Within this weeks work we are looking at the role of space and place in terms of showcasing work and engaging with the viewer.

For me the concept of producing work destined for a gallery isn’t something I relish. My practice is ever evolving, but the fundamentals remain. I want my work to instill a reaction in the viewer that makes them feel they are part of the frame. Producing living works that bring subjects to life and make the viewer feel they are actually at the spot the image was captured.

To expand on this, I see my main practice – that of Conservation Photography – to be in need of showcasing such images in ways that aid with this approach.

A gallery – in the sense of a formal arts exhibition house – is not a location I can see this working.

The project that I intend to carry through the full course of my MA and one that will form my main research project is the story of the river Otter.

A river is traditionally seen as a great connector, one that brings an unfathomable collection of mini worlds together during its journey from source to sea. Providing life and influencing all around it, the river’s ability to connect is the journey I wish to explore through my practice.

The exhibition of such works will need to fit in with this connective journey. My proposal is to explore the concepts of a living exhibition of the works from this project. This would involve exhibiting work along the full length of the river.

Images would be displayed at key locations, all showing various mini worlds of life that occur around these locations. For example you could stand on the river bank and look at an image of the fish swimming around in a pool just below you.

The use of Quick Response codes (QR) could be used to introduce online galleries and video exhibitions. These can be scanned by a smart phone and take the viewer to an online exhibition site of images and video – all taken from the location of that QR plate.

The benefit of QR is being able to expand the exhibition media into video as well as film. This would allow for the conservation element to be made more apparent though the use of visual aids.

However the use of actual images along the river is considered more visually stimulating.

One of my main aims is the use of this work to be educational for all ages, so images that are appealing to all age groups and backgrounds are essential. The selection of these images will prove challenging as the course of my MA unfolds.

Additional exhibitions are now also being considered:

1 The use of media projectors to project work live onto the landscape. This would cover a range of themes and be offered as a public exhibition event. Both stills and video would be considered as would the use of music that takes the viewers along the rivers journey.

2 The exploration of popup exhibitions along the rivers path using urban areas, towns, village halls, pubs, sites of scientific and historical interest and agricultural sites. The aim here would be to create a connection between all locations and encourage people out on the journey to the river. Each exhibition would be tailored to a theme that fit with either a local link to the river Otter, or to challenge conservation conceptions.

With all these considerations there is a need to develop collaborative links with a range of communities, organisations and providers to assist in this plan.

It is hoped that through this collaborative process, other exhibition concepts can be born.