Project development for this module so far has been a little slower than anticipated. It has mainly consisted of getting to know how to shoot with a large format camera and how to process the film with equipment I have access to, progress has been kept in my weekly updates found in ‘coursework’ tab. Following my feedback from my project proposal which can be found here. I thought I really needed to strip back the reasons why I was intrigued with this subject of airfields.
- Infrastructure that still stands because represented in its form is the past and present. Its past being WW2, a lasting token to apiece of history that I can still touch and investigate. The architecture how shapes/texture are consistently placed that are recognisable from place to place. How the infrastructure sits in its current landscape, its purpose or lack of.
- Airfield infrastructure, how it changes the landscape, still visible even if most of landscape has been regenerated.
- The consequences of war how it has changed the landscape, site depending this may have improved living conditions for locals such as utilities or just a dilapidated eye sore left to crumble into the ground.
- Should we celebrate and commemorate the war efforts from WW2 this being represented in these physical buildings, could they be saved and turned into a monument for futures to see.
- Creating a digital record of the landscape (for 2018/2019)
How do I take all of these factors and transform this visually to an audience? Obviously this something I have been working towards this MA but thought it was important to recap for myself.
My favourite types of buildings that are consistently seen in NI airfields are control towers. I think there are about 8 in total either ruined, regenerated for same use or even 1 has been turned into a dwelling. I think I will turn my attentions to individual buildings, first being a control tower and the second aircraft hangars and concentrate on the aesthetics in shape and form and maybe repetition.
Critical Research Journal 