The Production of Space: The Meaning of Place

Abstract for paper presentation:

This paper explores the relationship between the production of space and the meaning of place through the artwork 'In Passing'- a moving image and text based sound work. The geographical context for 'In Passing' is a culturally neglected and 'unplanned' settlement which sits on an
unstable shingle coastline bordering Romney Marsh in the South East of England.

The work is informed by fieldwork methods of gathering information about a local landscape and a consideration of the relationship between chronological movement and psychic duration in the artwork (Bergson).

The paper discusses the geological terrain and social and industrial development of the landscape, how fieldwork methods of gathering information about a local landscape can be assembled to explore the 'quotidien' , and how this shifting coastal terrain can be experienced as flow, counterflow and infinite variation through the form of the artwork.

The artwork and the paper suggest two things:
1. That we can understand the meaning of place through a fieldwork activity of walking and close observation, which then is transformed into a space/time synthesis understood through visual and oral inscription.
2.That we can use the artistic production of space and duration to draw attention to neglected, overlooked pockets of land, explore marginal existences, processes of flux and discover variegation in apparent uniformity.

'In Passing' description of artwork:

The video draws a linear trajectory through the landscape from a moving vehicle (a local miniature train). The locked camera positioned low to the ground, records a visual track which reveals a 'behind the scenes' view of vernacular architecture, 'waste' land and suburban gardens which are mixed up with features of agricultural, industrial and touristic occupation.

Accompanying this track, recorded voices rhythmically recite the names of classes of things particular to this landscape (species of local flora; leptidoptera; house names and models of vehicles) collected through observational walking in the landscape. The sound track as a textured ribbon of voices in parallel with the visual track results in images and signs that emerge in relation to one another, sedimented and intersecting. The resulting artwork is a particular map of place at a particular time in space, a synthetic fabrication of constantly shifting relations which aims to enrich our understanding of the lived landscape, however mundane, insignificant and despoiled it may appear to the casual eye.

'In Passing' can be shown as video projection or on a flat screen- both with speakers. The complete work extends for 75 mins on a loop. It is not meant to be experienced in cinematic 'sit down' format, but rather to be encountered as the title suggests, 'In passing'. Therefore the viewer can spend as long as they like with the work before moving on.

To view an excerpt and for more information on 'In Passing', please see: http://ualresearchonline.arts.ac.uk/3891/.