The story of Milo Keller, a figure whose passion for photography and innovative educational philosophy left an indelible mark on the art world, is one of profound dedication and an unwavering belief in potential. Keller, who departed in December 2025, transformed the photography department at ECAL (University of Art and Design Lausanne, Switzerland) into a hub of rigorous inquiry and creative exploration. His approach, often characterized by the word “hardcore,” was not about harshness, but about pushing boundaries, fostering deep curiosity, and cultivating a commitment to genuine novelty in art. This ethos guided his life and work, shaping a generation of photographers and expanding the horizons of the medium itself.
The Visionary Leadership of Milo Keller at ECAL
Milo Keller, born in 1979 in the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino, Switzerland, cultivated a unique duality in his perspective, influenced by his Swiss-German architect father's rational discipline and his Italian Catholic mother's warmth and openness. This blend of order and intuition became a cornerstone of his photographic work and pedagogical philosophy. He viewed images as "spaces to be resolved," initiating them with architectural precision before deliberately introducing elements of disruption, humor, and sometimes even eroticism, seeking a fragile equilibrium between structure and chaos. This sensibility extended to his engagement with historical sites, such as Olivetti’s abandoned offices in Ivrea, where modernist ideals met the reality of decay.
Keller’s journey with ECAL began as a student, and he returned in 2012 to lead the BA in photography, subsequently establishing the MA Photography program in 2016. In these pivotal roles, he meticulously crafted a demanding yet enabling pedagogical framework. Students were expected to commit from early morning until late afternoon, immersed in a dynamic schedule of classes, workshops, production, and critical evaluations. He instilled fundamental values of technical competence, reliability, and discipline, creating a robust foundation upon which true experimentation could flourish. Within this defined structure, Keller actively encouraged students to embrace uncertainty, accident, and risk, prioritizing temperament and character over mere polish. He integrated cutting-edge tools and methodologies into the curriculum, including photogrammetry, CGI, sculpture, moving image, virtual and augmented reality, and artificial intelligence, ensuring the program remained at the forefront of photographic innovation.
While an identifiable “ECAL style”—characterized by precise, controlled, and highly polished images that bridge advertising, studio art, and documentary—emerged during his tenure, Keller expressed a certain unease with the notion of reducing the institution to a single aesthetic. Nevertheless, this distinct visual language, along with the innovative research programs he championed, forms a significant part of his enduring legacy. His research initiatives, including “Augmented Photography” (2016–17), exploring photography in a post-photographic era, and “Automated Photography” (2019–21), examining the impact of automation on production and authorship, demonstrate his forward-thinking approach. The ongoing “Soft Photography” project delves into the emotional dimensions of AI-generated images, addressing the uncertainties of the future. Across all these endeavors, Keller’s profound optimism, rooted in practice and a steadfast belief in the medium’s boundless potential, served as a powerful catalyst for change and growth.
Milo Keller's profound legacy transcends his photographic works, research contributions, and curated exhibitions. His true impact resonates in the accomplishments of his numerous former students and, more broadly, in what can only be described as his "hardcore optimism." This philosophy was a deep conviction that the art of photography possesses an infinite capacity for evolution and enduring relevance. He believed implicitly that individuals could surpass their own perceived limits, and that every possibility was a call to action. In our rapidly changing world, his optimistic vision, rooted in human potential and the transformative power of art, offers a beacon of inspiration and urgency.