Strategies of Looking
My approach for this activity was to take inspiration from Ed Ruscha’s Twentysix Gasoline Stations. I started with a subject matter that I physically passed daily on logistical routes through Co. Antrim. Like Ruscha I wanted it to be man-made, taken for granted, but then perhaps on closer inspection could be seen as interesting. This led me to catalogue and record Twelve Roundabouts in Co Antrim. Passing through busy towns on a daily basis I never quite gave a second thought to roundabouts, I know what they look like- round and I know their purpose-ensuring traffic flows smoothly in one direction. On closer inspection to my surprise, these roundabouts are actually well-manicured landscapes on little islands. This made me question who would go to all the trouble of maintaining them? Then I realised each roundabout is sponsored by a company and that company gets to advertise on the roundabout, ironically the signage is no bigger than a A4 sheet (features in some of my images).
I chose to frame the roundabouts with plenty of landscape in the foreground and background, to give as much detail into their surroundings and general function. Like Ruscha I have recorded an object that represents itself in the area that it is used. However I think if these images were to be viewed let’s say 20 years from now, not only would it be representing itself but a capsule of time, an era. By viewing these images at a later date, I think instantly makes them more interesting. It gives the details of the image historical discourse, especially with the roundabout and its use of political and religious symbolism. I think that’s why I like Ruscha’s work no matter how mundane the subject is, it offers a glimpse into the past. Final product would have been presented in a book but for cost and convenience I used a binder for the activity. I chose to have a more modern title of just the GPS coordinates to give the exact location of each roundabout.
This week’s presentations…….
This week’s presentations have focused on Rephotography and Repeat Photography both I found quite interesting. Which in some instances I could relate to my current practice and has given me some ideas for strategies that I should explore and consider. Such as practitioner Toshiya Watanabe (Repeat Photography) how he captures the passing of time and the decay on landscapes. This could be an interesting element to add to my own practice, but I don’t think I would have the time necessary to create an archive like that, maybe future project revisited in years to come. Considering Rephotography in my practice is important, I could learn so much from archived images and aerial photos. I need to make more of an effort in getting in touch with the Air Historical Branch and using some of these resources I have to hand. Maybe with going forward with my project I need to look at existing photographs and archives.
Just a quick recap my practice situates its location within Northern Ireland and its 29 airfield sites used during WW1&WW2. The methodologies I have employed so far is one of objective perspective but from my conclusion of module 2 I need to find a balance between objectivity and aesthetics to appeal to a wider audience. I need to investigate a certain style that I wish to give to this body of work, that will represent and celebrate these airfield sites.
Critical Research Journal 