To start our project, we were asked to present a book on the numerous areas in london, formatted in images. The aim of this exercise was to make an exposition of our own unique visual styles in a collaborative way. I found the diversity and character of London to be part of what made this task so compelling, and my group’s contribution to the book was on the culturally historic area of Brixton.
One particular area of interest in Brixton is its iconic market. Upon arrival, I found myself absorbed by the vibrancy and vitality of the place: the colours; the cultures; the atmosphere. Out of all the scenes and images I captured, I found myself especially drawn to the snapshot of the fruit being placed on display at the market. The contrasting of the block colours, combined with the banal nature of the subject made an impression on me, and I find it interesting how such strength of pattern and composition can come across from something so simple that is readily available to anyone who would look for it. This became a common theme throughout our visit, as the photo I took of a unisex toilet was chosen to be on the cover of our book. Clearly this is a common point of interest, as something as mundane as a toilet can communicate the character and highlight the urban aesthetic of a city so holistically. I was drawn to this sight due to personal interest in having not seen a unisex toilet out in the open before - this is testament to how the everyday can become something more when observing it through a certain lens, as with the fruit. From a socio-political perspective, this image is significant as it illustrates societal progression when it comes to identity politics. In an area such as Brixton, which in the past has had a somewhat negative reputation in terms of crime, the omnipresence of social progress is a microcosm of society and London as a whole, where gender and identity is becoming a better acknowledged issue and physical manifestations of this are popping up even in these such areas.
