Photo exhibition visitors give their thoughts on Martin Parr’s satirical depiction of working-class life in Scotland
Visitors are encouraged to share their reactions to British documentary photographer Martin Parr’s images of Scottish life and Scottish stereotypes in a new exhibition. out this summer.
Martin Parr will exhibit his satirical view of Scotland in an exhibition at the large Pollok House south of Glasgow in Scotland. The exhibition showcases a selection of works from Parr’s exhibition, Think of Scotland, initiated by the Aberdeen Art Gallery and displayed as part of a program to reopen the gallery in 2019 following a re-opening of the gallery. development worth £30 million. Martin Parr, originally from Surrey, is best known for his picture books, most notably The Last Resort, which depicts people and beach life in New Brighton during the 1980s.
When I heard about this style of exhibition, I was interested to find out what local visitors thought of their depiction of Parr’s pictures. Participatory art is designed to engage audiences in a positive and engaging way, encouraging interaction with the work’s content. This is something that interests me very much in my practice as a photographer, as collaborating with the community can help break down barriers, foster dialogue, and broaden horizons. The ultimate goal is to foster a deeper connection between the audience and the artists’ work. Participatory practice is uncommon in major photography exhibitions. In most cases, some viewers can leave their thoughts through a line of text in the visitor book. However, in this particular exhibit, they are encouraged to actively give their personal comments on each of the images on display.
Exhibition visitors are asked to contribute their voice by leaving comments on the images on display. The label for each photo has been designed as a handbook and visitors are encouraged to contribute by writing their reactions to the photos spanning the 1990s to 2010s to explore the activities. Scottish entertainment and national stereotype.
Printed on the front of each notebook, along with an image title, are sample comments to prompt viewers with their own writing. I wonder how this affects the mindset of each person who opens the notebook to leave their own comments, as the suggestions are all very positive. As I read the names quoted in each reminder, I knew they were left by Trust employees, with a reminder label even written by Susie Parr, Martin’s wife. I can’t help but think that a notebook with just a picture title on the outside with an invitation to leave thoughts on the inside would be a more objective way to seek feedback.
When I looked through the notebooks, I found that many of the responses were really positive. There were many people who used the notebooks to leave general comments on the exhibition in general and others who left positive comments on the beauty of Pollok House. For those who have commented on individual photos, there are mixed emotions, such as one commenter who found the photos: “It’s all very interesting, but I wonder who in How does he feel about their portraits?” The depiction of any social group, including the working class, in a way that perpetuates prejudice or degrades their dignity is potentially harmful or disrespectful, even if this is intended to satirical purposes.
In keeping with Glaswegian humor, one commenter simply wrote “Taps aff” in response to the image of Burntisland, a common response that meant Scots had a more flexible description of the condition. the weather we consider hot. One viewer commented that the image was “very accurate” of Scots. Another viewer commented, “Truly Burnt’ Island,” a concept of true Scottish humour.
Several pressing questions were raised in response to the cupcake image. “Why are cupcakes sad,” one viewer wanted to know, while another asked, “Why is this in the showroom,” seemingly in response to their analysis of quality. of close-up shots taken with the live flash.
The exhibition’s favorite image seems to be the Barrowlands image, which one viewer said: “Shows Glaswegian life and all that Glasgow is all about. The composition is also excellent,” while another commented: “I think this could be staged! You can’t stop in the middle of the road to read a newspaper!” Perhaps this viewer thinks this image does not fit their understanding of documentary photography.
Local community groups will contribute additionally who have been part of an outreach program being piloted by the team at Pollok House. I will try to revisit at the end of the show to re-read the labels to gather the thoughts of more visitors.
Context matters to the location of the artwork on display, and Pollok House offers a compelling alternative to participatory art. One of Scotland’s greatest Edwardian homes, now managed by the National Trust for Scotland, it holds historical significance as the ancestral residence of the Maxwell family. Pollok House displays famous artworks by El Greco and Blake, complemented by luxurious Edwardian furniture. It is located in Pollok National Park, a beautifully maintained 146 hectare green space south of Glasgow City Center and award winning Best Park in Europe.
Stuart Mackinnon, Managing Director of Pollok House’s National Trust for Scotland, said of the exhibition: “The brand aims to encourage engagement and interaction with a wide range of people to broaden access and interest in the arts. art by asking visitors to discover their own reactions and share their thoughts and reflections on the images on display.”
In my view, expanding participation and diversifying the audience cannot be meaningfully achieved while charging an entrance fee to interact with the work on display. You can only view this exhibition by paying to enter Pollok House, which has a standard entrance fee of £8.50 per person or £6 on concessional rates. That acts as a barrier, restricting access for those who cannot afford the entrance fee, especially at a time when people across the country are tightening their spending due to the cost crisis. Living. I cannot help but make a connection between this fact and the working class people depicted in the photographs. Can you encourage broad participation and charge participation? Either way, choosing a gallery space that requires an entrance fee feels counterintuitive when considered alongside the satirical content of Parr’s work. Maybe it was intentional. To help make this an accessible, broad-based participatory experience, this article provides extra space for anyone with an internet connection to comment.
The Martin Parr: Think of Scotland exhibition will be on display at Pollok House until Sunday 27 August 2023 and is available for viewing from Thursday to Monday.
Main image: GB. Scotland. Glasgow. Place to eat at Paddy’s market. 1999. Martin Parr. All post images courtesy of Magnum Photography.
