and integrate sustainable design principles that promote social cohesion, social justice, resilience and adaptation. Architects play a crucial role in society and must engage in advocacy, activism and politics to cooperatively reimagine the ways we address these complex interdisciplinary challenges.”
ARTS
“Experimenting with different art mediums and techniques since my early childhood has allowed me to explore my artistic creativity and push the boundaries of what I’m capable of. As much of a perfectionist as I am, I’m most grateful for having learned how to put an end to an art piece that could endlessly evolve into something else.”