The Art of The State: Richard Ross' 'The Architecture of Authority'

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RICHARD ROSS HAS photographed some of the world's most beautiful spaces, has made light a tangible subject, has peered into the faces of soldiers and gang members, and into the stolid emptiness of bomb shelters. This eclectic artist with the searching mind now turns his lens on "The Architecture of Authority," still, sterile or imposing places in which we the people are at a disadvantage, whether it's a Montessori school, Secret Service headquarters or even, wittily, an art gallery. The show is on display at the National Building Museum through Aug. 16.

» EXPRESS: How did you come to the subject?
» ROSS: I have no idea. It's sort of like, ideas fall into place at some point in your life. I studied international relations and political science, and I didn't want to do another series of beautiful photographs that were going to seduce.

» EXPRESS: What tripped the trigger?
» ROSS: I started out with going to a confessional in Santa Barbara and seeing the size of it, and then through a friend going down and looking at the robbery homicide interview room at Parker Center [the Los Angeles Police Department headquarters] and I realized the two were exactly the same size. ... It's like, "Let's get in this very intimate space and you tell me a secret and I'll tell you a secret, and that will make it all better."

» EXPRESS: So, you're making us aware that we are in authoritative spaces more often than we realize. Even a confession booth …
» ROSS: Or going to the DMV. Most people haven't been at, you know, the most heavy-duty sites of authority; the ones we only see on cop shows. That was actually part of the show, but didn't end up getting in — all the interrogation spaces used in "Cold Case" and "Law and Order."

» EXPRESS: Do they look like the real thing?
» ROSS: Oh, they are the real thing. There's no other reality for us.

» EXPRESS: Do you arrange the spaces?
» ROSS: Never. I am incredibly diligent about not manicuring a photograph. Ridiculously so.

» EXPRESS: What would you like people to come away with from this show?
» ROSS: I just hope that you walk into a space and you are more aware of what's required and requested of you, and you're a more alert participant in your life.

» National Building Museum, 401 F St. NW; through Aug. 16; 202-272-2448. (Judiciary Square)

Photo courtesy National Building Museum