50 WORD OUTLINE: I want to create a contrast of "old youth" - being a young person in an old city, emphasising the beauty and history of the city and culture whilst highlighting this viewpoint from a young person's identity (eyes) using vibrant colours and lights seen within the popular culture of today.
The theme is have chosen for my photography project is “Old Youth”. when I was ten I moved from London to Edinburgh with my family. Being a teenager growing up in an extremely old city gave me the inspiration for the theme of my project. Edinburgh is full of associations with the past and the majority of buildings are historical - for example Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace. Both Edinburgh’s Old and New Towns are listed as world heritage sites of specific cultural significance, which leads me on to my project.
The brief was to produce photographs that investigate ideas of representation and identity in relation to my cultural position in society. Personally, I see my cultural position as a Scottish teenager -and through this idea I want to contrast the aspects of being young and the popular culture that affects most youths, including me and that I am particularly interested in; music, art, drinking, fashion and also something that is completely relevant to being a scottish teenager - Scotland’s independece with the historical city and the older aspects of Scottish culture. Originially being a Londoner in Edinburgh it was all about adapting to the sense of “Scottish Pride” - there is an overwhelming amount of love for scotland within the people of edinburgh and within my photo’s I want to emphasise the beauty of the city and it’s ancient history, whislt also mixing this and emphasising the viewpoint from a young person’s eyes creating the juxtaposition of the old and new being able to co-operate and live together in harmony.
In terms of the photographs I plan on taking, through my research I have developed a brief outline of my ideas;
Potter Row: potter row is deep in the heart of the city, surrounded by the old university buildings and it sits just next to edinburgh’s old town. It holds one of edinburgh’s only legal graffiti walls which is covered and changes practically daily with new artwork appearing. My idea for an image wants to contrast the passion young people have for art, with the old style and brick work of the city. I plan on taking an image of people walking along against the wall, with the older buildings in the background, I want to adjust the motion in the picture by slowing the shutter speed down.
Parliament: Edinburgh’s parliament is at the centre of global news recently with the debate on Scottish Indepence. The building itself was built by Enric Miralles who actually died during the building process, it’s construction (which took 5 years when it was only mean’t to take two) and architecture came under a lot of controversy from the media. It cost 414 million pounds and aimed to achieve a poetic union between the scottish landscape, the people , the culture and the city of edinburgh - resulting in leaf shaped motifs on the roof around the building. Linking this to my theme, i want to take an image that incorporates this completely ultra-modern building against it’s backdrop of the old town in Edinburgh - it is also extremely relevant to my personal culture as for the first time 16-18 year olds are able to vote concerning independence - a huge priority to Alex Salmond therefore giving them a huge amount of power to change the future of Scotland.
St Andrews Square: St Andrews Square was one of the first constructions of Edinburgh’s new town in 1772 - not very new anymore! It stands at the top of George Street and over the years has become one of the most desirable and fashionable commercial areas. Recently, artist Bruce Monro installed his “Field of Light” exhibition around the statue - it creates the perfect mix of olden day Scotland with the “Melville Monument” in memory of Henry Dundas the “Uncrowned King of Scotland” being surrounded by this urban landscape of lights in various pathways and shapes.
Tartan: A huge piece of Scottish heritage is Tartan. Originally each family (clan) was associated with a different colour of tartan in the 19th century. There are around 5000 different types of tartan and it wasn’t until the 1970’s through the introduction of punk music that it became a fashion icon. Since then, every year designers bring out punk-inspired tartan clothes and young people everywhere are seen with tartan scarves, trousers and shirts. The ancient tartans - a huge element of scotland was brought up to date in the fashion industry, linking to my idea of popular culture and something that I am extremely interested in - owning three tartan scarves myself. The image I wish to create is of a young person, wearing a symbolic scarf on the old, cobbled streets of edinburgh to emphasise how this tradition and culture has passed on through the generations.
Bars: another huge aspect of today’s youth is partying - a large portion of university life is spent socialising and going out to drink with friends. With this idea of drinking and partying being a part of today’s youths popular culture edinburgh is full of bars and clubs in old locations. One bar “the standing order” is located on the land of a Grade A, listed building which used to be an old bank on edinburgh’s george street. This links to the idea of old youth as before it used be a place of sorting out finances on one of the wealthiest streets - the pub still includes an old vault inside whereas it is now a place where all the young people go for the cheapest drinks before a night out. My idea for an image is youths standing outside smoking against the stone walls or a group of youths inside all dressed up against the backdrop of old bookcases or the vault.
Music: Music is another necessity to my culture, and also the popular culture of most young people today. An important factor of edinburgh’s nightlife is the bars and clubs that are situated in what used to be the vaults of edinburgh’s underground city. Music venue “The Caves”, which when first evacuated found terracotta floor titles, a fireplace and a well within the building, and the majority of the vaults are used during the month of August during the Festival Fringe to showcase upcoming artists and performers in up to 60 shows a day. My idea for a photograph is for a shot inside of the venue, emphasising the arches and confined spaces of “the caves” during a night of music and young people dancing the night away.
For my inspiration - I don’t have a particular photographer in mind, however I am definitely influenced my urban street art photographers as I feel as though they are able to capture the youthful atmosphere and emphasise being young through the colours and effects on the images. On the other hand I am also inspired by older fashion photographers such as Terry O’Neill and David Bailey as I feel as though they are able to successfully add a hint of glamour to their photos and set up their objects perfectly for example this rolling stones photo I think links in with my theme, you have a new up and coming band who end up becoming one of the most famous bands in the world - against what looks like an old background.
In terms of test shooting for my project, I am travelling to Edinburgh next week in order to take some shots and create my overall vision of youth culture in an ancient environment.
I have posted the link below to take you to my "Prezi" powerpoint that I made alongside this pitch - it includes images and more information about my final project.
