Agra, India.
–Perfection
Architectural designer Lahauri uses a labor force of over 20,000 workers, with building materials transported by over a 1,000 elephants. The construction takes 17 years to complete. The complex is built as a love homage by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Shortly after completion, the Shah is imprisoned for years by his “flesh and blood” political adversaries. From his prison, he has a (deliberately arranged) tangential view of his creation.