THE BRIEF

"This unit surveys photography in urban space and examines it as socially engaged practice, working with critical public issues. The practical component of the unit consist in rehearsing some of these strategies in the real space of Elephant and Castle in the attempt to become familliar with the space and identity, an opportunity for intervention."

This brief is supposed to exercise both our knowledge and practice of photography. The brief requires us to go about the streets of Elephant and Castle and take photographs of images that catches our eye. I'm exited about this project as I know it will be fun....interesting.

Elephant and Castle is covered with signs and posters, which stay in the same position for a long time, because most of them are never taken down. Hopefully by making these posters inviting the local community to a social gathering, I would be making a concious difference by giving them something to think about when they see my posters. Whether it made a difference or not, I am pleased with this idea. Its great that Elephant and Castle is getting a renovation, but I think that the people around the area should make the effort to become more of a tightknit community, because when the work on the E&C is finished it would be a much better place to visit if you get a friendlier atmosphere.

POSTERS

THE POSTER

I created simple posters and photocopied them so that I could easily display them around Elephant and Castle. I displayed them around busy spots in the area, such as the subways and the market. These areas are the places that people usually pass through or go to when they are in E&C. I also displayed them around council estates so that most of the locals who sees the poster are aware of the gathering I have organised.
The posters invites the locals to a party in, what else, the Weatherspoons pub. I gave a specific date and time to which everybody should meet. I actually have not plan a proper party and did not organised anything with the pub owners so basically this gathering is just an illusion. The aim of this poster idea is for the people who came from differnt areas of E&C to talk to each other about the poster and hopefully spark up some conversion or maybe even friendship.

THE PROJECT IDEA

My idea for this project came from a website about the regeneration of Elephant and Castle. It was a linked web page and people discussed, "What do we think of the Elephant and Castle masterplan?" from www.livingstreets.org.uk. I also found a website (www.into.org.uk), in this website the locals of E&C discussed how life is at the Elephant and about the upcoming plans for the area. Most of the discussions I have read from the locals did not give me the impression that Elephant and Castle has a close community. I also gathered this by talking to some of the people I meet around the area.

I wanted to create something that would make a difference on the community, so I thought of creating a poster inviting the local community of E&C to a gathering to a certain location on a certain time and certain date. The point of the poster would be to encourage the locals from different areas to socialise with each other.

COMMUNITY QUOTES

" When I first moved to London, I lived here for two years. Elephant &Castle for those who don't know, is essentially a roundabout, with a pink shopping centre! Its dirty and noisy but in a way it's kinda cool because you can live there. A mojority of the locals are good people, but it seems to attract a lot of nutters."

" The best thing about Elephant and Castle is that it's a gateway to so many places. 20 minutes walk and your in central, 10 minutes and your in waterloo. Kennington, Walworth Road, London Bridge are within walking distance, it's cool."

" I don't really like living here, This place is miserable and the people are miserable too."

" I think it's worth stressing that whatever happens to Elephant over the next few years, we shouldn't simply demolish it and forget it."

" I remember that before the pink shopping centre was built, Elephant and Castle was the West End of South London, it was a place where people came to meet rather than pass through. I've seen people hop on a bus at Elephant simply to get around the corner, bizaarre really, considering this used to be a bustling place full of life. That's what we need to get back to and I think we can with this new renovation."

" I like this area. I want to see everyone here that deserves a decent home get one."

" Most of the people around here do not appreciate community spirit."