Ceci n'est pas une photographie (1723) January 2006 | Another

It's Thursday and I meet the Nomads, Robert, Stewart and Tom at the National Theatre on the South Bank. Our conversation spins off from our photographs and comes to rest in our imaginations. We all feel we've learnt a little today, 'a little learning, and often, is fun', says Robert, in response to a throwaway remark from me about intensive learning in University. I have an image of intensive farming in my mind after Robert's remark, and ponder the idea of organic and sustainable learning for a moment.

I cycle past the Photographers Gallery, in Newport Street, on the way to North London and decide to pop in and check out the books. I come across 'Towards a Philosophy of Photography' by Vilem Flusser. I read through it and recognise a number of 'photography' theories, that emanated from the 70s, being summarised in philosophical language. This philosopher is not just catching up with these previous theories, Vilem Flusser encapsulates structuralism, semiotics, psycho-analysis and early 'post-modern' writings into just 94 pages. I wonder why this book was written, how it will be useful and why it is being sold as 'book of the week'. Later I see the gallery will be having a discussion about the book on February 1st - so that probably answers my simple questions. Time to move on.

I set up my camera to photograph the gallery cafe and 'signpost' this moment/memory. Immediately a member of staff comes over, 'Sorry, you can't take photographs here', 'But, but' .. but the countdown timer is already triggered, I ask another question, allow the timer to finish, and carry on my way. So, This is not a photograph of the Photographers Gallery cafe .. in a post-modern world.

Book reviewed in Leonardo by Sean Cubitt

(1723) Posted on TA 1/26/2006 10:36:13 PM | Comments

1. Posted by robert on 1/27/2006 2:53:03 AM
Hi Tony, thaks for uploading all those photos. Do you think they are all worth moblogging? I was going to leave them in the image library, and put them in a slide show. I see the guerrilla photographer dodged the army again. I like the not-shot of a post-modern gallery/caff.-- Robert

2. Posted by tony on 1/27/2006 3:07:52 AM
Hi Robert .. keeping the pics in the image library and making a slideshow sounds like a good idea. Yep, these artists are very territorial!

3. Posted by twig on 1/27/2006 10:33:15 AM
...Some things never change...You always had the nerve...My whole life is strewn with memories of strange situations and circumstances. And you were there for many of them!
Isn't it ironic that an establishment that lives and breathes ~ exists even through photography ~ should ban it rather than encourage it!
Beats me!
%¬/
Dazed and confused...

4. Posted by stewart on 1/27/2006 10:42:55 AM
I agree with twig, why is photography banned there, anyway you got your shot even if it was only your bag on the seat.

5. Posted by tony on 1/27/2006 12:47:10 PM
Hi twig, over the years this public venue, like many others, has become sterilised by bureaucracy. This space, which is a cafe, could be so much more convivial if they took the 'art photographs' off the wall and opened the space up as a place of continuing conversations, debates and everyday events with a changing plethora of images, but this would be too cheerful and anarchic for the efficient and effective administrators.

6. Posted by tony on 1/27/2006 12:52:58 PM
Hi Stewart, this is an 'art' gallery and to 'qualify' as an art gallery it needs to convey an aura of austerity, in this way the photographs will gain credibility and added value. These items can then be bought and sold through gaining entry into the 'art economy'.

7. Posted by twig on 1/27/2006 2:32:12 PM
Stewart ~ Papa's gotta brand new bag....
Am not gonna buy this one though!

8. Posted by Tom on 1/28/2006 1:07:05 AM
Commodity fetishism? It smells of cabbage.

9. Posted by tony on 1/28/2006 2:10:38 AM
Hi Tom, yep, pictures of sheds in frames selling for lots of money .. that's art .. but the Leek and Potato soup smelt good!

10. Posted by Odon on 1/30/2006 9:09:59 AM
This is curious. The same had happened to me in December.
I was about to shot a exposition of Christmas trees and anothers gadgets.
I just take one shot (and it's on my blog now).
Then someone come closer to say: *You can't take photographs here*
And I like the idea of *debates and everyday events with a changing plethora of images*. I just imagine how all that picts becomes to exist without some cheerful and anarchic thoughts.
But a debate on copyrights could still be more controversial.

11. Posted by tony on 2/1/2006 12:34:15 AM
Hi Odon, I hear so many stories like this with people taking photographs of ordinary things. I think one of the reasons for this is the increasing use of security guards in public places. One of the instructions these guards seem to always get is 'No Photography'.

12. Posted by Neoslv on 2/4/2006 10:32:38 AM
Hi Tony, What a curious story about this shot!. Thanks to share us!. Due to security matter, some "public" places are now restricted to be photographed!. Have a nice day!

13. Posted by tony on 2/5/2006 10:51:03 AM
Hi Neoslv, thanks for that. You're right to put the 'public' in quotes. In London many places that the public can walk through are privately owned and have their own security guards. For instance the area called 'Docklands' is virtually an island of private places with a large private security force. If you try and take a photograph of one of the skyscrapers around there the guards will be onto you very quickly.