Friday, 29 October 2010
Thursday, 28 October 2010
Emma Bridgewater: Celebrating 25 Years. By Josie La Torre
Emma Bridgewater is the infamous pottery designer, best known for her quirky and cute designs found on teapots, mugs, cups, cuttlery and many other household items.
This year, Emma Bridgewater celebrates 25 years in the business. Her outlet store and factory is one of the main attractions found in Stoke- On- Trent and is located along Caldon Canal.
Myself, Hilary and Jess came across the factory whilst walking along the grim canal. It was exciting to discover the factory as i had researched it before coming to Stoke. We had spent an hour or so walking down the depressing canal and the sights around us weren't very appealing as all we could see was desolate land and industrial areas. However, discovering the factory sparked inspirational enthusiasm.
The factory was full of pretty, delicate potteries. They all followed Bridgewater's infamous designs of spots, stars, words and even union jack themed products.
The factory had a well structured layout consisting of a gift shop, cafe, display etc. We initially walked into the 'firsts' gift shop. This is a gift shop full of original Bridgewater products, all tested and approved ready to sell at retail price. However, as we walked throughout the factory we soon came to the 'seconds' gift shop. If a product has so much as a scratch on it, it ends up in this large warehouse reduced to an outlet price ready to sell.
The factory has pretty displays layed out throughout the different rooms. All displays are set out perfectly and you couldn't help but admire the idyllic view and appreciate the creative designs.
Everything in the factory is for sale whether it be a first or a second product. All products were lovely to look at and there were lots of different designs to take in.
The 'seconds' gift shop is full of worthy products still but at cheaper prices!
The Factory fits in nicely with the area of Stoke- on- Trent as it conforms with the ceramic appeal Stoke prides itself on. The Emma Bridgewater Factory takes a fresh, funky twist on ceramics bringing charater and life to Stoke- on- Trent. It's a great attraction for Bridgewater lovers/ fans and also people who love ceramics.
P.S... They even wrap products for you!
Trivial landscapes and Colourful people
Although trivial to the vast amount of times students go out drinking, getting drunk and waking up in the morning in shameful regret, the one thing that will be the most memorable is the welcome to Stoke On Trent.
Harry Tyas, who helped to welcome some of us (myself, john downes, andy hussey and dan jocelyn) into the student way of life in Stoke, has really helped for some of the portraiture which I am now showing.
The people in Stoke, such as Sean and Charlie for example, were lovely people and the surrounding environment was a great photo opportunity.
Derelict, grey-toned buildings with some interesting grey-toned public were enough to depress any photographer but on the other hand there was some colour in people's personalities thus helping to steer away from the bleakness.
Although some things were unplanned and not entirely what one expected we should all be grateful for being thrown into such an interesting situation!
The images shown are some indication to the first of two nights spent in Stoke.
Window View
Harry Tyas's living room
Harry Tyas's fellow student Housemates a tad shocked by the sudden burst of flash
First impressions after pints and burgers
Charlotte Mitchell aka Charlie trying on my sunglasses
Harry Tyas, what a beautiful little man
Harry's housemate nicknamed 'Mule', I think.....
He's holding a toy gun by the way
The Pottery Museum
Probably one of my most interesting subjects, titled 'Anabolic Steroids'.
Really nice guy however angry I've seemed to portray him.
John Downes after waking up from the night of little sleep, too many beers and a day of trying to shoot the ridiculous amount of 400 photo's.
Andy in the morning light after first night stoke rituals
I decided to show this as it's a representation of the view of the photographer, me (obviously) along with just a very few of the people I met during my stay in Stoke, Sean (middle) and my subject from the 'anabolic steroids' photo.
Staffordshire University Brief. Final Four Images. By Josie La Torre
Portrait:
Sir Stanley Matthews proudly standing in the centre of Hanley
Landscape:
A peaceful sight in Hanley Park
Local News Image:
Standing in the cold outside Hanley's Potteries Shopping Centre, raising money for Midland Air Ambulances
Documentary:
An vendor in Hanley town centre making and selling infamous Stoke- On- Trent oatcakes
Dulled Optimism - Alexandra Collins
The intention of this brief was to locate me in a foreign place within my home country. I am fortunate enough to have travelled extensively but never have I felt more of a foreigner than I did in Stoke-on-Trent. This is my story...
My room, the prison cell
Cold outside
Feel like an alien
Guarding us?
Anonymity
Cold and bleak
One man and his bikes
Lady of the North
Where is she?
Weary
Back in the cell
Cold Comfort Hotel
Escape
Back home.
Wednesday, 27 October 2010
A short story of Stoke: Andy Hussey
Its a visual timeline of the experience of the visit which I feel shows some of the more interesting highlights.
Documentary Image 004 of Assignment
When I was walking around Hanley I found that it had some intresting and powerful urbanscapes I also noticed as I was waking around that it was quite a hilly place and as you approached the tops of the roads you were sometimes met with beautiful views although sometimes muffled by city buildings. This is why I choose this image as I feel it depicts the line between the city meeting the surrounding area and the general feel that I got from walking around Stoke.
Tuesday, 26 October 2010
Monday, 25 October 2010
Stoke-On-Trent- A Foreign Place.- Jessica-Jo Bown. S0911376.
Hanley
"Elderly Resident"
Hanley is seen as the primary commercial centre in the city, making it for me as a photographer the first place to investigate when documenting the area and its people. This woman stood out to me when exploring Hanley, possibly because the town was so grey and dull and she added a much needed touch of colour and warmth.
Hanley
"Newspaper Booth"
A juxtaposition to the warm old lady I had seen only ten minutes before, this grumpy character looked cold and miserable in her small newspaper booth. Her persona was something I became used to in Stoke as a whole. The people were not outwardly friendly to me, something even harder to encourage with a camera around your neck.
Hanley
"A Different View"
When looking beyond the towns people and actually taking in the landscape I found it very interesting. The red brick buildings scattered around me, the clouds in the sky and the red leaves on the trees announcing that Autumn had arrived. Here Stoke almost looks modern and cheerful, shedding any resemblance to the run down town centre I had seen.
Gladstone Pottery Museum
"Bottle Kilns"
Here we can see some of the surviving bottle kilns. These represent a rich history for Stoke, something they are very proud of. For Stoke gave birth to pottery greats such as Royal Dalton and Wedgwood. These kilns can be seen scattered all over Stokes landscape providing us with an insight into an industry that once was.
All this aside, I found the red brick and the unique shapes very beautiful and almost timeless.
The Trentham Estate
"Canoeing In Trentham"
Trentham for me was the first place in Stoke that really inspired me. My mood improved almost instantly as friendly faces passed me on the beautiful nature trails that surround the lake there, something I wasn't expecting after Hanley's reaction to me. The elderly people particularly smiled, said good morning to me and made me feel welcome for the first time.
Here 6 pensioners chatted away loudly as they rowed. The gentleman on the back retorts
"You wait until next week when your at the back and you wont be laughing then!"
As the 4 women laugh in tune together.
The Trentham Estate
"Change of Light"
As I wandered through the estate the light started to change again, and here we can see what I feel as an individual visiting Stoke- almost a metaphor for the city. The area is rich in culture, whether that is easy to see or not- it can be found. Yet somehow the people of Stoke themselves don't appear to see this. Their influence on me, and the landscape that surrounded me left me feeling overall sad and lonely. How could such a bleak town be surrounded by such beauty?
Here this landscape captures my emotions. Its beauty is there but is almost hidden behind the clouds and grey tones.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)