The Modernist Society plans to unveil new title ‘Quiet Light’ at an event in its Manchester base on 26 June. The new volume, from photographer Gunner Gu, marks the conclusion of a project first conceived way back in 2015. Examining Manchester in the serene emptiness of the early morning, Gu’s collection of over 100 photographs of local landmarks aims to share the silent beauty of an uninhabited city.
First conceived in 2015, ‘Quiet Light’ offers a fresh opportunity to uncover Manchester in a way nobody has been able to capture before – uninhabited, without the hustle and bustle, commuters, and trains, we all know and love. Bringing striking photographs of iconic landmarks like the Toast Rack and the Renold Building, alongside some lesser-known gems such as the Guardian Underground Telephone Exchange.
Before 2020 and the seemingly never-ending series of lockdowns, Gu found himself constrained by the buzz and activity of Manchester’s daily life – unable to capture the city in its picturesque natural state. But the near complete transformation towards home working, he was presented with the window of a lifetime these past few years to capture Manchester in a way few architectural photographers could only dream of.
Slated for a June publication date, ‘Quiet Light’ features over 100 entries, most of which were largely photographed following the various national lockdowns after 2020. Offering a historical ode to Manchester’s cityscape, the volume also harks back to a time in the not-so-distant past when our streets and office buildings sat silent and empty.
Gunner Gu is an acclaimed architectural photographer and filmmaker whose work has been featured in leading publications across four continents. Having lived and worked in various parts of the UK, Gu found himself continually drawn back to Manchester.
Inspired by the birth of his first daughter, Gu committed to photography full-time only eight short years ago. With this new title, he hopes to convey a growing sense of maturity that comes with fatherhood and a deep appreciation for the city that’s come to define much of his adult life.
Jack Hale, co-founder of the Modernist Society, says: “As a big fan of architectural photography, and a long-time resident of Manchester, it’s a real privilege for us at the Modernist Society to help Gu offer this new way for people to interact with our city.”
Quiet Light achieves what few titles have before, capturing a city without people, and without the noise of our daily lives. Gu’s series of photographs reveal the character of Manchester through not only its cityscape, but its mixture of architectural styles, all viewed in the stillness of dawn.
Gu, the photographer behind the new title, concludes: “It can be easy for the beauty and history of Manchester to get lost amid the busyness of day-to-day life. Having had the idea for this project in my head for the better part of ten years, it’s an honour to be able to show people what this city can look like without any inhabitants. What it can look and feel like is something I had to share.”
“I hope people will view the city through a different lens as a result.”
Quiet Light is currently available for the pre-publication price of £35.00 and due for publication towards the end of June 2025.
See The Modernist Society here for more information.
