The Terezin Project

The Terezin Project

A photo-documentary project by Steven Simpson (also see his previous blog entry First year, Steven Simpson, contributes)

Siobhan won't be forgetting this experience...

"I don't really know what to say about Prague, except for that it was an amazingly diverse place, and an experience I won't be forgetting anytime soon. Thanks to everyone who made it fun." Siobhan McMullan, first year BA Photography and Digital Imaging student (and, you've guessed it, more of her work can be viewed on the ever building group slideshow!)

Experiencing a new culture

A selection of Haleema Kukoyi's photographs from Prague. "I really enjoyed the trip. I always like going to new places and Prague is a very interesting place. Me and Tracy walked around a lot and tried to go to as many different places via backstreets. I think experiencing new cultures are an exciting prospect and Prague did not let down. I think I will be going back there one day I enjoyed it that much." Haleema Kukoyi, third year BA Combined Honors (New Media Journalism with Photography and Digital Imaging)
More of her work can be seen in the group slideshow.

Work on the outskirts

Some of Matt Lea's photography, shot in the suburbs of Prague, in the shadows of the Panelaks

Ed Davis adds some more toilet humour...

Carrying on from Carol's previous video.....




































































Cynthia in celeb mode...


















This little Beaver at Terezin Small Fortress was a uplifting sight during a tour of the prison. All photos by Ed Davis.

The Revolving Seat

Carol Hudson contributes some moving image work shot on location in a German services....

Lidia's discoveries...

"I was unsure initially if I could come on the trip to Prague, but I finally made it. Even though it was the third time in Prague for me I really enjoyed this trip and I discovered new places. Probably not only because of the unique feel of Prague, but most importantly, because of the excellent teaching staff and all the students! That wasn’t first and last initiative of Matt and again he did excellent job with the rest of the staff! Thanks to all people that went to the trip and see you next year!" Lidia Kowalewicz, first year BA Photography and Digital Imaging student.

Terezin

First year BA Photography and Digital Imaging student, Jane Marie Liggins, shares her work from Terezin. Read about our visit to Terezin here.
More of Jane's photographs from central Prague can be viewed here.

Louise Adams' Prague

More of Louise's work can be seen in the group slideshow

Graham returns to the blog

"Once finally arriving in Prague, I was overwhelmed by the huge differences in culture and architecture. It also dawned upon me that this was really an incredible opportunity for a photography student, to be in an environment so photogenic, and inspiring.
I'd also like to thank Matt for making this possible. You can definitely count me in for next year, and I might even bring my passport." Graham Duthie, first year BA Photography student.

You may remember Graham from an earlier post........
It begins and ends with Graham




































































More of Graham's work can be viewed in the group slideshow

More tales from Prague

Daniel Clark, first year BA Photography student shares his thoughts and images from the trip:
"I found Prague to have unbelievable character and in particular the breath taking architecture which could be seen throughout the city, the figures engraved on the walls were intensely detailed adding to the authentic city centre. Czech food is not fabulous but the beers and spirits which they had on offer were brilliant especially when experienced in the local pubs and clubs. I also found the trip to be brilliant socially as I have made many closer friends than before and I would recommend anyone doing the course to go on the next trip available. I didn’t enjoy the 17 hour coach rides to and from Prague but they were 100% worth it after being there" (Daniel Clark)

Panelák Portraits

Senior lecturer Eti Wade adds some of her photography to the blog. Here are some portraits taken in the suburbs of Prague. More of her work can be viewed in the slideshow

New photos added by Marcia Petterson

Second year BA Photography and Digital Imaging student, Marcia Petterson, contributes some of her work. Here is a taste.

See more on the group slideshow

First year, Stephen Simpson, contributes:

Hi All,
Now that I'm fully recovered I thought I'd drop a line to say a big thank you to everyone for organizing the trip. I must admit I had reservations about going, I thought I'd feel like a fish out of water! How wrong I was - I had a fantastic time, taking photographs all day, visiting galleries and socializing and making many new friends from across all years in the evening, what more could a bunch of photography students want?!

I particularly made the most of my visit to Terezin and am looking forward to putting my photo-documentary project together after interviewing some of you about your feelings about visiting such an important place. I also enjoyed being in Prague for the historic US Presidential Election results, at least I will be able to remember exactly what I was doing when people ask the question "where were you when..." It was great to celebrate the news with everyone in such a historic and beautiful city.

Once again a big thanks, especially to Matt, for taking us and here's to next year, now...I have an awful lot of film to start processing...

www.stephensimpson.co.uk

Day five - The journey home....

At lunchtime on Friday the coach departed Prague, bound for Ealing. Again the coach journey was made more bearable by watching films, some of more educational value than others. We dined on Schnitzel and pretzel at a German services and then most tried to catch a few winks before the ferry crossing. We arrived at Calais, bleary eyed, at around 3am Saturday morning. At which point Matt L took to the coach microphone to announce the annual photography department trip awards. Honorable mentions go to: Patrick - 'Anorak Award' for bringing and buying the most cameras in Prague and Reffell 'The Motordrive' who used up a record amount of CF memory cards.
We arrived in Ealing at 9am on Saturday after a pleasant 16 hour journey. Staff were praised by the students and visa versa for making the trip one to remember. Hopefully the students will add their comments and photographs to this blog to bring it alive and give the readers a sense of the experiences we had on the trip.
Until next year......

Day four - The group disperses to take photos!

Our last day in Prague and all are hungry to shoot something worthwhile for our group exhibition we are holding back in London. Most of us had taken the obligatory shots of the beautiful Charles Bridge and cobbled streets, except for the two Matts who get angry at the sight of any tourist shots. So we all took to the trams, underground and bus network to explore the outer reaches of the city. The whole feel of the city changes once at its outskirts. There are large expanses of wasteland, forests and factories, as well as huge residential areas. One third of Prague's population live in Communist era tower blocks, nicknamed Panelaks. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panel%C3%A1k I will post up some pictures as students and staff send them in.

The last night we all went out for a group meal to a very authentic, local Czech restaurant... It wasn't the kind of place used to having a group of 35 descending on them and consequently Matt and Carol never got served their meal... The atmosphere was so warm and chatty I don't think either minded, especially as we were all sampling a glass (no more!) of Czech wine.

Day three - Photography exhibition tour

We woke up to a new president (a few cheers where heard in the early hours of the morning from distant hotel rooms!). We all visited the Martha Rosler show on at Langhans gallery and received an enlightening talk by the curator. It was an excellent chance for the group to question and discuss the business of succeeding as a photographic artist in the tough art market. We got some great advice. In fact, it almost took over thinking about the actual show, which was very interesting. Martha Rosler is an American painter, photographer, activist, essayist, and teacher, is generally considered one of the most influential figures of political and feminist-oriented art in America and Europe.

Langhans Gallery is attached to Camera Skoda, a four storey high camera shop. One unnamed member of staff just bagged an amazing bargain priced monorail camera…. Those Kroners are running out fast!

Day two - Terezin

Today’s coach trip to Terezin (Theresienstadt) ghetto was very moving for most of us and I feel my words alone will not convey the emotions felt. I will ask some of the students to add their thoughts and images to this post. Terezin was built in 1780 as a fortress town, but was used in WW2 by the Nazi’s as a holding camp / ghetto for the Czech Jews. Thousands died here or in the death camps they were later transported to such as Auschwitz. We where given a tour of the prison which held political prisoners during that time. We where all shepherded into a tiny cell and told of how the 60 Jewish prisoners were housed there and many died in that space. Most of us found it felt wrong to make photographs in the prison or ghetto.