The second observation a lecture by Liz Wells

16.01.2014
13:00-15:00

Department of Media / Photography ( Aalto University )

The second observation a lecture by Liz Wells, writer and curator from UK, gave a very interesting insight into the way curators organise themed exhibitions and choose artwork. Wells analysed the exhibition by Bozar Expo, called 'Sense of Place, European Landscape Photography', from the cultural, political and artist point of view. ( Bozar, Brussels, 2012)

“Sense of Place looks at our relationship with the environment in the context of European photography. Presenting some 160 works by 40 photographers from every member country of the European Union, the exhibition demonstrates the diversity of the European landscape. Divided into three major geographical regions - northern, central, and Mediterranean Europe - the works show how the natural environment has helped to shape identities. The photographers show that Europe is not just a political zone, but also a place with personal meanings for every individual”. (Bozar Expo, European Landscape Photography: Sense of Place, date of retrieval 20.04.2014)

This was a very fascinating collection and it raised some interesting questions from students. For example Latvian student was unhappy that Alexander Gronsky (Estonian- Russian photographer) was representing Latvia. It is interesting how the sense of identity and politics is very much present in this context and the curator was explaining how they have to make decisions based on the response from artists and also judging the quality of work. The nationality of the artist was not so crucial in this context but how their body of work was linked to the country they were representing. This discussion did not seem welcome by other students who were mostly silent and perhaps avoiding overly nationalist and political nature of the question.

Some of the photographers that were discussed in the lecture were :

Jeff Wall

Martin Parr

Hellen Enis -- Australian photo historian 

Stephen Daniels 

Stuart Hall 

David A. Bailey 

Carl  De Keyzer 

Jem Southam 

Bart Michels

Gina Glover 

Anthony Haughey

Jan Eric Lunstrom 

Elina Brotherus 

Gerr y Johansson 

Per Bak Jensen 

Alexander Gronsky

Olafur Eliasson 

Flo Kasearu 

Arturas Raila 

Ilkka Halso 

Ivaylo Ditchew 

Andreas Gursky 

Vasselina Nikolaeva 

Thomas Weinberger 

Andreas Muller 

Tudor Prisacariu

Sandra Krizic Roban -- Croatian writer 

Kudasz Gabor Arion 

Maros Krivy 

Yenny Huiber

Peter Kostrum

Pavel Banka 

Pedro Cabrita Reis 

Augusto Alves da Silva

Chrystel Lebas 

Celine Clanet 

Gerardo Custance 

Nigel Baldacchino 

Marianna Christofides 

Theodoros Tempos 

Irene Kung 

Nicos Philippou

Massimo Vitali


I was very much inspired by this lecture to use the content in few of my teaching lessons. For example I created a lesson plan for a photography class in Scotland that was part of the Global Education course that can be found here :

https://drive.google.com/#folders/0B-hCn_983CnuYV85WVdjQ25hcW8

I used the materials from a book called Land Matters, Landscape Photography, Culture and Identity ( 2011). by Liz Wells.

References :

Wells, L., (2011) Land Matters : Landscape Photography, Culture and Identity, I.B. Tauris, London 

Bozar Expo, European Landscape Photography: Sense of Place. Date of retrieval 20.04.2014

http://www.bozar.be/activity.php?id=11616&lng=en)