Labour and Love

I liked the title Labour and Love because 'Labour' or 'Love' were considered as reasons why people migrate to a new county in a recent research study by Johanna Leinonen, but asking my sitters 'out of curiosity" or "freedom" for instance are others. Here are some images and quotes of the people I photographed. They are from Slovakia, Bulgaria, Poland and Romania. Most of them now live in Brighton, UK. I published Richard's and Dimitrina's story in Latest7 magazine recently. Read it here (issue 349 and 351, page 10 or 16).

Photography by Julia Horbaschk

Richard, from Slovakia,
Czech and Slovak party
organiser, Kulture Club,
Brighton,December 2007
www.brighton-csparty.com








Mihaela, from Romania,
Trafalger Square, London,
UK, December 2007











Marcin Pachulski+Tomasz Wojdak,
business partners in front of
their Deli shop "Smaki Polski",
St. James Street, Brighton, UK.
December 2007








Dominikol and Mikulsko,
couple from Poland.
Mikulsko came to the
UK 3 years ago and works
at an off license in
North Street, Brighton.
December, 2007







12:30pm Polish Mass, Brighton
@ St Mary Magdalene Church
1st December 2007
marymagdalen.blogspot.com









Dimitrina from Bulgaria,
cafe owner, "Chez Dimitrina",
Brighton, November, 2007










Wojtek, Kinga, Piotr and Daniel
from Poland, rides operators and
rides supervisors, Brighton Pier,
November, 2007
www.brightonpier.co.uk








Polish and Spanish notice
for visitors, Brighton Pier,
November, 2007
www.brightonpier.co.uk














Mihai Chirilov, Romanian film critique, introducing film "Occident", Duke of York cinema, Brighton, 24th November 2007

And some interesting links:

Dimitrina's (Issue 349) and Richard's (Issue 351)
"Welcome" features on: www.latest7.co.uk

Czech/Polish club: http://www.brighton-csparty.com
(watch the little clip top right hand corner-very funny!)

Joseph Rowntree report "East European immigration and community cohesion" by Eugenia Markova and Prof. Richard Black:
www.jrf.org.uk/bookshop/eBooks/2053-immigration-community-cohesion.pdf

Bulgarian internet resources by University of London:
www.ssees.ac.uk/bulgaria.htm#culture

Romanian Cultural Centre:
www.romanianculturalcentre.org.uk

Romanian Cultural Institute: www.icr-london.co.uk

Polish Cultural Institute, London:
www.polishculture.org.uk/in_london.php

St. Mary Magdalen Church, Brighton:
http://marymagdalen.blogspot.com

Brighton Pier, really great site- check it out!
www.brightonpier.co.uk

D. Lange and J. Goldberg as inspiration

I have been looking at Dorothea Lange's book: Photographing the second Gold rush: Dorothea Lange and the Bay Area at war 1941-1945. A fascinating document of migrant workers who came to work on large ship yards in Richmond, USA and the surroundings.

Lately I got aware of the strong Polish community here in Brighton and started documenting them and other migrant groups in the area.




















From top left: Gregor, retail worker, Brighton Pier. Woitec and collegue, Rides supervisors.
Pietr, retail (Fish and Chips), Brighton Pier. Row of chairs, Polish community centre, Hove.
(©Julia Horbaschk)

In the summer season 80% of the Pier employees are Polish. Visiting the Polish church a few weeks ago, however, I realised how large the Polish community in Brighton really is. Brighton has a Polish community center, 3 Polish shops and a Polish night club. Official figures say the Polish community is about 5000 people, unofficially they say it's more like 10000. I am interested in their experience here and what makes them stay.

It is not new for England to have Polish migrants. Many came in the 1940s fleeing the war and possible deportation by German officers. The UK has always been attractive to foreigners but all of a sudden some people feel overwhelmed by the many new immigrants the new EU enlargement has brought to the UK. A new wave of migrants was expected when Bulgaria and Romania have joined the EU this year yet this hasn't happened. The government has put on a work restriction for Bulgarians and Romanians. Rather unfair I would say.

My images try to show the young generation of migrants at work and play. Many of the individuals tell me they do not feel as accepted as their British colleagues yet they are happy to be in the UK as the wages are better and the standard of living is higher. They seem to be caught up between the excitement of their new life and the challenges that life in the UK brings. I feel that some of my images i.e the smiles but crossed arms of Pietr or Woitec show this dilemma.

Back to Lange: Her book features fascinating portraits and deals with the theme 'migration' in a humane way. Here are some of Lange's images (these are copies from the book "Photographing the Second Gold Rush" and not available online as far as I know- here used for educational purpose only- please respect © D. Lange):





















Another more recent project that inspires me is the "New Europeans". It features refugees that have come to Europe from war torn countries such as the Sudan. The work, documented by Jim Goldberg, won the Henry Cartier -Bresson Award this year. The images are less direct then Lange's portrait's they are taken in a subtle yet emotional way. The spacial quality of the images makes me contemplate about the acceptance of migrants. The writing on the images makes me think about the peoples feelings and thoughts. See some of Goldberg's images here (© Jim Goldberg):






















I have been inspired by the two photographers above, yet I am still struggling to make my choices when photographing people. Who should we photograph and why? Are we drawn to some people more then to others? Do the photographers have a method/concept when taking pictures? What do these pictures/portraits mean to a viewer/ an audience? And what do the sitters themselves have to say?

Goldberg, has used Polaroids for people to scribble their thoughts on. Perhaps I can make the peoples thoughts more prominent in some way too. Any suggestions you are welcome to call. j.horbaschk@gmail.com

Links to Dorothea Lange, Jim Goldberg and my own images:

J.Goldberg: http://wirtzgallery.com/exhibitions/2007/2007_10/goldberg_2007_frame.html
D.Lange: (You will need to register with the NY times to access this site- but it's worth it!): http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/06/arts/design/06lang.html?_r=1
Julia Horbaschk: http://picasaweb.google.com/J.Horbaschk/NewEU

MA Photo Blog - New EU

I have been told about Melanie Friend and her book on people from Kosovo, the portraits are gripping the peoples stories made me cry. You can see some of her images here:
http://www.theconnection.org/photogallery/kosovo/default.asp?counter=3



















Above is an example of Melanie Friends photo of a young woman in Neprosteno refugee camp in Macedonia 1999. (© Melanie Friend)

Before D.J. Clark told me about Melanie Friend, I started a photo project that explores the experiences of the new EU immigrant. Those from former communist countries who joined the EU in 2004 or after. I am currently photographing the Polish community in Brighton and I would also like to get in touch with people from the other "New EU" countries. This is the final project on my MA International Photojournalism (www.photoma.org).

My images don't aim to simulate Melanie Friends photographs, however, I am hoping to establish a connection between the sitter and the viewer as Melanie did. My first attempt on the 'New EU' portraits is here:


















The image shows Margaret who has three jobs: one in the Polish community center, one to teach polish and she has her own business. Margaret has been in the Uk for 2 1/4 years. She points out that she always wanted to live in the UK, however, when she finally did it wasn't as she though it will be but she is still happy to be here and intends to stay for a while. To the questions how she mixes with the British community Margaret replies: "Yes, I have plenty of people from different countries around me, not only Eu and English, from all over the world." (Photo © Julia Horbaschk)

With the images I want to try and break the stereotypical view that is created by mainstream media and portray the people from central/eastern Europe in a positive light. I am looking for groups of people that are wrongly judged by stereotypical representation such as "is always unemployed and takes benefits from the local tax payer", and there a plenty.

Many people forget that it is often falsely interpreted statistics or exaggerated opinion that create bad news and not true for many individuals who come from central/eastern Europe with a high working moral and with plenty to contribute to British society.



















This image shows the Polish born Regina and sculptor Robert Koenig with their son Janek. Regina works with Polish school children helping them to integrate into the UK school system. Robert is a Polish born/British sculptor whose work was recently featured on the BBC. His latest sculptures " are carved from Lime trees from the village where his Polish mother was born." For his work go to: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/7015323.stm
(Photo © Julia Horbaschk)

As Britain is well known for its friendly foreign policies I see the project as a contribution to the current debate on immigration and I look forward if you want to join in the process.

If you are or know someone from a "New EU" Country, who lives in the UK and wants to tell his/her story please let me know. And if anyone has references to other photographers that are working on a similar theme, let me know too.

If you want to give your opinion/ write something to do with EU immigration issues feel free. Just remember this project is looking at the positive effects of immigration and only wants constructive criticism.

The 'New EU' theme evolved out of a series of portraits of people living in former East Germany. Images are here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/J.Horbaschk/IssueBasedOneJuliaHorbaschk

Thanks and stay in touch...

Further reading and links:
Magnum Photos: "Euro Visions" Project:
-Mark Power: Poland. For Mark's images click here.
-Martin Parr: Slovenia. For Martins images click here.
-Lise Serfati: Lithuania. For Lise's images click here.
For all images from the "Euro Visions" book/project click here.

-Bruno Barbey: Poland: For Bruno's images click here.

Guardian news on eastern/central European migration:
Polish Voting in the UK, 21 October 2007: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7054880.stm
October 17th 2007: http://www.guardian.co.uk/immigration/story/0,,2192777,00.html
May 23rd 2007: http://www.guardian.co.uk/eu/story/0,,2085994,00.html

Joseph Rowntree Foundation report "East European immigration and community cohesion" is free for download on: http://www.jrf.org.uk/bookshop/details.asp?pubID=896
more reports on the theme: http://www.compas.ox.ac.uk/changingstatus/index.shtml

Click here for speech of Franco Frattini, European Commissioner for Justice, Freedom and Security: “The future of EU migration and integration policy” (23 February 2007).

Melanie Friend: No place like home: Echos from Kosovo, some images from the book:
http://www.theconnection.org/photogallery/kosovo/default.asp?counter=3

For info on MA International Photojournalism please see: www.photoma.org