Born 9 July 1937, David Hockney  is an English painter, draftsman, printmaker, stage designer, and photographer. As an important contributor to the pop art movement of the 1960s, he is considered one of the most influential British artists of the 20th century. He studied at the Bradford College of Art (1953–57) and the Royal College of Art, London (1959–62), where he received a gold medal in the graduate competition.

Hockney’s Joiners

In the 1980’s, Hockney began to create ‘joiners’, now they are photocollages. When he first began to produce these he did them with Polaroid prints and later on he did them with 35mm, commercially processed prints. How he created joiners was by taking multiple and varying Polaroid shots or photolab-prints of just an individual subject. Then with these shots he would arrange them into what almost looks like a patchwork, to create on overall image. One of Hockney’s first ‘joiners’ was a photomontage of his own mother.

Examples of ‘joiners’

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Hockney was very interested in how 3-dimensional space can be portrayed in a 2-dimensional image. Joiners aimed to create an image that was able to show reality how we experience it (in fragments, not as a whole), and to show the passage of time.

Image analysis

In this image by Hockney you can clearly see the image is made up of over 100 different 2-dimensional quadrilaterals positioned in different angles and variations which all make up an image of Pearl Blossom Highway in California created in 1986. Hockney spent 3 weeks taking different shots of this certain part of the highway to create this image. The image displays a deserted road containing street signs and a few trees, with a heap of litter scattered around the beginning of the road. It shows good weather conditions that create a good effect contrasting between the blue sky and sandy roads. The images seems slightly distorted in a positive way by Hockney creating all objects and features not appear normal. The image nearly looks as if its is a painting, making it much more interesting and draws the eyes of viewers.

‘The aim of the centre is to introduce the Aspiring Geopark project and encourage people to explore Jersey and discover its stories along the way. The Island has been shaped by tide and time over millions of years. Jersey’s exceptional geology and important cultural heritage form the outstanding surroundings we enjoy every day.’ 

Millie Butel

Millie Butel is Jersey Heritage’s Landscape Engagement & Geopark Development Curator and she explained that Geoparks celebrate the links between people and the Earth. The Visitor Centre shows people why Jersey’s outstanding landscapes and seascapes could make the Island a candidate for future designation. She mentioned ‘Jersey is more than just the rock it is made of – our Island is an incredible combination of natural, built and intangible heritage. A Geopark can tell the whole story and, if Jersey is successful in achieving a designation, it will be a statement of commitment to protect the Island we all love and to promote the landscapes, seascapes and heritage that are important to Islanders. 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Link to Jersey Geology Trail..

http://jerseygeologytrail.net/Sites_of_Special_Interest.shtml

Ralph Nicholls

Sites of special interest-

South Hill – Green Island – Anne Port – La Solitude – La Tête des Hougues – L’Islet – Les Hurets – Les Rouaux – Giffard Bay – Sorel Point – L’Île Agois – Le Pinacle – Le Petit Étacquerel – Le Grand Étacquerel – Le Pulec – Mont Huelin Quarry – St Ouen’s Peat beds – Portelet Bay – Belcroute Bay

Global geopark – http://www.unesco.org/new/en/natural-sciences/environment/earth-sciences/unesco-global-geoparks/

• Born on 9th July 1937, in Bradford, United Kingdom.
• An English painter, draftsman, printmaker, stage designer and photographer.
• Considered to be one of the most influential British artists of the 20th century due to his pop art movement in the 1960s.
• Experimented with the photographic art style of Joiners which his famous “Pearl Blossom Highway” artwork originated from.

Examples of his work –

Analysis –

I chose this joiner created by David Hockney to be the photo of his which I think is his most successful because I like the way he has brought in different perspectives from the variety of photos which he has decided to use. This can be clearly seen through the way that the photo seems to be guiding you down the street and this is due to the way the buildings follow downwards along with the cars, which are moving in the direction which can help bring this photo to life because the use of the joiner effect can make them look as if they are in motion. I also like the use of colour within the photo because it gives the photo a timeless, yet worn look as the green/grey/yellow tones make the photo look worn and as if it holds a lot of history and stories within it, which I really like as it makes it unique and works well with the 2 trees in the middle of the photograph as they don’t look out of place and the way the joiner has been put together gives them enough structure to look realistic.

In my own work, I will consider different point of views, just like David Hockney has done, when creating joiners to add a level of individuality towards my own joiners of L’Etacq and other SSI in Jersey. I will also experiment on photoshop with different filters and how these are able to transform a picture successfully.

What is a Geopark and what does it include?

A Geopark falls under UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) which is recognised globally over 169 Geoparks that wants to build peace through internal co-operations in education, sciences and culture.

A UNESCO Global Geopark includes a number of geological heritage sites which are of special importance, rarity, beauty, etc and these features represent a regions geological history and the events/process which formed it to be as it is seen now which consists of important, natural and historic heritage sites. These Geoparks are able to help everyone celebrate the links between people and the earth and in the future, Jersey hopes to become a Geopark as well, due to the unique heritage which would award this.

Jerseys Geopark

As Jersey is aspiring to become a Geopark there is a local island Geopark centre which can be visited as it introduces Jerseys heritage and explains how it has influenced the island which we live on today, this is supported from the help of Geopark ambassadors such as Ralph Nichols, here is a booklet which provides more information about this. There are many aspects in Jersey which have influenced our islands life and these are: minerals of Jersey, shale formation, volcanic, granites, offshore reefs, sea levels and climate change, etc.

Sites of special interest in Jersey

In Jersey, the sites of special interest are different to what you would find in the UK and other channel islands due to the unique geological range which have create regional and international significance and attracted a lot of global attraction. A part of this can be Jerseys Geology trail.

In support of Jerseys sites of special interest(SSI’s), the states of Jersey has designated 22 of the most important outcrops as SSI’s and this helps to protect and preserve them in the future for public enjoyment and research purposes. There’s a booklet which offers an introduction to Jerseys geological SSI’s so that they are able to gain some recognition to residents/tourists/scientists about their importance.

Activities which showcase Jerseys island heritage

There are a range of activities in Jersey which provide a deeper and more involved opportunity/understanding into the island heritage and these are through a range of sites to walk around, cycle routes, diving, surfing, climbing, visiting heritage sites, etc.