Chronotopia
Chronotopia is a photographic project, working with artists, craftspeople and makers in Suffolk and forms the basis of the final major project for my MA in Documentary Photoghraphy.
Chronotopia combines the Greek words chronos (time) and topos (place) and refers to the concept of spaces and places as they exist within particular times or eras. The worshop for each creative includes tools and skills that have been passed on for generations and yet operating within a contemporary environment. I am working with up to 20 artists, artisans and craftspeople and the work will form the final project for my MA in Documentary Photography at University of the Arts, London.
The project will consist of three parts: portraits, workshop images, and craft images from each of the makers:
Portraits: The portraits will all be taken at the threshold to the studio or workshop, capturing a blend of the individual and their environment, reflecting both personal identity and creative context.
The portraits will be printed as photogravure. Photogravure is an intaglio printmaking process that combines photography and traditional etching. Developed in the 19th century, it involves transferring a photographic image onto a metal plate, which is pressed onto paper, producing a high-quality, continuous-tone print. Photogravure is renowned for its ability to render images with exceptional fidelity and texture.
Workshop Images: An artist studio embodies a unique, transformative space where ordinary rules are suspended. Within its walls, reality is reshaped by creativity. This dynamic environment, filled with diverse tools and materials, bridges the mundane and the fantastical, enabling the artist to create and explore alternate possibilities.
These images will be printed in colour and will accompany a dissertation on the relevance and importance of the studio and process that have been used and passed on across generations of craftspeople.
Craft Images: Images of the creative output capturing the essence of skill, dedication, and tradition. These images reveal the intricate processes and meticulous craftsmanship behind handmade objects, highlighting the artisans' expertise and creative expression.
Below are examples of the initial participants in the project.
