“Islandness is a sense that is absorbed by islanders through the obstinate and. tenacious hold of island communities, but visitors can also experience the sensation as an. instantaneous recognition. Islandness thus helps maintain island communities in spite of.” – google
Islanders from different archipelagoes share a sense of islandness that transcends the particulars of local island culture. Islandness is a metaphysical sensation that derives from the heightened experience that accompanies physical isolation. Islandness is reinforced by boundaries of often frightening and occasionally impassable bodies of water that amplify a sense of a place that is closer to the natural world because you are in closer proximity to your neighbours. Islandness is a sense that is absorbed by islanders through the obstinate and tenacious hold of island communities, but visitors can also experience the sensation as an instantaneous recognition. Islandness thus helps maintain island communities in spite of daunting economic pressures to abandon them- www.jstor.org
The Bailiwick of Jersey is a British Crown dependency, which means that it is not part of the UK but is rather a self-governing possession of the British Crown. However, the UK Government is constitutionally responsible for its defence and international representation.
There are three island territories within the British Isles that are known as Crown Dependencies; these are the Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey which make up Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man. The Crown Dependencies are not part of the United Kingdom, but are self-governing possessions of the British Crown.
How did Jersey become self-governing?
In 1204 King John lost the Battle of Rouen against the French King Philippe-Auguste. The defeat signalled the loss of continental Normandy, united with the English Crown since the invasion of England by William the Conqueror in 1066. The Channel Islands, part of the Duchy of Normandy for more than a hundred years at that point, might have been expected to align themselves with the French King in 1204 but they were persuaded by a combination of carrot and stick to side with King John instead.
Among the privileges which the King granted Islanders was the right to be governed by their own laws and he instructed them to select their 12 best men as Jurats who, sitting with the Bailiff, became the Island’s Royal Court. A warden, later to become governor, was appointed by the King to organise the defence of the Island.
Jersey’s Constitution
The constitutional position which Jersey enjoys today is founded on these links with the English Crown confirmed in Royal Charters by subsequent monarchs. Over a period of time, the Royal Court began to consult with the people through the Constables (or Connétables) of the parishes and with the church through the rectors. This consultation with the 3 estates of court, people and church was eventually formalised into what we now know as the States of Jersey. Significant constitutional changes in 1856 and 1948 saw the introduction of Deputies and Senators into the States and the removal of the Jurats and the rectors. However, the 12 Jurats remain the lay members of the Royal Court and are today chosen by an electoral college comprising members of the court and the States.
The Crown Dependencies have never been colonies of the UK. Nor are they Overseas Territories, like Gibraltar, which have a different relationship with the UK. The constitutional relationship of the Islands with the UK is maintained through the Crown and is not enshrined in a formal constitutional document.
The difference between crown dependencies and overseas territories is that, British Crown Dependency means that you are self-governing but the British Crown maintains its possession of you. On the other hand, British Overseas Territory means that you are a British colony that continues to have a constitutional link with the United Kingdom.
The sovereignty of the crown dependencies and the British overseas territories in the Brexit era
Here I have made a mindmap of topics that fit within the theme of ‘Islandness’, in order to get a better idea of the subject matter of the images I will take for this project.
Moodboards
As of right now, I think the theme that interests me the most would be ‘Geography’, as it contains a lot of subjects such as the coast, woods and rural vs. urban that I would be interested in exploring further.
Here are some images of Jersey’s coasts and woods for some inspiration
Here are some ideas (the images are not from Jersey) of cityscape photography.
These are ideas for a rural photoshoot (the images are not from Jersey).
There are three island territories within the British Isles that are known as Crown Dependencies; these are the Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey which make up Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man. The Crown Dependencies are not part of the United Kingdom, but are self-governing possessions of the British Crown.
The Bailiwick of Jersey is a British Crown dependency, which means that it is not part of the UK but is rather a self-governing possession of the British Crown. However, the UK Government is constitutionally responsible for its defence and international representation.
When Duke William the Conqueror became King of England in 1066, the island remained part of the Norman possessions. However, in 1204, when Normandy was finally returned to the French king, the island remained a possession of the English crown, though never incorporated into England.
In each Bailiwick The Queen’s personal representative is the Lieutenant Governor, who since the mid-eighteenth century has acted as the channel of communication between the Sovereign and the Channel Islands’ government.
The two Crown Dependencies have their own legislative assemblies as well as their own administrative, fiscal and legal systems. They have wide powers of self-government, although primary legislation passed by the assemblies requires approval by The Queen in Council (Privy Council).
The United Kingdom Government is responsible for the defence and international relations of the Islands and the Crown is ultimately responsible for good governance.
In the Channel Islands The Queen is known as The Duke of Normandy. At official functions, islanders raise the loyal toast to ‘The Duke of Normandy, our Queen’.
The Queen has visited the islands on various occasions, most recently in May 2005 to mark the 60th anniversary of their liberation from German occupation.
I used the art steps website to create a virtual gallery I then imported some of my favourite images from my zeen then displayed them in this gallery.
I placed three landscapes images together on the biggest wall I created. i juxtaposed the walls with white and black i displayed all my images on the black walls.
I placed this one image alone in the middle of this wall.
this wall I placed two portrait images very far apart however on the same wall.
The aim for the students essay was to take the stereotypical representation of hedonistic activities in nightlife and interpret it through his eyes, aiming to photograph quieter, more desolate areas of the island with a dream-like quality to describe blackouts experienced by alcoholics. He addresses the aim by making links to his artist references and comparing his images to his personal life.
Does it provide new knowledge and understanding?
The essay provides knowledge into the students personal life as throughout his essay he examines artists that photographs community and look deep into identity. He chose photographers Maciej Dakowicz, David Moore and Rut Blees, and each piece of their work he analyzes with detail, providing a better understanding for the reader. This helps provide knowledge as he compares experiences felt by his photographers with stereotypical nightlife in Jersey’s community.
Is the essay well structured with a sense of an introduction, paragraphs and a conclusion?
Throughout the essay there is a clear sense of structure. He begins with a foreword, giving insight into why he chose his title and theme. He starts his essay with the question ‘How do my chosen photographers record on to photographs their sense of community and identity?’ Straightaway he begins analyzing what community truly means to todays society, then begins his artist analysis, starting with Maciej Dakowicz and his book Cardiff After Dark. He explains why the piece stood out to him and what he likes about it, and repeats this with his other chosen artists, which makes his essay flow well. The essay finishes with a clear conclusion as he takes into consideration his own project and his influences.
Analysis of artist’s oeuvre (body of work) and key work(s).
He first analyzes Maciej Dakowicz’ book Cardiff After Dark, a project centered around a community in Cardiff and Dakowicz’ recording the consequences of a hedonistic life. He compares Dakowicz’ work to other photographers of a similar style.
Image by Dakowicz the student analyzed.
His next chosen photographer is David Moore. The student speaks about his 1980’s project ‘Pictures from the Real World’ where Moore went around his hometown of Derby and photographed British citizens in their homes to show a united community through candid photographs that show the bleak society 80’s Britain was in whilst ruled by Thatcher. The student states his opinion on Moore’s work, and provides facts relating to his work that betters our knowledge and understanding.
Image taken from Moores photobook, Pictures from the Real World
His final photographer is London-based artist Rut Blees, who explores community within London, predominantly focusing on council houses and tower blocks. He discusses the societal impact Blees’ images have made, mentioning how the photo represents community in pop culture, used as an album cover for artist The Street’s’ 2002 debut Original Pirate Material. The student states Blees’ work influenced him the most as they have the same views on the idea of community and photograph similar areas.
Image analysed by student.
Evidence of wider reading with reference to art history/ theory, political discourse and/or socio-economical context.
The student has shown they have thoroughly researched into his chosen artists and gives clear evidence by referring to political and impactful events in history that may have inspired his photographers work to provide the reader with better context. Whilst researching Moore’s photobook, he touches on the influence of Thatcherism on the British economy during the 80’s and the impact it had on working class British citizens. With Blees’ projects, the student focuses on researching into the history of tower blocks in the UK – “Tower blocks were built in the UK after the Second World War, in many cases tower blocks were seen as a ‘quick-fix’ to cure problems caused by crumbling and unsanitary 19th-century dwellings or to replace buildings destroyed by German aerial bombing’ I think by providing research at such extent helped push the student towards a higher mark.
EVALUATION
Overall i think the student excelled with his choice of artists and further research into them. He made good connections between his chosen photographers and his personal life, and shows his idea of community well, however he could have included more references in his Bibliography as i was unable to find many resources showing where he provided his facts. I would give him 14/18 as a final mark.
We started this project by making a mindmap of our ideas around the theme of ‘islandness’. After finishing it I decided I wanted to look at migrant families and their families, instead of looking at material things on the island. This is because I believe that the people on Jersey are very important to the island and its history.
Ideas:
I could look at immigration on the island by photographing Romania/Portuguese/Polish (etc) people and interviewing them about their experience in Jersey. I’d convert those interviews to text and add them t my zine/film. Recording them would work well for a film. Could call it ‘Away from Home’ or something maybe idk.
Compare the life of English people to the lives of immigrant people in Jersey. Could do this by photographing inside of houses and compare how they differ. Show different cultures. Photograph food, items of clothing etc.
Look at my own private archive at home. Find pictures of my mum in 90s Romania and recreate them. Compare what life was like back then for her to what life is like for me now in the UK. I can also interview her and ask her about how it was to move so much at such a young age and how it has affected her (Romania > Greece > Jersey). Look at documents and government papers regarding our immigration status.
Take self-portraits and explore the theme of ‘isolation’ and what being away from your own country is like. Could take pictures of my friends as well.
I decided to look a bit into Rita Puig-Serra because I really liked how personal her work felt and wanted to see if I could create something similar. I also like the simplicity of her photobook layouts and use of juxtapose.
Sam Harris [The Middle of Somewhere]
Sam Harris’ photobook ‘The Middle of Somewhere’ caught my attention very easily. I was not only intrigued by the title but also by the images within the book. This is because he focuses on taking mainly snapshots and doesn’t worry about the images being perfect. The book felt like a personal photo album which I really liked and I’d hope to create something similar if possible.
LaToya Ruby Frazier[The Notion of Family]
I chose to look at Latoya Ruby Fraizer because she focused on immigration and family which is a big part of my project as well. I thought her portraits were very nicely done and framed.
Bogdan Girbovan [10/1]
I also tried looking at photographers from Europe, other than just English and American ones. Bogdan Girbovan is a Romanian photographer that created the project ’10/1′. In this project, he focused on taking pictures of every flat in his old communist-styled apartment building. I found this very interesting because even though all the flats have the same structure, the personality of each individual can be seen through the furniture. I could do something similar by taking pictures of my house (a Romanian) and compare it images of my friends’ houses (English, Portuguese etc)
Iosif Berman
Iosif Berman is another Romanian photographer that I thought was interesting as most of his images consist of either elderly people or people in old traditional clothing. Thought it could help to look at his work as I am focusing on my own family history.
I really like the way Dragana Jurisic photographs because her images look almost surreal and out of a fairy tale. i think the colours used are really beautiful and calming.
