Here firstly a summary of the project with some background references:
'Unfrastructure' developed somewhat innocently as an aesthetic and positive image making drive after being photographically inactive for some time.
All photos © Julia Horbaschk
After several journeys through the city I decided to delve deeper into an idea that has been in my mind for some time. In my everyday commute to work I have been observing the deteriorating infrastructure on road and roadsides. But also the current political climate and the cuts the country is awaiting suggest that some of these issues may increase unless something changes.
E.g. large potholes, broken trees, cracked walls and missing pipes. In my Photography MA I had already started thinking about how we can affect change without realising that I had just done it (although on a very small scale): It was due to a picture I took of a large pothole by Churchill Square in Brighton that the Highway Maintenance team repaired it within 24 hours.
I started thinking about cycling and town planning more critically, looking at cycle lanes in Brighton&Hove and their effects. The result was a small study along Marine Parade and occasional other snapshots around town.
Without entering the discussion for or against cyclists in town, there seemes to be a planning issue on the ground.
Cycle lanes in surreal places, cycle lanes as short as 2 metres and NO cycle lanes makes it difficult for cyclists, pedestrians and cars alike to use the roads in harmony. In financially difficult times, bicycles are on the increase, demanding better facilities and better infrastructure.
Having interviewed a few cyclists, one could say the common sense of the public prevails that of the planning team. On the positive side efforts are made by the town to increase access for cyclists with more bike racks and added lanes, yet there seems to be no evaluation of the changes implemented?
The aging infrastructure of towns like Brighton also don't necessarily allow for the much needed improvements.
In his Metropoli project John Davies (2008) observes: "A theme that has became increasingly important is to question as well as celebrate our collective responsibility in shaping the environments in which we live."
I then started observing some environmental issues in the city. Having looked at Stuart Franklin's work for many years there seems to be a real opportunity for environmental photography in the city. The difference to nature photography Frankin notes lies in "attending to the human presence as a part of, and impacting upon, the natural world it sets out to present a more realistic view of Planet Earth dominated, as it is, by us."
Views of trees cemented into the ground, crippled trees and the neglect of public greens bring to mind the impact we, as citizens, have as well as testifying to an aging infrastructure.
All photos © Julia Horbaschk
Those two aspects, urban infrastructural issues and environmental neglect in the city seem to be the common denominator in my image making and it is those which shape 'Unfrastructure' at this stage. Road 2 to follow...
References:
www.johndavies.uk.com/metropoli.htm
http://blog.magnumphotos.com/stuart_franklin.html
www.stuartfranklin.com
