Thursday, 28 October 2010

Dulled Optimism - Alexandra Collins


On arriving at the North Stafford Hotel and confronting my bleak room, which some how represented a prison cell. This dulled my characteristic optimism. However, sun was streaming into the room the next day, which boosted my confidence to face the streets of Stoke-on-Trent with my camera. One of my first detailed observations were the heavily protected CCTV cameras; I thought they were supposed to protect us? I did have an overall cold and cautious feeling about the city after having read negative statistics and being harassed and followed the day before by a number of individuals. This experience forced me to change my tactics on how I portrayed the city and I focused on city-scapes combined with anonymous figures in the street.

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.













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